Growing up in a small rural community, Sierra Punchard (Lady Eaton College) was the first in her family to pursue post-secondary education. When she started her degree, she missed her close-knit family and had to figure out how to navigate university life, but she found something extraordinary at Trent: a “second family” who believed in her, challenged her, and made her feel welcome. It was through these connections and supporters that Sierra was able to carve her own trail.

Now in her third year with the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Sierra has grown into a confident student leader. Her story began in a community with ties to the Napanee/Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, where she developed aspirations for becoming a doctor dedicated to championing Indigenous health equity across Canada.

At Trent, Sierra serves as student president of the Trent/Fleming Nursing Students Association, sits on a curriculum development board focused on decolonization and inclusivity, and founded Dis-See-Bility to better support students with hidden disabilities.

Beyond the campus, she serves on the Peterborough Community Health Centre board and volunteers with her hometown fire department as a medical emergency responder.

“None of this happened alone,” Sierra says. “Trent believed in me and donors inspired me to push further. Every ounce of support said, ‘you belong, you matter, you’re capable.’”

She credits Trent’s First Peoples House of Learning for the support and guidance that helped her personally and academically.

As she moves forward, Sierra brings others along with her, mentoring peers, leading curriculum reform, and blazing a trail for her three younger brothers who also didn't imagine university could be part of their story.

Support from the Trent Fund has helped many resilient students like Sierra achieve their dreams and step into leadership roles that prepare the next generation to change the world.   

“Your belief in us makes futures like mine possible,” Sierra adds. “Niá:wen (thank you), from all of us at Trent and from every student whose future you shape.”  

Support more students like Sierra through the Trent Fund.