Since arriving to Mohawk in 2011, Rouxanne Irving ’12 found her place in the International Department working first in the on-campus employment program as a student and now as the Coordinator of Admissions. 

Having been an international student herself, Rouxanne Irving ’12 knows what it’s like to be in a new country while trying to succeed and further her education. She graduated from the Business – Accounting program in 2012 and is now the Coordinator of Admissions in the International Department at Mohawk. 

When Irving first arrived in Canada from Jamaica, she had not intended to work in the International Department. “I came to Canada as an international student to pursue studies in business accounting,“ she says. “What started out as a part-time job opportunity in the International Department, ended up becoming my passion.“ 

Working in the accounting field may have been her initial goal, but Irving found herself drawn to help international students. “It can be scary to move to a new country,“ she says. “I can relate to what new students are experiencing because I was once there myself,“ Irving continues to grow and expand in her role by assisting new students to familiarize themselves with life in Canada and within the Mohawk community. 

In her spare time, Irving volunteers in the community—she is the vice-chair of Global Hamilton Connect, an organization that helps international students and immigrants settle into Hamilton and assists them with getting to know the various supports and services the city has available for them. 

Her role is only one of many roles to support these students. The International Department provides services for students who are learning English. The Language and Culture Centre (LCC) organizes events such as Diwali, Lunar New Year, orientations and open houses. There is a coffee club that is open to all students and staff run by the International Services team. 

Immigration workshops and info sessions are available as well with key people invited to campus to present information to students. The Admissions team manually vets, processes and issues offers, ensuring the correct documentation has been submitted. Mohawk also employs Market Specialists, international recruiters who work in specific regions and travel abroad to talk about the college and what it has to offer. “We are all different parts to the puzzle,“ says Irving. 

At first, Irving was heading down one path but, through her time at Mohawk and within the Hamilton community, she changed paths to make an impact in students’ lives. Irving shares, “I’ve paid the fees. I’ve had to go find places to eat. I had to make new friends. I’ve lived the life of an international student. I had to make all those decisions and find out what made my life comfortable here. It feels good that I can now share that information with others.“ 

This story was originally published in Spring 2019 of the Mohawk Alumni In Touch magazine.

By: Shanine Cook ’19