Michelle Solomon has been employed with the Centennial College since 2012.
She currently holds the title as the Community Outreach Coordinator, which focuses on Women interested in non-traditional careers. Prior to that role she has held the title of Success Advisor for the Centre for Legal and Administrative Studies programs within The Business School supporting current students, from program start to graduation.
Michelle's career at the College, started when she quit her full-time job and became a student herself to reach career goal she had detoured from due to life challenges and circumstances. Although she was a full-time student, she needed to work to assist with supporting her young family. She became a student ambassador, an opportunity for students to work while they study. She worked hard to complete the advanced diploma in the Child and Youth Care program, successfully earning high honours with a distinction in leadership at the time of graduation.
Michelle's ambassador role gained her recognition from the Associate Registrar of Enrollment Services, as she demonstrated skills that provided her a new opportunity to work as a scheduler with the Enrolment Service Team, during her summer break while she continued on her own academic goals. After graduation, she remained part time working to expand her learning about student resources and support with Centennial College, also continuing to build on her experiences in the Scarborough community as a confident Child and Youth Worker, working in residential treatment, a high school day treatment program and a multitude of community outreach roles.
Michelle's passion for helping others allowed her to lean into a career as a Child and Youth Worker building 10 plus years of experience supporting youth with different capacities and needs, in community-based programs and within a Post-secondary institution.
These experiences have led her to be recognized as a leader to those looking to start creating their paths, on the teams she worked with, and in her own life's journey from recognizing challenges as she has taken every opportunity available to help her grow in her career and personally. She takes a strength-based approach alongside the learners and students she serves guiding their way to identify their individual goals, take on challenges, facing barriers to access post-secondary education and identifying successful pathways to establish a sustainable successful career.
She believes everyone's journey is filled with great learning for everyone that walks within the circle of care created where needed and that it "takes a village" to help youth identify strengths, discover who you are, and that we must truly listen before we offer guidance and assistance. Reflect for learning and growth, to build life skills in the good and not so great experiences that occur in life. Take time exploring each option and opportunity available. Leading with a compassionate heart, gratitude, the knowledge and understanding that no journey takes the same path, she loves her career supporting others as they determine the pathways to define their individual's academic and career success.