TSE Showcase
Susan Willis Chan
Course Instructor | Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Program
Susan Willis Chan is a course instructor in the Trent School of the Environment's Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Program. She began her teaching career as a high school environmental science and biology teacher. She has been teaching at Trent since 2014 and for many years at Fleming College in the Sustainable Agriculture Program. Outside of teaching, Susan is passionate about educating community farmers, beekeepers and gardening groups about pollinators.
Courses
SAFS-ERSC 2360H: Agriculture and Agricultural Alternatives
Research & Teaching Interests
Susan’s research focuses on crop pollination, the effects of pesticides on pollinators, and the use of biological control methods to replace pesticide use on farms. Aligning with her research, Susan is passionate about teaching courses in sustainable agriculture and environmental topics related to agriculture.
What are you most excited for your students to learn or experience in your course(s)?
Susan is most excited when students learn new perspectives that allow them to view agriculture in a more balanced and realistic way. She loves to connect students with real farmers of many different kinds so that they can gain first-hand knowledge and ask questions.
Highlights of Teaching in Trent School of the Environment
Susan’s highlights of teaching with the School of the Environment are associated with interacting with students in her courses or on research projects.
“Having the privilege of interacting with students shows me that there is a lot of hope, a lot of determination, and a lot of intelligence that manifests itself in so many interesting ways. I'm delighted to be a part of that!” - Susan Willis Chan
Benefits of Learning at Trent School of the Environment
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The small class sizes at Trent allow students to interact directly with their instructors.
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The kindness and friendliness of Trent faculty and staff. Susan believes that when students feel comfortable and at home, it sets them up to engage with their studies and to excel.
Advice for Trent School of the Environment Students
Engage with your studies seriously. Ask hard questions of both yourself and others. Open your heart to new people and new perspectives--seek them out. Most of all, use your mind to tackle impossible questions and render them possible. Dare to dare.
