Meet the team

Heather Dominey: Administrative Assistant

I provide support to our staff, students, and other university departments. You will find me waiting to help you as your first point of contact when visiting the Centre.

After working for the Cosmetology Association for 10 years, I started my career at Dalhousie in 2004 as a program assistant and finance clerk for the College of Continuing Education. I enjoy helping others, so came to Student Academic Success Services in 2010. Wanting to provide the best experience for students visiting the Centre, I have dedicated myself to providing a welcoming service to all of our students. I have learned from seeking out professional development opportunities, but the best knowledge I have gained comes from the students who have shared their experiences.

I grew up in Middle Sackville, just outside of the city, but now enjoy living in Halifax with my husband and son. During the summer, I enjoy the ocean while staying in Chester. 

I look forward to meeting and welcoming you to the Bissett Student Success Centre!

How I identify: White, cisgender, female, mother, wife, daugher, sister, aunt.

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Heather Doyle: Senior Advisor on Retention & Director Student Academic Success

My entire 20+ year-long career has been focused on helping students be successful at university. When I was a student I was heavily involved in student activities such as orientation and residence life. My university experience truly changed who I was as a person and my world view. After obtaining my master's degree in Counselling and working as a career counsellor, I returned to work in higher education throughout the East Coast and in Ontario. I have been at Dalhousie for the past 5 years, and feel grateful to work with such a positive, strong team who are all committed to supporting you! The focus of my work is grounded in an appreciative mindset, which means recognizing the strengths, talents, and abilities within my team and with students to help achieve the highest potential. 

How I identify: White, cis-gender female, able-body, daughter, friend, traveler, professional, feminist and ally.

Clifton Strengths: Strategic, Individualization, Empathy, Futuristic, Adaptability

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Karen McCrank: Director Career Services

I moved to Halifax with my husband and dog in December 2018 to serve as the Director of Careers after 14 years at the University of Toronto. I am grateful for the various roles I’ve held in Student Affairs, but am most passionate about the work I’ve been able to support in Career Services. When I was in high school, I had a guidance counsellor tell me I wouldn’t get in to university. It was the push I needed to believe in myself; at that moment I knew I wanted to someday be in a position to support people to achieve their goals in a way I hadn’t been.

Although I now have two degrees, many interests, work and life experiences, I didn’t always know exactly what direction my career would take. By following my curiosity, connecting with people who could guide me, and knowing my strengths, I have been fortunate to find roles doing what I’d wanted to since high school – support people in achieving their goals. I’m excited to be a part of Career Services at Dalhousie and we would love to help you with your own career questions.  

Hobbies: travelling, hiking, biking, camping, enjoying good food & drink with friends and family

How I identify: wife, sister, daughter and aunt, white, cis-gender female, able-body

Clifton Strengths: Futuristic, Maximizer, Strategic, Ideation, Connectedness

Pronouns: she, her

Joy Goodwin: Coordinator, Employer Engagement &
Career Events 

I grew up in Shady Spring in the beautiful mountains West Virginia. I went to Shady Spring Elementary School, Shady Spring Junior High and Shady Spring High School. I went to a multi-cultural university in West Virginia, where living with a Japanese student for one year was part of the non-academic requirement for graduation.

I graduated university with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry.  During my time in university I met and later married a gentleman from Shelburne, Nova Scotia who was an entrepreneur. Helping him establish his first distribution company for foliar applications for golf greens made me realize that my dream of becoming a doctor was trumped by an insatiable thirst to learn more about business.

Prior to joining the Bissett Student Success Centre as the Employer Engagement & Career Events Coordinator I was fortunate to have a successful 15-year career in enterprise sales and business development covering territories across Canada and the United States. What I learned at the end of this run was that success meant long hours, significant time away from my husband and two sons, and money was not enough of a driver for the sacrifices in family and values.

Using my experience in employer development in Career Services was the best decision I have ever made.  I can honestly say I have a work-life balance, I am mindful of the impact my work has on our student population, and my role is a reflection of my what I value in life.  It is never lost on me how lucky I am to be a part of this incredible team here at Dalhousie University.

Outside of Work: I’m a simple person. I have really old-fashioned values – my husband, my sons and my brindle boxer Bella are my purpose in this life, and I try to parent and partner mindfully.

Hobbies: Building memories with loved ones through cooking food with local ingredients, going camping with our tow-behind, and engaging with people anywhere.

How I Identify: Mom, Wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and hillbilly, cis-gender female, friend

Amy McEvoy: Career Programming Coordinator

In my 15-year career in Student Affairs I have been fortunate to work in orientation, transition programs, communications, recruitment, learning and instructional development, and advising. Much of my experience has been working with new students and supporting their successful transition to university life. I received my Master's of Education, with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Calgary, and have conducted research in student retention and student satisfaction.  

Like many students, I wasn't 100% sure what I wanted to study when I began my university studies. I explored both Arts and Sciences before I found my perfect academic fit. Now I have the privilege of helping students navigate their university journey and I'm excited to share my knowledge and expertise with them. I work primarily with first- and second-year Arts and Science students, as well as first-year Engineering students.

As an advisor, I am passionate about empowering students to meet their academic, career, and personal goals. I can work with you to help you explore your interests, connect you to resources and supports, and help you develop a plan for success!

