A mission to revolutionize higher education
In 2015 Michelle quit her job as a college professor and started her own college.
Michelle is doing her life's work right now, which is exhilarating and terrifying. Her purpose in life is to help others figure out what they want to do with their lives and start doing it. Five years ago, she gathered a group of like-minded friends and colleagues around a vision of what a revolution in higher education could look like. After years of volunteering with groups and non-profits to organize for social impact, (SuperThank, TEDxMtHood, World Domination Summit) Michelle took the leap and Wayfinding College was born in 2015.
She and Wayfinding are still learning as they grow, but they are definitely seeing some ripple effects of change in higher education. Part of our learning and growth process will include a pause after 7 years of operations to reflect and reset (for more info read this).
When not ruffling the feathers of traditional higher education, Michelle can be found walking the Camino de Santiago with fellow Wayfinders (she just completed her eighth pilgrimage!) or relaxing at her tiny home in Portland, Oregon.
“We are humans to be cultivated not objects to be sorted.”
— Wayfinding college Creed
On this personal website, she shares her thoughts from time to time about big topics in higher education and she invites others to join her in this conversation. Help join the movement to revolutionize higher education in the United States (and potentially around the world).
Michelle and members of the Wayfinding College crew on the campus front lawn. Pictured: Ty Adams, Director of Marketing and Communications and Angela Espersen, Director of Experiential Learning.
Each person has distinct potential. Let’s not waste it.
Michelle gives keynote talks and leads workshops on what is broken in the higher education system, being part of a learning community, and how to figure out next steps with purpose that don’t involve a four-year traditional college. She also shares her story of being a female entrepreneur who started a college from scratch.
Michelle meeting with a member of the Wayfinding College crew in the Fireside Room on campus.Pictured: Louisa Mariki, Provost and Vice President of Operations.
Wayfinding College
Located in the St. Johns neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, Wayfinding College is a small, innovative nonprofit community college that was founded by an experienced college educator who saw an opportunity to help fix a higher education system that is broken for many. Wayfinding exists to cultivate curious, resilient and purpose-driven people; to help students choose what they want to do with their lives and support them as they start doing it; to provide a student-focused experience and nudge others in higher education to do the same.