Luminara launchpad

Navigating Success at University and Beyond
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Ages: 16-22

Dates: TBD

Are You:
Transitioning from High School to University?
Entering the Professional World?
Struggling to Navigate Change?
Eager to Develop Your Soft Skills?
Struggling with Time Management?

If any of these apply, the Luminara LaunchPad workshop is designed to help you excel!

Program Outline

Overview

Building the skills to support your personal and professional growth:
- Navigate change
- Cultivate Emotional Intelligence
- Build effective communication
- Enhance your ability to work in teams
- Implement effective time management strategies
- Enhance leadership opportunities.

Our Price Includes:

Interactive Discussions & Role-Plays

Engage in real-life scenarios to enhance understanding and application of communication and leadership theories.

Workshops

Learn and implement strategies to effectively balance academic, personal, and professional commitments.

Personal Action Planning

Develop personalized action plans to apply the acquired skills in real-world settings.

Expert Panels

Gain insights from industry leaders sharing their experiences and tips on transitioning smoothly into professional roles.

Key Learnings/Takeaways

Learn strategies to manage and thrive in changing environments, essential for navigating transitions from school to university or into the workforce.

Develop a deeper understanding of EQ components such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills, which are crucial for effective leadership.

Gain proficiency in clear and persuasive communication tailored for both academic and professional settings, enhancing your ability to convey ideas effectively.

Enhance effective team collaboration by understanding and applying roles within diverse groups to achieve common goals.

Acquire practical techniques to better manage your time, balancing academic, personal, and professional responsibilities efficiently.

Learn how mastering these soft skills enhances your leadership potential. Discover how great leaders leverage these skills to understand and empower their teams, effectively navigating challenges and steering projects to success.

Benefit from the experiences and advice of successful professionals during expert panel discussions, providing real-world perspectives on career progression.

Our Facilitators

Testimonials

Reviews From Happy Learners

We’re dedicated to empowering our youth with holistic, practical skillsets to navigate tomorrow’s world. Here, you’ll discover inspiring stories from our students and parents, highlighting the transformative impact of our educational approach.

    Parent

    5 star google review

    My two children and their friends attended the March Break Essential Life Skills program and they all enjoyed and benefited from the learning and the experience. This unique soft skills camp is very high quality and was just as promised. The entire camp was thoughfully organized with detailed updates and communication with parents each day. I was very impressed by Michelle, the guest speakers, and staff on their professionalism and passion for shaping young minds with the essential soft skills needed to succeed in today's world.

      Parent

      Feedback survey

      I was a bit anxious that xx would find it boring since the camp agenda was workshop-looking, but his first word when I asked how his first day was was "awesome!

        Student

        Feedback Survey

        I really loved the leadership activity. It was eye-opening for me. This has been fun!

          Parent

          Feedback Survey

          He enjoyed your camp very much and we look forward to joining your camp in the next opportunity when it comes up.

            Student

            5 star google review

            Luminara Academy has truly been a transformative experience for me. Not only did I have a fantastic time with my friends, but I also learned invaluable life skills that will stay with me forever. I would highly recommend Luminara Academy to anyone looking to not only have a great time but also to grow as an individual. Thank you, Luminara Academy, for the unforgettable experience!

              Parent

              Feedback Survey

              My boys have many great things to say about the camp and they really enjoyed the experience! It was very well organized and I was so impressed with the parent communication experience and also the gift bag materials.

                Student

                Feedback Survey

                I enjoyed matching shapes, blindfold puzzle, bubble soccer.

                  Parent

                  Feedback Survey

                  Thank you for the detailed, thoughtful and well organized one week camp offered to XX. I appreciate all the effort you put in. I am very fortunate to find your program. I am sure we will send xx back in the future. Interested to know about your summer camp and many more you can offer.

