Assistant professor’s journey comes full circle at Mount Royal University
Mount Royal University alum Gio Dolcecore has gone from sitting in the back of the classroom to teaching in front of it — a journey that reflects their individual growth as well as the transformative nature of their alma mater.
Today, Dolcecore is a registered clinical social worker, a prominent voice in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and an emerging academic leader. However, their path to academia wasn't a conventional one.
With an eye to becoming a police officer, Dolcecore walked onto the Mount Royal College campus in September 2007 as an open studies student shadowing the criminal justice program. They describe the challenge of a “white-knuckling” struggle through learning disabilities, a physical condition and the complexities of discovering their own identity.
Dolcecore was able to overcome their early academic struggles with the help of a support system that included dedicated instructors, the Wellness Services team, engaged community members and fellow students. This network collectively played a vital role in reshaping Dolcecore’s approach to learning.
“The emphasis on compassionate accommodations by my professors was pivotal,” Dolcecore says. “They helped me rebuild my self-perception as a student and instilled in me the belief that I deserved not only education but also respect in the classroom.'"
When the institution evolved to a university from a college, Dolcecore jumped at the opportunity to enrol in the newly established Bachelor of Arts — Criminal Justice program. Excelling in this new academic environment, they emerged as a valedictorian and delivered the commencement speech for their class in June 2011.
Following the completion of their undergraduate program at MRU, Dolcecore realised that a career in policing wasn’t their calling. Motivated by a desire to help people by connecting them with community supports, Dolcecore began to explore different career paths.
This shift led them to pursue further studies at the University of Calgary, earning a Master of Social Work in 2015 and, later, a post-graduate certificate in couple and family therapy in 2021.
Their early career work focused on young adults aged 18 to 29, addressing severe substance use and mental-health issues. Post-graduation, Dolcecore moved into private practice, specializing in areas of sex, intimacy and relationships, while also dedicating time to volunteer work and advocating for universally accessible mental-health care.
Simultaneously, Dolcecore's passion for teaching began to flourish.
They taught workshops and kept a connection with the academic world through roles at the University of Calgary as a counsellor at Student Wellness Services and a sessional instructor teaching a self-developed course on social work practice in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
They also served as a vocal advocate in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, staying active in events such as the annual Dyke and Trans March.
Dolcecore's journey back to Mount Royal is marked by affirmations of their innate potential. With a growing volume of experience teaching at the post-secondary level and through their private counselling practice, mentors saw the potential in their former pupil to take their teaching to the next level.
Dr. Peter Choate, PhD, Dolcecore’s mentor and a professor in the Department of Child Studies and Social Work at Mount Royal, recalls meeting to catch up in a coffee shop. It was during this casual yet significant encounter that Choate saw something in Dolcecore that had always been there.
“In that moment, I saw in Gio not just an accomplished professional but a natural educator,” Choate says. “I told them: ‘You have a remarkable way of relating to people. You're meant to be a teacher.’”
Joining the #WentHereWorkHere Club
When a tenure-track position opened up in the child studies and social work department, Dolcecore saw an opportunity to bring their unique blend of professional experience and personal insight back to the institution that had shaped their early academic career.
After a rigorous application and interview process, Dolcecore received a job offer. This milestone not only marked a significant achievement in their career, but it also affirmed the value of a Mount Royal University education.
In earning a coveted tenure-track position at Mount Royal University, Dolcecore joins a special group of educators who made the full-circle journey from students to assistant professors at the same institution. This group includes esteemed colleagues such as Michelle Briegel, Christina Tortorelli, Jill Thompson and Chelan McCallion — all of whom have their own stories of growth and return.
“The return of these educators to MRU as professors underscores our university's deep commitment to cultivating talent and supporting continuous growth,” says Dr. Pat Kostouros, PhD, chair of the Department of Child Studies and Social Work. “Their stories, collectively, highlight the enriching and transformative educational journey that MRU offers, shaping students into future leaders and educators within our community.
“All of these new faculty members are making impacts in the University with their involvement at every level."
Now at the front of the classroom, Dolcecore integrates their personal journey into their teaching philosophy, prioritising accessibility and empathy — principles that were key to their own academic success.
Their teaching philosophy? Through laughter we learn, through community we grow.
They aim to create a classroom environment where every student feels valued and understood. It means a cooperative approach to learning in which students are asked to personalize assignments in order to take the lead on their own academic journey.
“I will always consider myself a student at heart. Now, as an educator, I’m reminded daily of the values that shaped me here at MRU,” they say. “I firmly believe in the universal right to education, and I’m dedicated to making it an accessible and inclusive experience for all of my students. This isn't just my classroom — it's a shared space for learning and growth.”
Dolcecore is not only teaching but also working with faculty colleagues and others on initiatives to improve accommodation practices and policies. They are part of the newly formed QriTical Hub for research at MRU, marking a significant step in 2SLGBTQIA+ research and advocacy on campus.
Additionally, they are involved in impactful research, including The Glitter Project, which explores children's perspectives on gender creativity, and a study on 2SLGBTQIA+ policy implementation in long-term care facilities.
These endeavours underscore Dolcecore’s commitment to enhancing learning experiences and making sure everyone feels included.
“I am excited to be back at a place that has significantly transformed my life and countless others,” Dolcecore says. “Now I want to give back to this community and offer the same level of support and enthusiasm that I received years ago.”