I moved to Canada in 2020 and started working at Dalhousie University in 2021. I have earned my EDI Certificate in 2022 and Adult Learning Fundamentals Certificate in 2023 from Dalhousie University. With a Master's degree in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language and a decade of experience as a dedicated educator, my passion lies in supporting and guiding students towards success. I am committed to providing exceptional administrative support to ensure smooth operations and enhance the overall student experience. 

Fun Facts: I love dancing, traveling, and theatre

How I identify: person of colour, woman, cisgender, able-bodied, daughter, sister 

Clifton Strengths: Harmony, Consistency, Developer, Empathy, Responsibility

Pronouns: she, her, hers

What’s up?! My name is Kaitlin (she/her) and it is my job and my joy to be Dalhousie University’s Career Advisor. I am here to support all Dalhousie University and University of King’s College students as well as recent alumni (<2-years) with topics related to searching for jobs, identifying career opportunities, and making the school to work transition.

Before this role, I spent the bulk of my career studying experiential learning in Nova Scotia and supporting undergraduate and graduate students within work-integrated learning programs. I completed my undergrad at Dalhousie University and continued on to a Master of Science degree, becoming certified as a Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) and Appreciative Advisor along the way.

My professional, academic, and personal path has cemented my commitment to supporting students identify, celebrate, and leverage their skills! Cheering for you!

Hobbies: skateboarding, antiquing, watching baseball (go Jays), and visiting farmers’ markets

How I identify: partner, sister, daughter, supporter, and friend. White, cisgender female. 

Clifton Strengths: Relator, Discipline, Responsibility, Communication, Activator

Pronouns: she, her

Nia MacFarlane: Employer Engagement and Events Coordinator

Hailing from Halifax, I have lived in this beautiful city for most of my life. I moved to Antigonish to study at StFX University, and graduated in 2018 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Honours Leadership & Management. 

Since then, I've held a variety of roles within the higher-education sphere. I'm a published researcher with particular interest in storytelling and the lived experiences of people within equity deserving groups. 

Being able to connect folks with the resources they need to succeed is one of my passions, and I'm thrilled to be able to continue that with the Career Services team here at the BSSC. As Coordinator, Employer Engagement & Events, I hope to enrich our local and global workforces by connecting employers and candidates with their perfect matches. 

Opportunity awaits, and I'm delighted to be part of your journey.

Fun Facts: I love travelling and lived in Spain for 6 months. Music is a huge part of my life and I enjoy singing and songwriting. I love organization and design - my dream would be to restore a beautiful old home.

How I identify: Daughter, sister, auntie, partner and friend. Cis-gender female, white, able-bodied.

Clifton Strengths: Achiever, Maximizer, Relator, Intellection, Positivity

Pronouns: she, her

I was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario and moved to Halifax in 2021. I have now lived in Halifax and attended Dalhousie for three years. I began my studies in the Bachelor of Management program but switched this year to the Recreation Management program. I made this choice because I love event planning and dream of becoming a municipal event planner as my career in the future. I felt the Recreation Management program better aligned with this goal and I am now learning how to best create events to support inclusivity and well-being. I am also VP Events for the Dalhousie Management Society and have found that role engaging and exciting. In my spare time I like to spend time with loved ones, go on long walks, and cloud watch!

Tip for success: Step out of your comfort zone! Some of the most rewarding experiences I have had while at Dalhousie came from taking a risk! I encourage every student to introduce themselves to peers in their classes, join extracurriculars, and attend events, even if you won’t know anyone there! As students, we all have a shared experience and therefore can relate to each other in some way. If you’re nervous, some else is too.

How I identify: White, cisgender, able-bodied, bisexual, settler, friend, and daughter

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Kevin Chabot: Student Success Advisor

I’ve always loved movies and this passion for cinema has driven much of my academic and professional life. Originally from Mississauga, Ontario, I did my undergrad at Wilfrid Laurier University majoring in film studies and communications studies. I went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Film Studies at Carleton University and a PhD in Cinema Studies at the University of Toronto. A SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship brought me to Dalhousie in 2022 where I completed work on my first book which was published in October 2024.

I’ve held many roles across four universities including teaching assistant, course instructor, adjunct professor, research administrator, administrative assistant, and writing advisor. Working directly with students and helping them achieve their goals has been a uniquely rewarding experience across my academic career. I am delighted to continue this work as an academic advisor with the Bissett Student Success Centre and serve the Dal student community!

Fun Facts: I am also a film programmer for the Atlantic International Film Festival and the Hellifax Horror Fest (horror is a favourite genre of mine!)

How I Identify: Brother, son, uncle, partner. Queer, cisgender man, white, able-bodied.

Clifton Strengths: Learner, Empathy, Developer, Strategic, Achiever

Pronouns: he, him

Cass Duffenais: Student Success Advisor

I am originally from Newfoundland but grew up in Ontario. I found my way to Dalhousie in 2012 and completed my Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Sociology and Social Anthropology and minor in Management in 2016. Throughout my degree I held multiple campus jobs from being a tour guide to working in the student union building and loved every second of it. When I graduated, I decided working in higher education was the right choice for me, I love being on campus and feeling the energy that students bring. I worked in recruitment and admissions for a couple of years at Dalhousie before heading to work for the University of Alberta. That is when I decided to pursue my Master of Education in Post-Secondary Studies through Memorial University which I completed in Fall 2023.

Becoming a student success advisor at Dalhousie truly feels like coming home and allows me to do what I love most, which is to help students. I encourage you all to ask questions, lots of them, ask for help and never give up. You have access to so many amazing supports and services as a student and we all want the same thing, which is for you to succeed!

Fun Facts: I really enjoy exploring new hobbies. Some that have stuck around are kickboxing, axe throwing, rock climbing, and softball. Live music, concerts and festivals are how I fill my free time. My dog Miss Charlie is my best friend and sidekick!

How I Identify: Qalipu Mi’kmaw, cisgender female, daughter, sister, able-bodied

Clifton Strengths: Activator, Strategic, Arranger, Positivity, Self-Assurance

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Terra Duncan: Student Success Advisor

As the first member of my family to attend university and as someone who had to rely on student loans, I found the transition from high school to university challenging. When I needed help, I was never sure who to turn to. I longed for a friend who could help me identify my academic and extracurricular interests; someone who could connect me to helpful resources and inspire me to grow into the best possible version of myself. I became a Student Success Advisor so I could offer students the kind of support I wish I had. I want students to understand that anyone, from any walk of life, can achieve success in university through self-reflection, hard work, and tenacity.

Three fun facts: I have visited 25 different countries (and counting)! Wonder Woman is my idol. I am writing a non-fiction book.

How I identify: Sister, Aunt and Godmother of Indigenous, French-Canadian and Irish ancestry

Clifton Strengths: Context, Intellection, Developer, Relator, Learner

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Hayley Gerogiannis: Student Success Advisor

I started at Dalhousie University in 2012, right out of high school, trying to figure out what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be. After 3 years of taking a multitude of courses, I eventually found my way over to the School of Health and Human Performance. This is where I knew I belonged, and finally graduated with my BSc (Recreation) in 2018 and presently hold the title of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).

Since graduating, I’ve held a variety of roles both internal and external to the University. However, once I returned in 2019, I knew I wasn’t leaving! My personal goal is to collaborate as a team in offering support that enhances one's overall quality of life… and what better place to do so than the Bissett Student Success Centre as a Student Success Advisor!

Navigating your way into university can be many things (exciting, rocky, rewarding and nerve-racking) and I am here to support you and help you succeed!

Fun Facts: I have been curling for 20 years; The Backstreet Boys > N’Sync; iced coffee is the superior drink.

How I Identify: White, cis-gendered, able-bodied, queer woman, Maritimer, Wife, sister, daughter

Clifton Strengths: Includer, Consistency, Harmony, Positivity, Relator

Pronouns: she. her. hers.

Sarah Ready: Manager, Student Success Advising

I found my way to Dalhousie from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and came in as a new student from high school. I found an interest in the science of the human body and graduated with a Kinesiology degree in 2009. Throughout my undergraduate degree, I worked and participated in extracurricular activities on campus. Through this, I found a passion for working to support students transitioning to university. I started professional roles in Student Affairs after graduation to continue to support students. 

With my background working in Student Affairs, I understand there are a variety of factors that affect student success. I want to work with you to create a plan for your time at Dalhousie that is reflective of your dreams and aspirations. With that in mind, I want to ensure that you are connected with the supports that work for you to achieve success towards your goals.

Fun Facts: In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching sports. I spent almost 12 years of my life living in residence buildings.

How I identify: cisgender female, daughter, sister, able-bodied

Clifton Strengths: Positivity, Developer, Empathy, Achiever, Arranger

Prounouns: She, her, hers

Catherine Robertson: Student Success Advisor

I grew up in a small village in England and moved to Canada when I was 18 to start at Dalhousie University. I studied at Dal for 5 years and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and a minor in Psychology. Through my volunteer and work experience, I realized that I was keen to support students, their mental health, and their journey at university. During my undergraduate degree and once I graduated, I worked in higher education supporting students.

A student's transition to university and journey there can be exciting, rewarding, and fun but also challenging. I want to support you on that journey and help you be successful in whatever way that looks to you.

Clifton Strengths: Learner, Ideation, Intellection, Achiever, Arranger

Pronouns: She, her, hers