Meet Our Recruiters: Michelle McLaren

Michelle McLaren is a Student Recruitment and Engagement Coordinator who serves the Brampton, Hamilton and Caledon areas. Before joining Sheridan as a recruiter, Michelle spent nearly 10 years working in various roles within Sheridan’s Continuing and Professional Studies (CAPS), including as a customer service specialist, program support specialist and manager of academic operations. She has a Psychology degree and enjoys helping people identify the next steps that help unlock their future.

What type of work do you do in your role?

I help prospective students explore their pathways and make sure they have access to the education and supports they need to reach their goals. For many students, there are real concerns about affordability, what financial and academic supports are available, and even what their future will look like after graduation. They want to know that the investment they’re making in their education will lead to meaningful opportunities, and I’m here to help them navigate those questions and make informed decisions about their next steps.

In the fall, I work primarily with Grade 12 students as they begin making decisions about their next steps after high school. In the winter and spring, I work more closely with Grade 11 students to help them start exploring their options and thinking ahead about their future. Throughout the year, I also support adult learners through advising and community outreach — people who are looking to upskill, reskill, change careers, or pursue a new direction through education.

How do your experiences in CAPS and understanding of psychology inform your work?

In my career, I've met with folks in all different stages and from different walks of life. No two conversations are ever the same. I recognize that a student exiting high school has different concerns than a newcomer to Canada or a mature learner looking to pivot careers. I'm ultimately helping people find a program fit for them and ensuring they feel supported every step of the way.

“When I'm working with students and community partners, it's about being able to not only connect with them on a personal level but to also show empathy because our situations are all different.”

Psychology is about understanding people. When I'm working with students and community partners, it's about being able to not only connect with them on a personal level but to also show empathy because our situations are all different. By being patient and understanding, allowing them to share their stories, I can help them find their pathways and show them how education can help.

Do you have a favourite success story from over the years?

There was a special one earlier this year that is near and dear to my heart. It was a student who did the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) program through Sheridan and was having a difficult time in math, so he was prepared to write off plumbing even though he enjoyed it.

It's not easy to get into OYAP, so the fact he was able to accomplish that already said a lot. I was able to connect with him and his mother and made them aware of the tutoring we have specifically for our trades programs as well as our accessible learning services. He ended up applying to the program, got accepted, and he's now grateful that he didn't write off plumbing as a career just because of that one set back with a math course. Just because you struggled in one course doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t keep going, especially when there are so many supports available to help you succeed.

What do you emphasize about Sheridan when speaking to prospective students?

There are a lot of colleges across Ontario, including many within the GTA, and we offer a lot of similar programs. I think one of the biggest differentiators is how those programs are delivered and, just as importantly, who is teaching them.

Our faculty genuinely care about student success. If I can’t answer a prospective student’s question, I can often connect with a faculty member who will jump on a Teams call or respond to an email within 24 hours. They make the time to support students and help them feel confident about their next steps.

Recruitment isn't just our team, it's the entire institution. I can attest to that as a former Sheridan student as well. When I took our Project Management certificate program, I saw the faculty's energy, expertise and passion for student success — and that was in evening classes with part-time professors who work day jobs but come in with lots of energy because they're so passionate about teaching.