CALISSA NGOZI

What brought you to Centennial College?

“You know, I had these idealisms that I was going to work on a cruise ship, or I was going to be a flight attendant,” Calissa says about her life after graduating high school. “None of that happened. Instead, I ended up getting a job at a residential treatment facility, a group home for youth aged 5 to 17.” Even before that, she’d already gained valuable experience working with youth through roles at the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, and Circle Square Ranch summer camp.

“I really enjoyed working with teens and with youth, and I did that for about a year,” she adds. Still, she wasn’t really sure what career path she wanted to take, until a pivotal moment came through a chance encounter at church.

“This man came up to me and said, hey, I talked to your parents, and they told me what you’re into. Have you ever heard of a child and youth worker?” He introduced her to Centennial College’s part-time diploma pathway, where she could continue working while earning credentials.

“That really intrigued me,” she continues. “I looked up Centennial, and I really liked the program that was presented, and how it would fit into my life.”

Tell us about your favourite Centennial College experience?

"There was always that sense of community at Centennial,” she says, “and there was always somebody there that was available to chat through life and just talk about what my options were. Like, once I graduate, where can I work? What can I do? What makes the most sense? Should I look at other modalities? It really helped me hone in not only on my skills, but my awareness of what was available.” That support helped her build both confidence and career clarity, laying the groundwork for her next chapter.

What impact has Centennial College had on your life?

“Graduating allowed me to have credentials behind my name,” Calissa says. “It gave me more authenticity, and people realized she’s not just someone that’s been in the field for a long time, she actually has an education and experience.”

“I'm really making a name for myself in terms of mental health impact,” Calissa says. “And it all started with Centennial College. Honestly, if I didn't have this diploma to give me the foundation, I wouldn't be where I'm at.”

What are you up to now?

“It's funny, because when everybody asks me what I do right now, I say, how much time do you have?” she says, “because I have a million jobs. But really, Centennial gave me the foundation to be able to do everything that I'm doing right now.”

Since graduating in 2010, Calissa’s resume has included:

• Working at the Children’s Aid Society
• Serving as a self-employed youth support contractor with Bartimaeus
• Teaching at Mohawk College in the Child and Youth Worker and Social Service Worker programs
• Running her own private practice
• Becoming a professional public speaker on mental health
• Regular media appearances discussing mental wellness and family support, like this recent appearance on Breakfast Television
• She’s also writing a book, The Oxygen Mask Mindset, offering tools on self-care, resilience, and mental health awareness.

“Even yesterday, I got an e-mail from Global News at like 12:45, asking if I could be on the Jim Toth radio show an hour and a half from that time,” she says, “So, here I am in my car, and they're calling me and I'm answering all these questions about mental health and family.”

Current city of residence

Niagara Falls.