Indigenous students in local Catholic schools are receiving additional support to help them graduate and find post-secondary success now that the Catholic school board has hired someone to help them define and achieve their goals.

 Fawne Lomascolo recently began her role as the Indigenous Success Coach for the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board.

 “The focus is on academics, but also providing life skills and coping mechanisms to help Indigenous students thrive in all aspects of life,” said Lomascolo, who most recently was working as a social worker supporting families and students in Calgary, Alberta. “I really enjoy the one-on-one aspect with students, empowering them, making them feel safe and heard.”

 A graduate of the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Education, Lomascolo is also a member of the Red River Métis Nation in Manitoba.

 As the job title suggests, Lomascolo said her goal will be to help Indigenous students find success beyond graduating. Specific roles in her new position will include mentorship and goal-building; supporting course credit and community services accumulation; navigation into secondary to post-secondary life; increasing student well-being; addressing barriers and gaps; promoting school engagement and developing leadership skills; and, empowering students to advocate for themselves.

 “We’re delighted that Fawne has joined our team and we believe that she’s going to provide excellent support for Indigenous students in our schools,” said Director of Education Emelda Byrne. “We’ve already seen some very positive results with the two Graduation Coaches for Black, African, and Caribbean students that we hired several years ago, and we expect that Fawne’s impact will be just as meaningful.”

 Lomascolo said when the position became available, it “spoke” to her.

 “It felt like I was going full circle,” said Lomascolo, who spent time working in the Turtle Island Aboriginal Education Centre while attending the University of Windsor. “While I have learned and grown so much during my time away, I am grateful to be back in Windsor and to be able to continue to do the work I love. I pride myself on making connections and creating space for others to be seen and heard. I am an advocate for the people who I support and always encourage them to advocate for themselves. I am excited to start in this position and reconnect with this community and continue to grow.”