I work on campus, volunteer on campus and study on campus. One thing I haven’t done? Lived on campus.

With an exciting new expansion, that opportunity will soon be available to Trent students in Durham.

Construction is just starting on a new residence and academic building at the Thornton Road Campus. There will be many amazing features of this new addition, including state-of-the-art classrooms, group learning spaces, labs, and an outdoor green space. What I am most excited about is the residence — the creation of 200 residence spaces for future Trent students.

There’s great interest and need among my peers for these new facilities and I’m excited that the new building will allow my fellow students to become more creatively engaged with life on campus, develop further life skills through the experience of living away from home, and continue to be part of a transformative community.

Trent Durham GTA has not only helped me grow my education; it has made me a better person. The university has presented me with several advantages to help build my future.

This expansion is exceptionally important because I want more students to experience what I experience as a student here every day. From the close-knit community atmosphere and professors who truly care about your future, to career-building opportunities and academic experiences, Trent University helps students to realize their true potential and discover a path to reach their goals.

With this new expansion, we can ensure that more individuals in and outside the GTA explore Trent Durham as an option to pursue and continue their education. It will also allow us to continue to offer and introduce leading programs attract even more students across various fields of study. My hope for the future is that even more students will see Trent Durham as their home, as much as it is my home.

— Hema Tikaram is a third-year student in the business administration program at Trent Durham GTA, specializing in marketing and consumer culture. She is also part of the work-study program as a community outreach assistant and the new 2019-20 vice-president of campus life for the Trent Durham Student Association.