You Belong Here

Fostering Inclusion and Wellbeing 

Looking for new community connections and supports for your academics and wellbeing? 

  • Do you identify as 2SLGBTQ+? 
  • Are you a mature student (21+)? 
  • Are you the first in your family to go to university? 
  • Are you Indigenous? Black? Racialized? 
  • Are you a student with a disability? 
  • Are you a student in the Degree Progression Pathway Program? 
  • Are you experiencing challenges in transitioning to university? 

If you answered yes to one or more of those questions, You Belong Here (YBH) is designed to support you!

You BELONG Here  Icon of map with traill and location points

Welcome to a space and community built for you. Make connections to new people and helpful resources. Acknowledge hard truths in order to build bright futures. Learn practical tools and tips for academic success and wellbeing.  

Students who self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+, Indigenous, Black, racialized, mature, or first in family at university, or who have a disability can experience extensive barriers accessing, staying in, and completing postsecondary education.  Your student needs and contexts are complex; you deserve holistic and proactive approaches to connecting with community and becoming familiar with available supports and resources.  

Belonging is an integral component of academic success; a sense of true belonging can have a significant positive impact on students and their experiences at university, while a lack of belonging can have a significant negative impact. This collaborative initiative developed by Academic Advising, Academic Skills, and Student Affairs offers rich and multi-faceted programming that addresses intersecting elements of student belonging and wellbeing as well as academic retention and success.  

Program Description 

Designed to support students’ well-being and academic success at Trent, YBH includes a program of interactive group sessions with peer and Trent staff facilitators, individual appointments with Academic Advising and Academic Skills, regular email check-ins and 1-on-1 meetings with YBH Community Connectors (upper year students with shared lived experience).  Group sessions are offered in-person and remotely. 

Join us for topics that speak to you. Want to connect with other students and receive updates on You Belong Here? Complete this form to be added to our contact list.

Winter 2023 Schedule

Dialogue & Social Event: Hard Truths and Bright Futures (Winter Term Launch)

  • Identifying challenging contexts of postsecondary education and strategies for transforming individual and collective experiences for the better. Discussion moderated by Adam Guzkowski, Gzowski College Academic Advisor. Joining the discussion are Trent faculty, staff and students, including Dr. Karleen Pendleton Jimenez, Associate Dean of Trent Durham and faculty in the School of Education.
    • Thursday, January 26, 5:00-6:00 pm, The Seasoned Spoon
  •  
  • Building community and fostering belonging, wellbeing, and academic success.
    • Feb 1 and Feb 2
  • Open topic, student-only chat and social space; discuss anything and everything related to belonging, well-being, and academic success!
    • Feb 8
  • Exploring personal and social contexts that impact your studies and ways to thrive in those contexts.
    • Feb 15 and Feb 16
  • Ways in which postsecondary education can transform individual lives and broader communities and contexts. Discussion moderated by Adam Guzkowski, Gzowski College Academic Advisor. Joining the discussion are Trent faculty, staff and students. 

CEO-in-Residence Events

Trent alumna Anita Erskine ’99 (Otonabee College) has been named the 2023 CEO-in-Residence with the Trent School of Business. 

Twice ranked one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Africa, Erskine is an award-winning communications professional, broadcast journalist, television producer and CEO of Anita Erskine Media.

Erskine’s work and leadership have been recognized through numerous awards and honours including the 2017 Radio Host of the Year, 2015 TV Hostess of the year (City People Awards, Nigeria), and 2014 TV Female Entertainment Host of the Year (Radio & TV Personality Awards). Erskine, who was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Ghana, was ranked as one of the Top 100 Most Inspirational Women in Ghana. Her multi-faceted consultancy blends audio/visual content, motivational events, business and entrepreneurship training sessions to empower people, showcase products, and market services of African origin.  

27 February 2023 (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST): Innovation, Inspiration, and Inclusion in the New School of Business (Public Talk)

01 March 2023 (7:15 PM – 8:30 PM EST): Leading Women Speak: What Leadership Means to the Fight for Gender Equality (Panel Discussion)

02 March 2023 (5:00PM - 6:00PM EST): Passion, Purpose, Prosperity; Your place in the World after Trent (Public Talk)

Student Mentorships: One-on-One Sessions with Anita

Individual Supports 

YBH participants receive support through the term; they make strong connections with academic support services in individual appointments with Academic Advising and Academic Skills, which can continue as the student prefers. Participants also receive regular contact with their YBH peer mentor, who can help students maintain community connections and access services and resources that fit their needs.  

