Champlain College Welcome

We are a community more than 50 years strong. Proud of our tradition and heritage, the themes of discovery, adventure, reflection and engagement run through all that we do. Some of our events date back to the earliest days of college life and we have many engaged Alumni who help us to celebrate our past while the students of today shape our future. We are proud to continue to build a vibrant and diverse community experience for our all of our student, staff, faculty and alumni members.  

Within our College Office you will find support or a starting point to any question. We have student staff who are trained to assist you with scheduling your classes, an Academic Advisor who can help you navigate your degree and an Academic Skills Instructor who can offer support with your assignments and study skills. We also have a sunny patio for studying and college swag so you can show off your Champlain pride.

Working closely with the Champlain College Cabinet, and the Residence Life Coordinator, the College Office is the place to bring any question or concern during your time at Trent University. Please explore our website or drop by the office to find out how you can get involved with your college. It will make your university experience so much more than you can imagine.

Welcome home to Champlain College. 

Meet our College Staff:

Principal, Tina Fridgen

•   Course Instructor, Biology Department
•   Current Courses: BIOL 3340 - Introduction to Herpetology

Directing my academic research focus to the fields of toxicology and pathology I have gained a wide range of experience within academia as a course instructor for the Trent biology department (12 years), Academic Advisor (5 years), and a College Principal (1 year).  During this time I have enjoyed combining my enthusiasm for learning and scientific investigation with my training in student support services to help students navigate University life and to find their place in this world. 

Through my education, research, and teaching experience I have gained a general knowledge of a wide variety of topics within the fields of Biology and Environmental Science, with specific attention to topics related to herpetology, conservation genetics, histology, pathology, physiology, endocrine disruption, immunology, and wildlife disease. Working in Champlain College and the greater academic community at Trent, I have become fluent with the functions of a university and the policies and resources within. 

I enjoy teaching and always look forward to continue learning through my students.  My office is always open and feel free to drop by and let me know what interests you!

College Assistant, Nicole Sullivan 

I joined the Champlain College Office as the College Assistant in October 2018. In this role I provide administrative support to all members of the college office team in the day-to-day operations of the Champlain College office.

As a current administrative staff member, proud Trent and Champlain College Alum and graduate of the Sociology undergraduate program, I hold a strong, first-hand knowledge of the campus environment including its governance, organization, and the academic and non-academic resources available to students, faculty and staff.  Previous employment at Trent includes Risk Management and Financial Services. 

In my spare time I enjoy our country living with friends and family.

Academic Advisor, Lindy Garneau

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. My pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation (Bear Clan).

My learning journey began at Trent in 2000, when I began my undergraduate degree studying Indigenous Studies and History. Shortly after convocating with a BA(Honours) I began working at Trent as the Educational Access Assistant with Student Accessibility Services (SAS). In time I moved on to new roles such as Learning Strategist and Special Projects Coordinator at SAS, as well as Aboriginal Counsellor with the First Peoples House of Learning and the role of Head of Peter Gzowski College from 2014-18. I have been both a Teaching Assistant and an Instructor for INDG 1010Y as well as an Instructor for INDG-ADMN 3040H in the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies.

I earned my M.Ed in Post-Secondary Studies from Memorial University of Newfoundland. My research focused on the transformational learning experiences of Indigenous women in the university classroom. I am also an Adler Trained Coach (ATC) from Adler International Inc. in Toronto. As a life-long learner and professional coach, my ongoing areas of interest include transformation learning, women in leadership, Indigenous pedagogy in higher education, coaching and storytelling.

Academic Advising Projects and Support Coordinator, Ashley Gerrits

As the Academic Advising Projects and Support Coordinator, I work closely with Academic Advisors in the Colleges to support advising functions, projects, and initiatives across all the Colleges. I will be responsible for monitoring and  responding to the advising email to provide support to students and staff from across the university. In this role I will provide support and coordinate planning and logistics for advising projects and initiatives related to student recruitment, engagement, development, support, retention, and success.                                                                                               

My academic journey began in 2004 when I started my undergraduate studies in History and English at Trent University. In 2008 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a major in History, and completed a certificate in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph. After working in Residence Life & Housing roles at Algonquin College and the University of Guelph, I returned to my alma matter, Trent University, in 2014 to work in the role of College Head of Otonabee College, and most recently in the role as Residence Education Coordinator for Trent Housing Services. My passion for supporting the development of students' in their co-curricular journey in post-secondary studies has provided me with the experience I am grateful to have gained and bring to this role in the Colleges.

Academic Skills, Susan Thompson 

I am the College Academic Skills Instructor. In this role, I work with students to help them refine and improve the academic skills required to achieve success at university. These academic skills range from learning how to use the dreaded comma correctly to developing critical thinking and analysis abilities. I have a keen interest in understanding how students learn and in providing students with the resources and information they need to succeed. I find the role of Academic Skills Instructor to be extremely rewarding, especially when a student’s new skill is applied and results in improved confidence and satisfaction. 

Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies, I am privileged to have completed both my undergraduate and graduate education at Trent University. Before joining the Champlain College team, I enjoyed working as a Teaching Assistant and Course Instructor for the Trent School of Business. In my spare time I enjoy reading Canadian fiction, knitting socks, walking in the woods, and paddling on the water. 

College Ambassador, Cassandra Watters  

I am a fourth year Business Administration and International Development Studies transfer student at Trent. Being a transfer student has allowed me to gain first-hand knowledge of the many resources that Trent offers, which I am looking forward to sharing! By working as a College Ambassador, I am hoping to create connections with students and offer help, anyway I can. Being at Trent has given me the opportunity to be apart of a community that understands, accepts, and supports all their students and staff.

I am grateful to be in a position where I am able to help fellow students in the success of their undergraduate degrees!  

College Ambassador, Adrianna Browne-Richards

I am a fourth year Forensic Science student at Trent. Over the past three years at Trent I have been able to take advantage of the many resources available to students and look forward to sharing those resources with you! Working as a College Ambassador, I hope to form strong relationships with students while also providing a safe environment for them to ensure that they can be successful while studying at Trent.

I am very excited to be in a position where I can help my peers and allow them to have the best Trent experience!

College Ambassador, Jinal Somani

I am recent graduate from Trent University in Environmental Geoscience student. I have been a part of the Champlain College office for the past three years as a College Ambassador and I am excited to here for this summer. I have had the opportunity to work with many students via several different leadership positions and I have learnt more and more about TrentU and what it has to offer.

I absolutely enjoy providing a helping hand to those in need of it and hopefully build meaningful relationships in the process. I strongly encourage students to reach out to the Champlain College office as we are always here for you!