As a first-year student at Queen’s, Curtis Carmichael knew that he wanted to work full-time with youth from populations that are under-represented on university campuses.

He now has that opportunity as Queen’s first GTA-based Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment representative, who will focus on outreach to prospective students from diverse backgrounds with the goal of motivating them to apply to Queen’s.

He will be advising students on admission policies and requirements, campus resources and services, student life and financial assistance. In addition, he will be building relationships with communities and organizations that serve and support students, who may benefit from Queen’s new First-Generation Admission Policy. The policy seeks to encourage more applications from a broad range of under-represented populations, including students who would be the first in their family to attend university and those facing educational or socio-economic disadvantage.

“This is not just a job for me,” he says. “It’s my passion to give students the tools to overcome systemic barriers. My purpose is to provide more equitable access to education for students from under-represented communities.”

Mr. Carmichael is a Queen’s alumnus (Artsci’16), a former football Gael, and recipient of scholarships and national awards for academic excellence, athletics, and leadership. He is currently completing a degree at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s Faculty of Education. He has volunteered with low-income youth and marginalized adults at drop-in centres, and he speaks on topics such as education, race, privilege, and poverty. He is also the founder of Ride for Promise, and cycled across Canada to raise money and awareness of institutional racism and the stigma of social housing.

“We are looking forward to Curtis joining our recruitment team, enhancing our connections with youth and community groups in the GTA, and talking to them about the opportunities that are accessible at Queen’s,” says Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs Ann Tierney. “Curtis has extensive experience and a strong commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for youth. We are thrilled to welcome him back to Queen’s as we work to increase enrolment among under-represented student populations.”

Mr. Carmichael joins Queen’s on Jan. 15, and will initially spend time at the Kingston campus, meeting colleagues across campus and training.