Academic Skills Learning Labs - Winter 2023

Winter 2023 Learning Lab Schedule

Register in the Peterborough Events Calendar in the Student Experience Portal

  • Assignment Breakdown: How to Get Started 
    • In-Person: Monday, Jan. 30th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Feb. 1st @ 6pm
  • Research 101: Learn from a Librarian!
    • In-Person: Monday, Feb. 6th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Feb. 8th @ 6pm
  • Study with Skills: How to Prepare for Midterms     
    • In-Person: Monday, Feb. 13th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Feb. 15th @ 6pm
  • Reading Week: How to Plan and Prioritize
    • Zoom: Tuesday, Feb. 21st @ 2pm
  • How to Address Instructor Feedback 
    • In-Person: Monday, Feb. 27th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Mar. 1st @ 6pm
  • What is a "Good" Thesis and How Do I Write One?    
    • In-Person: Monday, Mar. 6th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Mar. 8th @ 6pm
  • How to Talk About Sources      
    • In-Person: Monday, Mar. 13th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Mar. 15th @ 6pm
  • How to Paraphrase
    • In-Person: Monday, Mar. 20th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Mar. 22nd @ 6pm
  • All About Outlining: Tips for Organizing Your Writing  
    • In-Person: Monday, Mar. 27th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Mar. 29th @ 6pm
  • Strategies for Writing Exams
    • In-Person: Monday, Apr. 3rd @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Apr. 5th @ 6pm
  • Test Stress: Tips to Find Calm and Focus in Your Exam
    • In-Person: Monday, Apr. 10th @ 2pm
    • Zoom: Wednesday, Apr. 12th @ 6pm

Interested and want to learn more?

Registration will resume for the winter session in January. Want to connect with other students and receive updates on You Belong Here? Complete this form to be added to our contact list.

YBH is a new initiative; we welcome your input as we strive to improve and strengthen the program! If you have thoughts or suggestions to share, please email us at youbelonghere@trentu.ca.

Resources and Supports for Students

Supports for First Generation students  

A First Generation Student is defined by Trent University as a student who is first in their family to attend a post-secondary institution. More specifically, students who have parents who did not complete a post-secondary (college or university) degree or did not attend a post-secondary (university or college) institution are considered 'first generation students'. 

Rebound

Rebound is a 1-1 peer mentoring program for any Trent University student to connect with an upper-year student to discuss academics or wellbeing.   

College Office

 Each college has a drop-in office that helps students access resources, services and supports,  wayfind physical classroom locations, and connect with college community. Often referred to as ‘a place where you can go to ask anything.’ 

Supports for Black, Indigenous and Racialized Students 

Black Student Support 

Black Student Support is is a safe space for current Trent Black students to come together for support and conversations around their Black experience at Trent, the Peterborough community and beyond. 

Trent African and Caribbean Student Union (TACSU) 

TACSU is a student group under the Trent International Students’ Association (TISA). The group’s main focus is to provide students within Trent (Canadian and International Students alike) with exposure to the cultures of Africa and the Caribbean. TACSU is open to all who are willing and interested without regards to race, ethnicity or religious beliefs. 

Trent Association of Black Students (TABS) 

Trent Association of Black Students is a new student group under the Trent Central Student Association (TCSA) aimed at being a voice of advocacy for Black full-time and part-time students at Trent University and working to promote work in the community that pursues the dismantling of racism and racial inequality within the Trent and Peterborough community. Membership in TABS is open to all students, faculty members, staff and alumni of Trent University. 

African Black Caribbean (ABC) Club - Durham Campus  

Trent Durham's ABC's club offers a space for students of all different backgrounds to explore and express their own personal cultural backgrounds.  

Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1849498728481806/ 

TCSA Indigenous Students Commissioner

Appointed by the Trent University Native Association (TUNA), a student representative that serves the needs and interests of Indigenous students on the TCSA Board of Directors.  Occasionally runs events, campaigns, or initiatives that address issues related to anti-racism and anti-oppression.

TCSA Racialized Students Commissioner

An elected student representative that serves the needs and interests of racialized students on the TCSA Board of Directors.  Occasionally runs events, campaigns, or initiatives that address issues related to anti-racism and anti-oppression.

TCSA Trent Association of Black Students Commissioner

Appointed by the Trent Association of Black Students (TABS), a student representative that serves the needs and interests of Black students on the TCSA Board of Directors.  Occasionally runs events, campaigns, or initiatives that address issues related to anti-racism and anti-oppression.

TCSA - The Freedom Lounge 

The Freedom Lounge is a safe, comfortable, and accountable space for BIPOC and Racialized students to create community, feel empowered, celebrate their lived experiences, and honour their histories. Within this space, we seek to engage students in initiatives that actively dismantle oppressive, racist, and colonial ideologies and practices. 

Racialized Student Therapist 

Racialized students may choose to access brief therapy and related supports from Trent's Counselling Services in the Wellness Centre.  Appointments can be booked online. 

