Zachary Brault, he/him
Academic Advisor, Traill College
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science Honours with a major in Mathematics and minor in Psychology (Trent University) and Master of Education (Trent University)
Passions and Interests: Throughout his Master of Education, Zachary found his true passion in student success and equality. He loves working with students to problem solve, proactively plan, and paint a picture for academic success. Outside of education, Zachary loves spending time with his dogs and is an active member of the dog show/breeding community.
The thing that Zachary loves most about working in advising is hands down working one on one with students. Understanding that each student is completely different and has a history that makes them the person they are today. Zachary wants to get to know each student he works with personally so that he can best help them on their academic journey.
Ashley Maschke, she/her
Academic Advisor, Traill College
Educational Background: Bachelor of Science Honours in Forensic Science (Ontario Tech University); Certificate in Office Administration (Fleming College); Master of Education – in progress (Trent University).
Passions and Interests: Ashley is passionate about spending times outdoors – whether it be camping, hiking, or swimming, exploring nature is a daily requirement. Ashley also enjoys spending time with her family and friends, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and watching true crime documentaries.
One thing Ashley recognizes about academic advising is that every student is on a different educational path and will have unique needs and aspirations that they are looking to achieve. My favourite part about academic advising is building a connection with students to individualize strategies for academic planning and to empower students to make informed decisions about where their academic journey may lead.
Beth Needham, she/her
Academic Advisor, Champlain College
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts Honours Classical Studies, (Trent University), Bachelor of Education in the primary/junior division (Trent University); and a Master of Education (Trent University).
Passions and Interests: Beth is proud to be a non-Indigenous ally and Water Walker with Nibi Emosaawdamajig (Those Who Walk for the Water) and has a deep love for the land and waters of Peterborough and the Kawartha Highlands. Her areas of interest include decolonizing organizational behaviour, expressive art, leadership, and learning from the land. In her spare time, she has been known to create paintings, poems, music, colossal messes, and two handsome and very intelligent sons.
Beth finds deep joy in helping students discover, develop, and connect with their own stories as they journey through their time at Trent. Her philosophy of care is rooted in having a trauma-informed perspective that allows students to feel safe and empowered to take the lead. She seeks to help students feel more connected to themselves (mind, body, heart, and spirit), as well as their living and learning communities. Beth is happiest helping students reach their goals and discover their purpose and she feels privileged to have found a home in advising at Trent nestled so close to her oldest and wisest teacher: the Odenabe (Otonabee River).
Melanie Sedge, she/her
Academic Advisor, Lady Eaton College
Educational Background: BA Honours Psychology, (University of Guelph), Post Graduate Diploma in Ecotourism Management (Fleming College), Diploma in Canadian Studies (Trent University) and Graduate Certificate in Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies (University of Ottawa)
Passions and Interests: Melanie is passionate about outdoor pursuits, adventure travel and lifelong learning. When she is not advising you may spot her paddling her canoe, hiking with her dogs, riding her bike or cross-country skiing. She also spends a lot of time driving her kids to their sports.
According to Melanie, the best part about being an academic advisor is the privilege of supporting students as they work towards achieving their goals. It is fulfilling to assist students with building an academic plan which incorporates their unique interests and sets them on a path in the direction of their passions. I love that all students are different and try to meet each one wherever they are in their journey.
Jackie Orsetto, she/her
Academic Advisor, West Bank Colleges
Educational Background: Honours BA in Sociology (Trent University), Master of Arts in Sociology (Queen’s University), Master of Social Work (University of Windsor).
Passions and Interests: Jackie has a passion for learning and considers herself a lifelong learner. Her hobbies revolve around most things holistic as she has completed training in reiki, yoga, yoga nidra, holistic nutrition, and is currently working on clinical aromatherapy. Academically, her MSW is helping her pursue interests in social justice, equity, policy analysis, and counselling.
Jackie loves getting to know students and helping them along their academic journey. As someone whose academic background was in no way linear, she recognizes, honours, and appreciates that every student has a story. She enjoys the creative problem solving and strategizing that comes with helping students navigate their way through the various opportunities and hurdles they may encounter along their academic journey.
Lindsay Mitchell, she/her
Academic Advisor, Otonabee College
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary Studies (Wilfrid Laurier University), Bachelor of Education in the primary/junior division (Nipissing University) and Master of Education in Counselling Psychology (University of Toronto)
Passions and Interests: Lindsay is an avid reader of non-fiction and loves listening to podcasts. She loves to read biographies or books that discuss human emotion and interaction. In her time outside of Trent, Lindsay can often be found hiking with her dog, Chuck, or trying a new recipe in the kitchen.
One thing that Lindsay loves about her work in advising is being able to witness students learn more about themselves. University is a time when students are exposed to so many new experiences, challenges and opportunities and she feels really honored when a student invites her into their experience of self-growth and exploration.
Jennifer (Jen) Walsh-Hopkins, she/her
Academic Advisor, Gzowski College
Educational Background: Bachelor of Business Administration, Spec. Human Resources (Trent University), Master of Industrial Relations (Queen’s University), Master of Education, Student Development & Student Services in Higher Education (OISE, University of Toronto).
Passions and Interests: Jen is keenly interested student development and how post-secondary experiences play a pivotal role in our development as people and members of the communities we belong to and society at large. Outside of Trent, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling around Canada and the world, and watching far too much reality TV.
Working with students to solve immediate issues and plan for the future are some of Jen’s favourite parts of her meetings with students. From recruiting student to Trent university to handing them their degrees after they have convocated, Jen has worked with through all stages of their Trent University journey and enjoys having the opportunity meet with student one on one, learn about their goals for the future, and help them develop a pathway to meet those goals.
Lindy Garneau, she/her
Academic Advisor, East Bank Colleges
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts Honours in Native Studies and History (Trent University), Master of Education: Post-Secondary Studies (Memorial University), and Adler Trained Coach (Adler Learning Inc.)
Passions and Interests: I am a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation (Bear Clan). As a life-long learner my ongoing areas of interest include transformation learning, women in leadership, Indigenous pedagogy in higher education, coaching and storytelling.
As your Academic Advisor I support your academic planning process, including course registration, degree checks and petitions. I also provide coaching related to your academic goals.
Lucy Conolly, she/her
Academic Transitions Advisor
Educational Background: Bachelor of Arts Honours in Ancient History and Archaeology (University of Manchester), Master of Arts (Distinction) Scientific Methods in Archaeology (University of Bradford)
Passions and Interests: Lucy is at her happiest with a good book and a cup of tea, but she also enjoys swimming, cycling, gardening, and playing the piano.
Lucy loves to work with students to provide advice and suggestions to help them meet their academic goals. Having started work at Trent in Admissions, moving into Academic Advising allows Lucy to see the other side of the process and watch students continue their journey through Trent.
Are you a student on the Trent Durham GTA campus? Craig Cameron and Jamie Matin provide academic and career advising on the Durham GTA campus https://www.trentu.ca/durham/academics/academicadvising
Trent International offers advising for International Students with Barbara Castillo-Snook and Jessica Evans https://www.trentu.ca/currentstudents/international/advising-international-students