Our Story
My Academic Family was started with the desire to help everyone successfully navigate university education.
Before My Academic Family came to be in 2022, our founder - Dr. Carly McNamara - spent twelve years learning and working in adult education. Years worth of education, planning, and hands-on experience are the basis upon which My Academic Family stands, and years of hard-work, continued learning and perseverance are what has helped us grow over the past four years.
We have hit many milestones over the years that we are particularly proud of. We have built partnerships with Glasgow Kelvin College, Inclusive Homework Club, and the EMBRACE Enviro Project which we are so grateful for. We are particularly proud of our first PhD student who finished her studies at the end of 2025, and we are always incredibly proud of hitting our goals when it comes to the number of students who we have supported over the years.
The university environment is not the easiest to adapt to, and it can be a huge culture shock for new students who don’t have anyone with university experience around to lean on. We work hard to make it easier for everyone to feel comfortable and capable at university.
Our mission is to empower students, especially those from first-generation, care-experienced, estranged, or displaced backgrounds- to navigate and thrive in higher education. We plan to do this by providing personalised support, inclusive mentorship, and accessible resources. My Academic Family exists to inspire confidence, foster community, and remove barriers: ensuring that every student has the tools and guidance needed to achieve their academic and personal potential!
Our Mission
Our Vision
We envision a world where more students successfully complete their university degrees, feel engaged in the educational process, and take full advantage of the opportunities available to them at university.
Our Core Values
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We believe that it is vital to meet people where they are and working from there to reach their goals.
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We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their own educational goals.
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We always aim to work together in ways that respect each other and honour the value that different perspectives bring. Collaboration means a more considered and more effective outcome.
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My Academic Family works with under-supported populations, which makes it extra important that we make responsible use of our resources and ensure our work benefits the community.
Meet the Team!
Dr Carly McNamara
My Academic Family Founder and Managing Director
Carly McNamara is the founder and Managing Director of My Academic Family, CIC. They hold an MSc in Medieval History, an MA in Adult Education, and a PhD in Celtic. Before creating My Academic Family they served as a coach and mentor to students pursuing post-secondary education in both formal and informal capacities. Carly was born and raised in Central Texas in the USA and has lived in Glasgow full-time since 2016.
Anne Mitchell
Administrative and Programme Assistant
Anne started working with My Academic Family as a volunteer in 2024, before beginning work with us in 2025 in a more official capacity. She has a degree in Journalism and years of experience in art and design, which she uses to make resources and more for My Academic Family.
Our Board Members
Dr Yvonne Skipper
Board Member
Dr Matthew Leeper
Board Member