Education grad grateful for embracing every opportunity

When Philadelphia native Miguel Hurtado was considering pursuing higher education, the University of Windsor's Master of Education program stood out as the perfect choice.

Having completed an undergraduate degree in history at Saint Joseph's University, Hurtado thought his career path would lead him to politics. However, after a positive experience at a local high school shortly after graduation, his trajectory shifted, and he decided that an M.Ed program could be a gateway to acquiring the knowledge and skills for a new career path. Eventually, this journey led him to the University of Windsor.

The University of Windsor appealed to Hurtado for its unique course-based program and its proximity to the U.S. From the moment he arrived on campus, he fully embraced the opportunities available to him.

"I wanted something directly applicable to my career," Hurtado says.

"I sought out great professors who not only taught and supported me but also encouraged me to explore topics that interested me, even if they weren't directly tied to the course curriculum."

The course-based master's program allowed Hurtado to gain the knowledge and theory he was looking for, and beyond the classroom, Hurtado gained first-hand experience working with the women's basketball team through the Ignite program as student director of basketball operations and fundraising. This experience deepened his understanding of fundraising in both education and sports.

"Working with athletes was fascinating. I hadn't done that before," says Hurtado. "It not only gave me exposure to the world of fundraising, but it also made me realize just how underfunded and underappreciated women's sports are."

The hands-on fundraising experience, combined with mentorship from coaches Chantal Vallée and Mariah Chandler, helped shape his career goals.

Recognizing the value of his skills, knowledge, and experience, he turned to the University of Windsor Career Centre, where he learned how to leverage his experience and education in the hiring process, ultimately leading him to his current role at the York School in Toronto as an advancement officer.

While gaining postgraduate and professional experience at the University of Windsor, Hurtado remained deeply committed to social justice. His passion for creating positive change led him to work on several initiatives, including a service-learning opportunity focused on immigration.

Leveraging his M.Ed studies and political science background, Hurtado started working with the Office of Campus Ministry and the Winter Immersion Program at Saint Joseph's University, to help students understand the complexities of the immigration process.

"I think immigration has always been a hot topic in the U.S. and throughout the world, but I was noticing that when politicians were talking about it, they weren't really talking about the actual bureaucracy, because that's not what voters want to hear," explains Hurtado.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to expose students to the realities of the U.S. immigration system."

Recognizing that attending a hearing without proper context may make less impact, Hurtado developed various resources in a variety of media for the students to reference ahead of the court visit.

"There are different approaches when creating resources, but there's also different learners. It was important to provide different media to help understand the process, since it can be quite complex," he says.

In addition to the resources provided, Hurtado organized a Zoom panel discussion featuring an ICE prosecutor, a retired immigration judge, and an immigration attorney.

"For the Zoom call, we had around 30-35 students attend. They were asking good questions and appreciated hearing from three different perspectives," he says.

The students from Saint Joseph will be attending court hearings this month, and although Hurtado is unable to join them due to work commitments, he co-ordinated with the Department of Justice to ensure the students attend a merit hearing, where asylum seekers provide testimony, witnesses, and evidence.

Hurtado's journey serves as a reminder that stepping out of your comfort zone and seizing every opportunity can pave the way for long-term success. His story is one of growth, impact, and making the most of the resources available at the University of Windsor.

He encourages students to get connected with faculty, and to take advantage of programs on campus like Ignite or the Career Centre to gain relevant experience and support in your professional path.

"Find a way to get involved in something that aligns with your career interests. It makes all the difference," he shares.

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