Michelle Aarons

I believe transformative educational opportunities have the power to not only drive change in our students but in our community, workforce, and economy. I work to foster a collaborative environment where students are connected with industry professionals, ensuring our programs are relevant, accessible, and tailored to meet real-world needs.  

Like a lot of our students, my path has been unconventional and I draw from experience across diverse sectors and disciplines. My career began in the corporate and private sectors, where I worked in customer service, finance, marketing, and business development across industries like construction publishing/SaaS and property management. Simultaneously, I dabbled a bit in entrepreneurship and innovation. Now I’m able to bring the strategic and relationship-building skills I’ve honed to develop opportunities for students that evolve with the industries they’ll break into.  

For me, success is personal. I come from a family of immigrants who worked hard during the day and studied at night. I understand the resilience and grit it takes to invest in your own learning and growth. Today it’s a privilege to inspire people to take that next step and make sure they get the most out of their investment. As I’ve watched the presence of women and underrepresented identities on our professional advisory committees bloom, I know that this work is making a difference in providing more people from more backgrounds the opportunity to succeed.  

Our work isn’t just about providing skills—it’s about giving students the confidence and knowledge they need to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to the world around them. My dedication, and the dedication of the amazing team, continues to drive York’s School of Continuing Studies’ leadership amongst employers, educators, and the broader community.