Avion Campbell

Avion's Experience at Humber

Please tell us about your time at Humber College. What was the best part of it?

I knew Humber College was the place for me even before I got an offer to the Social Service Worker (SSW) Program in 2019. Speaking to the Officer of the Registrar was welcoming, and when directed to the Faculty of Social and Community Services, I knew I was in the right place. The best parts of my Humber journey were the one-on-one sessions professors dedicated to us students to ensure our academic success, the opportunity to connect with students from numerous social locations, and the professional connections Humber classes provide through guest speakers and presenters in classes. The fierce competitiveness of my peers and how hard our faculty worked to make sure we gained practical experience to face the professional world were two factors that greatly motivated me. When I completed my work placement at Traverse Independence, I was hired full-time as an Acquired Brain Injury Community Facilitator. I graduated from the SSW program with the Academic Excellence and Commitment Awards. Completing the SSW program grew my passion for providing services to my community. I quickly understood the role education played in making equitable changes, so I furthered my education at Humber College by applying for advanced standing in the Honours Bachelor of Community Development program in 2021. The best parts of the Community Development program are how interactive the courses are and the preparation they provide for life-changing work as a human service professional. The SSW and Community Development program made me a versatile and in-demand professional because I possessed academic course experience in Counselling, Organizational Writing, Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, Transformation Leadership, Program Evaluation, and Participatory Action Research. A fun fact is that the SSW and Community Development Program qualified me to apply to Masters Programs in Social Work and Education. I now possess a Master's in Education with a concentration in teaching and learning.

Please tell us about your experience since graduating.

Following graduation, I accepted the position of Human Rights and Equity Advisor (HREA) at the Bluewater District School Board, with responsibilities of proactively addressing human rights concerns under the direction of four key objectives:

• To foster a culture of respect for human rights by identifying and addressing systemic equity issues and ensuring compliance with the Ontario Human Rights Code
• To oversee the resolution of human rights complaints through the board's internal procedures
• To develop a comprehensive Equity Action Plan that guarantees equal access to resources and opportunities for all students and
• To provide system-level advice, implement relevant policies, and deliver professional development training for staff across the district.

I am currently preparing to apply to a doctoral program in education, and I feel no pressure because of the relationships I have built with my professors, peers and community throughout my eight semesters at Human College. My professors are prepared to provide references and are ready to help me in any way they can to ensure my academic and professional success. I have to shout out to faculty and professors like Bushra Butt, Linda Hill, Christine McKenzie, Johana Magee, Everton Lewis, and Greg McElligott.

What do you find most satisfying about your career choice?

My qualifications and commitment have placed me in a leadership position to drive positive and value-driven change within diverse communities and systems. I love connecting, collaborating, and planning initiatives with a wide range of stakeholders. I live for new challenges, and my career continually presents me with opportunities for growth and development. Reflecting on my experiences at Humber College and where I am today, such as the opportunity to travel with Humber to Denmark (COIL) with fellow college mates to work collaboratively with others, I recognize how these experiences have equipped me for my current role. I am actively involved in facilitating workshops and training sessions with over three hundred participants, conducting research, reviewing and updating policies, and developing new procedures aimed at fostering inclusive educational practices and environments.

I am also proud to be a published children's book author. If given the chance to step back in time to revisit my college and work experience, I would not change a single aspect, as I have immense appreciation for the opportunities and experiences provided by Humber College and my present employer.