Two students from South Eastern Regional College (SERC) have been selected for the prestigious Washington Ireland Program (WIP) Academy 2026.
The WIP offers young people, aged 18-29, who are active in their community, the opportunity to take part in leadership training that will enhance career opportunities and develop skills in presentation, innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Each participant will then take part in an 8-week remote work project with a high-profile US organisation.
Gia Francesca McCormick (24) above left, from Donaghadee and Caitlin Wilson (20) from Portavogie, were selected from hundreds of nominations from across the island of Ireland. Both young women were class representatives when they first progressed to the college, and both currently hold roles in the SERC’s Students’ Union (SU).
Gia Francesca, a Level 3 Access in Foundation Studies student at Bangor Campus and SU Women’s Officer said, “I was absolutely thrilled to be selected for the WIP Academy. We have already had a residential hosted in Armagh City Hotel and it was great to meet all the other participants. It was inspiring to find out about alumnae of the program.”
She continued, “My project is about how the arts can help raise awareness of human rights. I will be working on this with a past participant of the program and an arts organisation. I am excited about presenting the findings of my project and the work placement which comes with the program.”
Gia Francesca is progressing to Ulster University to study a BA (Hons) in Textile Art, Fashion and Design in September. She concluded, “I plan to maximise on every opportunity that comes my way with the WIP and will use the experience to build on my confidence and network. I hope to get involved in the SU when I progress to university and that this opportunity will help me with that ambition. I would encourage every student at SERC to get involved in the SU. I got the support I needed from them and felt I wanted to give back and help signpost others. My involvement has made me feel even more a part of the college.”
Caitlin, above right, is completing an HNC in Social Care in the Community at SERC’s Newtownards Campus and is also a SU Disability Officer. The young woman, who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, is open about her condition and takes time to explain. “I suffer from swearing tics, fully body movements and make strange noises. I feel being open and honest about my condition works best as I want people to understand Tourette Syndrome. It has made headlines recently with actor Robert Aramayo scooping a Bafta for his role in I Swear - and an incident which occurred during the awards ceremony – which has helped broaden public awareness.”
Caitlin continued, “I was delighted to be selected for the WIP Academy. I think the fact that I volunteered for the Tourette Syndrome charity and have been involved with the SU, first as a Class Representative and now as a Disability Officer, all helped my nomination.”
She added, “My WIP project is going to be based on person-centred mental health. I am looking forward to getting on with the project and sharing my findings and hopefully being able to give something back to future WIP participants.”
Passionate about her studies at SERC and her placement with Orchardville in Conlig, Caitlin said, “I love my course placement and have learned so much through this valuable experience. I have really enjoyed the practical side of the HNC and hope to secure work in the health and social care sector when I complete the course. I am sure all the knowledge, skills and experience gained through WIP will be of great benefit.”
Over the summer Gia Francesca and Caitlin will benefit from the WIP mentoring and online sessions with community leaders from across the U.S, Ireland and Northern Ireland. The program ends with a graduation in September in Belfast.
Find out more about YOUR Students' Union at SERC.
We wish Gia Francesca and Caitlin the best of luck with this exciting venture.