Counselling resources for Black, Racialized, and  POC Students

First Peoples House of Learning 

First Peoples House of Learning offers cultural services to a diverse community of Indigenous learners (First Nations, Status/Non-Status, Métis and Inuit).  Students can find cultural programming, cultural counselling and peer mentorship programming at FPHL. 

Ishkodehwin Mentorship Program 

The Ishkodehwin Indigenous Peer Mentorship Program has been designed to assist incoming Indigenous students in making a successful transition to university life and academic expectations through peer-to-peer support, intentional mentorship opportunities and cultural engagement. 

TCSA Clubs and Groups 

The Trent Central Student Association lists many clubs and groups dedicated to supporting students of various cultural or ethnic groups to find community and connection to others.   

Supports for Mature Students 

Mature Students are defined at Trent University as students over the age of 21. 

TCSA Student Integration Commissioner 

An elected student representative that serves mature student needs and interests on the TCSA Board of Directors.  Occasionally runs events or collaborates with other campus partners to run events for mature students. 

College Office 

Each college houses a drop-in office that helps students access resources, services and supports,  wayfind physical classroom locations, and connect with college community. Often referred to as ‘a place where you can go to ask anything.’ 

Supports for Students with Disabilities

Student Accessibility Services

Student Accessibility Services is a team of interdisciplinary professionals who provide support to students with disabilities through one-on-one advising, referrals to campus supports, and adaptive technology. 

TCSA Students with Disabilities Commissioner

An elected student representative that serves the needs and interests of students with disabilities on the TCSA Board of Directors.  Occasionally runs events, campaigns, or initiatives that address issues faced by students with disabilities on campus. 

Transition Resource Guide for Students with Disabilities

A comprehensive tool to help all students, but specifically, to help students with disabilities arm themselves with the knowledge they need to access resources at college and university and make a successful transition to post-secondary education.

College Office 

Each college houses a drop-in office that helps students access resources, services and supports,  wayfind physical classroom locations, and connect with college community. Often referred to as ‘a place where you can go to ask anything.’ 

Supports for Degree Progression Pathway 

This pathway is offered as an alternative for students who do not meet traditional admission requirement for a Trent degree program, to provide them with an opportunity to best prepare them for full entry to, and success with, a full degree program. After completing 2.0 credits and fulfilling progression requirements, students in this pathway may select a major/joint majors and continue in this program or move into another degree program. 

Admissions Assistant, Access and Inclusion

A student mentor is assigned to every DPP student upon entry to the program. 

Rebound

Rebound is a 1-1 peer mentoring program for any Trent University student to connect with an upper year student to discuss academics or wellbeing.   

Enrolment Advisor, Access and Inclusion

A professional staff member who monitors the status of Degree Progression Pathway students. 

Academic Advising

Work with an academic advisor to develop educational plans for achieving your personal and academic goals while developing the skills and commitment to become a more engaged, self-directed learner and decision-maker.  

Supports for 2SLGBTQ+ Students 

An initialism that stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning people.  This acronym is sometimes used interchangeably with the term ‘queer’ which is an umbrella term referring to all peoples who identify as marginalized gender, sexual and romantic identities.   

Trent Queer Collective 

The TQC is a student group that focuses on organizing events that create social safer spaces for queer people.  Their events are great spaces to meet other queer folk in the Trent and Peterborough community.  It is also an opportunity to get involved if you are interested in organizing events. 

Centre for Women and Trans People  

The Centre for Women and Trans People is an organization that runs events that challenge the oppressive ideas, actions, institutions and systems that impose limited understandings of sex and gender, and reproduce sexism, cisprivilege and transphobia.  They are a great organization to volunteer with or attend any of their social justice events such as Self-Love Week in February. 

Two Spirit Program Coordinator  

The Two Spirt Program Coordinator in the First People’s House of Learning connects with Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer students at Trent to share cultural teachings and creates engaging, inclusive program for Two-Spirit students. 

Out on Campus  

Out on Campus is a confidential discussion group for Trent University students who are questioning their sexuality, gender identity or are in the process of coming out.  

Trans Peer Outreach  

Trans Peer Outreach is a Peterborough community program that provides individual consultations and group programming to transgender and non-binary people and their families. 

TCSA Gender Issues Commissioner

An elected student representative that acts as a liaison between the TCSA Board of Directors and individuals and groups working on issues faced by women and gender nonconforming and Trans communities.  Occasionally runs events, campaigns, or initiatives that address these issues.

TCSA Queer Students Commissioner

An elected student representative that acts as a liaison between the TCSA Board of Directors and individuals and groups working on issues relevant to the 2SLGBTQ+ student community.  Occasionally runs events, campaigns, or initiatives that address these issues.

Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

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