Michelle Manks is a Canadian expert on immigration and educational services for refugees with over 15 years of experience. She is the Senior Manager of WUSC Durable Solutions for Refugees programming. Her passion for the cause has been instrumental in the remarkable growth of the Student Refugee Program, which she has overseen with great success.
As an expert for the Technical Assistance Partnership (TAP) initiative, Michelle, alongside WUSC and Andrée Ménard, work collaboratively with the Government of Mexico to strengthen the capacity of the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance (COMAR) representatives to develop better viable, efficient, and gender-sensitive structures, processes, and internal systems.
Under Michelle’s leadership, the program has experienced exponential expansion, tripling in size and impact. Moreover, her innovative approach has resulted in the implementation of self-sustaining funding mechanisms, ensuring the program’s long-term viability and effectiveness. Her invaluable guidance encompasses a diverse range of topics, including institutional and student engagement for refugee integration and the development of legal pathways to protection through education.
Based in Ottawa, Michelle is a trusted advisor to parliamentarians, governments, NGOs, and higher education communities worldwide. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree, a Master of Conflict Studies, and a diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies.