To mark our 75th Anniversary, we are shining a light on some NCI alumni to showcase the amazing talent the College has produced throughout the years.
Marie Boyne, Community Families National Senior Coordinator with the Early Learning Initiative
Alumni Spotlight: Marie Boyne
BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care (2020)
Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management (2024)
Community Families National Senior Coordinator at NCI’s Early Learning Initiative
About Marie
Marie Boyne studied the BA (Honours) in Early Childhood Education and Care from 2016 to 2020, while working at NCI’s Early Learning Initiative (ELI), a service which provides parent and child learning support programmes to address educational underachievement in marginalised communities. Marie continued her education at NCI by completing the Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership and Management in 2024.
One thing that stood out to Marie during her studies was the growth in confidence she experienced through education. She had gained many years of practical experience in the early childhood space but studying encouraged her to recognise the value of the knowledge she had gained over many years working with children and families.
"Being able to connect the practical experience I had gained through my work with theory and research was incredibly rewarding."
Balancing study alongside work and family life wasn’t always easy, but it made completing her degree even more meaningful. Looking back, the biggest thing she took from her time as a student was a belief in her own ability and a desire to keep learning and developing.
Contributing to Early Childhood Education
Having started her career working directly with children and families, Marie now brings both academic learning and practical experience to her current role as National Senior Coordinator for Community Families with ELI.
Her Early Childhood Education and Care studies strengthened her understanding of child development, family support, early intervention and the importance of evidence-informed practice. It also gave her the confidence and knowledge to progress professionally.
The combination of practical and academic experience that Marie has gained is particularly valuable in a national role, where she supports services and practitioners working with families across the country. Her studies helped her look beyond day-to-day practice and think more broadly about quality, programme development and achieving the best outcomes for children and families.
Advice for Returning to Education
Marie’s main advice for those considering a return to education is not to underestimate the value of the experience you already have. For those working in the non-profit or community sector, a huge amount of knowledge is gained through working directly with children, families and communities.
"Returning to education can feel daunting, particularly when you are balancing work and family commitments, but your practical experience can actually be one of your greatest strengths."
For Marie, studying gave her the opportunity to connect theory and research with what she had learned through practice. This helped her see her own experience differently.
You don’t have to have your whole career mapped out before you begin. Education can open doors you may not even have considered and, just as importantly, can give you the confidence to step through them when they appear.
Reflecting on NCI at 75
Marie acknowledged that NCI represents opportunity, growth and community. Her own connection with the College has developed over many years, from studying and completing her degree to working within the Early Learning Initiative, where she now supports children, families and communities through her role.
"What stands out to me 75 years after NCI was founded is its continued commitment to creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds and at different stages of their lives.
I have experienced first-hand how education can build confidence, create opportunities and change the direction of someone’s career."
She shares that it feels special to have started her journey with NCI as a student and to be part of the work it does within the community. For her, NCI is not just somewhere she studied or works; it has played an important part in her own journey and continues to give her opportunities to learn, develop and contribute to the lives of others.
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