                    Parent

                    Feedback Survey

                    Luminara offers a uniquely essential course focusing on emotional quality, a rare find in today's educational systems. The camp is meticulously organized, with careful attention to detail and personalized experiences. Michelle and her team elevate the experience by sending thoughtful daily briefings to parents, providing peace of mind and tailoring every detail to meet the specific needs of each student. My son thoroughly enjoyed his time there, and I would highly recommend Luminara to anyone who hasn't yet tried it.

                    Copyright © 2024 Luminara Academy

                    As the driving force behind Luminara Academy, Michelle Machado,  brings nearly two decades of global academic and senior leadership experience from multiple world-renowned universities across Australia, Hong Kong, UK and Canada. These include Deakin University, University of Melbourne and Monash University (Australia), University of Hong Kong, University of Birmingham (UK), University of Warwick (UK), Schulich School of Business (York University Canada) & School of Medicine (Toronto Metropolitan University). 

                    Her unique insights into the educational, academic, and administrative processes serve as an invaluable guide for aspiring students and professionals across all disciplines. Michelle is committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders with the ‘soft’ but core skills necessary to succeed and lead in tomorrow’s world. Don’t miss the chance to benefit from the insights of a seasoned global educator, right here in Toronto! 

                    Michelle holds an MBA and a Ph.D in Education. 

                    Hollis Sinker is the Executive Director of Schulich’s Centre for Career Design where she leads a diverse team of professionals committed to empowering Schulich students and alumni with the requisite skills and perspectives necessary for achieving success in their careers. With a tenure dating back to 2016, she has held various senior positions within the faculty, initially specializing in recruitment and student service leadership roles within the division of Student Services & International Relations.  

                    Prior to her transition to higher education, Hollis’ early career spanned the experiential and sponsorship marketing industry, where she worked with clients such as TD Bank, Coca-Cola, and Sony Pictures. She also had the pleasure of helping corporate teams stay connected, engaged, and performing at their highest potential via her role at The Second City Works, the corporate education and entertainment arm of the world-renowned Second City comedy theatre. 

                     

                    Hollis holds an MBA (2015) from Schulich and an HBA (2008) from the Ivey Business School. 

                    Robyn Parr is the Executive Director, Office of Vice-Provost, Students at the University of Toronto. She has spent more than 20 years in the education and non-profit sector with roles spanning change management, student policy, admissions and recruitment, and an executive level role at Canada’s top university. Robyn has served in multiple officer positions, including President, of the Ontario University Registrars’ Association (OURA).

                    Her diverse experiences working with students and youth is rooted in her belief that everyone can add value and make a positive impact on others.  Robyn enjoys helping people thrive as leaders and draws from her own experiences of resiliency to teach others. 

                    Robyn is known to be a dedicated change leader who lives by her values, while consistently prioritizing the student experience.

                    She has an MA (Leadership) from the University of Guelph, is a Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt practitioner.

                    Colleen Stevenson is an Academic Coach and the founder of Choose your University, where she works with future and current university students as they make decisions and level up their skills for university success.

                    Prior to starting CYU, Colleen worked in student affairs, including academic advising, scholarships and awards, admissions and curriculum development.

                    She brings over 15 years of experience in this space. Currently, Colleen works with students and their supporters to provide a more compassionate and less stressful start to University.

                    She is also currently pursuing her PhD in higher education at the University of Toronto. 

                    Meet Abena Perryman, half of the visionary force behind Andrew Perry Marketing. As a Managing Partner, Personal Brand Strategist, and Speaker, Abena brings over 25 years of experience in guiding purpose-driven organizations through the ever-changing landscape of business and branding.

                    Abena’s impact also goes beyond the boardroom. She’s a passionate advocate for social change, drawing from her own family’s experiences to spark meaningful conversations about race and identity.

                    Her son’s hockey journey and encounters with racism, inspired the poignant children’s book “I Am Big” by award-winning children’s author Itah Sadu, sharing a powerful message of resilience and empowerment.