Hello Highlands
Meet Our New Colleagues!
We’re excited to introduce our newest team members.
Get to know them here, and be sure to give them a warm welcome when you see them around campus!
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Shane Rodrigues
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Job role: Work Based Assessor – Electrical
Why did you want to join Highlands?: I came to Highlands as a student while training to be an electrician and it looked like a nice place to work, I got on really well with the lecturers when here originally and I like to challenge myself with new things, so when I saw they where adding an assessor to the team I had to apply.
Are you from Jersey?: Technically yes I am, I was born here but grew up in St Helen’s in the North West of England. I moved here when I was 19 “for a season” and never went home. It’s such a lovely place to live I don’t think I could ever go back to Southport Beach after seeing some of Jersey’s beaches.
Tell us something we may not know about you?: I am a big fan of martial arts, Muay Thai in particular, I train regularly and have competed in local events. I am a family man with a beautiful little girl and I cook an amazing steak.
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Gabe Manthorp
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Job role: Head of University College Jersey
Why did you want to join Highlands?: I’ve worked in college-based Higher Education for over a decade, in some of London’s largest colleges, the UK’s largest college HE provisions, and advocating for college HE at a national level. I could talk all day about why I love college HE. Briefly: the access it offers to HE for people who couldn’t or wouldn’t otherwise access it; its focus on high quality education, experience, and outcomes; and the proximity it offers to both front-line operations and top-level strategy. UCJ, and our context as the predominant HE provider on the island, epitomises these three things. To me, this characterises us as the pinnacle of what college-based HE can be.
Are you from Jersey?: Not from Jersey – I grew up in a small village in the Yorkshire Dales, miles from the sea. Oddly, I’ve got three friends from the same small village who all live on the island. Loving being back in a small village (Rozel – I’ve even joined the village WhatsApp group) but especially loving being about 10 metres from the sea!
Tell us something we may not know about you?: I’m cricket mad: a ‘cricket badger’ to anyone who is familiar with the game. I was Club and 1st XI Captain in the town I relocated here from, and am currently negotiating how I’m going to find time to play out here….
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Holly Howard
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Job role: Childcare – Placement coordinator and assessor.
Why did you want to join Highlands?: I have many years’ experience in early years and school settings and wanted to be able to help support the next generation on their journey into working with children.
Are you from Jersey?: I am Jersey born. I love living on this little island with its beautiful landscape and wonderful people.
Tell us something we may not know about you?: I am passionate about supporting those around me with well-being and mental health. I recently completed my Emotional Learning Support Assistant qualification.
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Sophie Long
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Job role: Catering Assistant
Why you wanted to join Highlands?: I really wanted a career change having worked in hospitality pretty much since I was little. When I used to attend the course back in 2011 and the ladies that worked here were all so lovely and always wanted to help the students and that’s what I wanted to do give back to the students.
Are you from Jersey?: Yes, I am from Jersey and I love everything about it, I like how safe it is like when my parents were working in there old hotel and there is ten year old little me just walking along the front with not a care in the world taking in the scenery, and how lucky we are to live on this island .
Tell us something we may not know about you?: Most of my work colleagues will know I am always singing, so if anyone needs a singer I am here haha! I have represented Jersey in Lawn Bowls against Guernsey and we brought back the trophy last year (where is belongs).
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Mercy Chepkemoi
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Job role: Receptionist at Highlands College
Why did you want to join Highlands?: I wanted to join Highlands because it’s a professional, supportive environment where I can grow my skills and be part of something meaningful. Being at the front desk allows me to help students, staff, and visitors every day, while developing my communication and customer service experience. Highlands is a place that encourages learning and progress, and working here motivates me to keep building my own career too.
Are you from Jersey?: No, I’m originally from Nairobi, Kenya, where I grew up and studied at The University of Nairobi . I moved to Jersey two years ago with family and have enjoyed the peaceful lifestyle and the welcoming community. It has been a lovely place to settle and work.
Tell us something we may not know about you: I love baking cakes! It’s something that relaxes me and lets me get creative. I also enjoy nature walks and discovering new places around the island.