How I identify: Mother, daughter, sister, spouse, sports fan, and the first in my family to attend university.

Clifton Strengths: Individualization, Learner, Includer, Developer, Input

Makenna Cooke: Peer Transition Event Coordinator

My first degree is a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Psychology and now I am working on my Bachelor of Social Work at Dalhousie. I’m from a small coastal community just outside of Halifax and have lived in Nova Scotia for most of my life. I completed the first half of my undergraduate degree at a small university in Quebec called Bishop’s University before I transferred to Dalhousie University. As a transfer student, and a student who studied away from home, I know how difficult it can be to get your bearings in a new place and get acquainted to all of the different resources that are available to you at university. I hope to help students like yourself navigate through the opportunities available to you and help with your academic and university related goals.

Fun facts about me: I love biking and I hope to try out some new trails this summer, I have a little black cat named Jasmine, and I don’t think I could live anywhere that is more than a 30-minute drive from the ocean.

How I identify: Cis-Gender Female, Sister, Daughter, Able-Bodied, White, Settler Canadian, Young Professional, Partner, Cat-Mom

Strengths: Relator, Harmony, Connectedness, Arranger, Responsible

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Hayat Showail: Peer Transition Event Coordinator

I was born in the outskirts of Washington D.C. and hopped on a plane 7 days later to travel to the Middle East for a fun vacation. I was later raised in St. Louis, Missouri in the United States where I was privileged to be educated, safe, and happy. I then moved to Beirut, Lebanon where I truly learned my privilege and began giving back to my community. I finished up my high school in Atlanta, Georgia and took a few more pit stops before making my way to Halifax! I am currently pursuing a bachelor of Management with a major in Environment, Sustainability, and Society here at Dal. 

My life experiences, work, and educational background has helped fine-tune my intercultural abilities and my desire to creating a sustainable and thriving community. Chat with me about anything from sustainable development to Star Wars, I’m all ears!

Fun Facts: I have moved 16 times in my life so far! I love to travel and I like coffee with my oxygen. 

How I identify: Arab-American, immigrant, cis-gender, female, sister, daughter, able-bodied

Clifton Strengths: Restorative, Ideation, Achiever, Learner, Input 

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Terra Bruhm: 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

Tyler Hall: Student Success Advisor

As a student success advisor, I enjoy helping students identify their strengths and use them to increase their sense of thriving at Dalhousie. My 10 years of experience with the university in multiple areas allows me to connect students with a wide range of resources so you can get the most out of your university experience—whether it's research, studying abroad, volunteering, clubs and societies, or academic success.

As someone who changed degrees part-way through my education and career goals 2 times, I understand the ups and downs of the university experience and am here to help you navigate this exciting and challenging time. 

Hobbies: Dance, figure skating, board games, cheese making... To name a few!

How I identify: White, cis-gendered male, LGBTQ+, able-bodied

Clifton Strengths: Maximizer, Empathy, Communication, Developer, Positivity

Pronouns: he, him, his

Cheyenne Henry: Student Success Advisor

I was born and raised in Winnipeg. As an Anishnaabe (Ojibway) woman from the Prairies, I would also like to acknowledge the Mi’kma’ki territory I now reside in. I am honoured to be exposed to the rich culture and traditions of the Mik’maq. 

I received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Manitoba in 2004. I spent many years working in community development in Winnipeg’s inner-city as well as academic advising and program coordinating with the University of Winnipeg. I have extensive experience working with urban Indigenous communities and inner-city communities in areas of housing, poverty, economic and community development, adult literacy, and learning and youth programming. I am also a visual artist who has contributed to many community arts projects and programming in Manitoba. 

I am excited to have joined Dalhousie’s Bissett Student Success Centre in the summer of 2017. I believe learning is a lifelong journey, and students come to university to not only gain knowledge and a degree but also to contribute ideas, to inspire and be inspired, connect to peers, and gain new experiences. These are all important and vital part of one’s educational path. I aspire to always provide an environment where students feel safe, heard, and encouraged to seek out and share pieces of their journey with me. I look forward to serving our diverse, progressive and ambitious students of Dal! 

How I Identify: Anishinaabekwe (Ojibway woman), single parent, mother, daughter, sister, artist

Clifton Strengths: Developer, Arranger, Empathy, Connectedness and Responsibility

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Craig Larsh: Student Success Advisor

I came to Dalhousie in 1998 from a farm between Tilbury and Chatham in southwestern Ontario. Ever fascinated with science, I started in the Integrated Science program, which helped me discover passions in physics and mathematics. I graduated with a double major in 2003 and began working in the Dalhousie Registrar’s Office. Over the past 15 years I have coordinated campus tours, gone on recruitment trips to meet prospective students in their home towns and administered scholarships. I was also the manager of the degree audit reporting system (DARS) for 11 years! But of all the roles I have held on campus, advising is my greatest passion. Helping students find the program(s) that resonate most with them and guiding them through the, sometimes complicated, university landscape is so rewarding. I want my students to enjoy the best possible overall student experience.

Three fun facts: I love to curl, take ballet classes & bicycle to work

How I identify: husband, son, brother, uncle, able-bodied, cis-gendered gay man, English-Canadian with French ancestry

Clifton Strengths: Harmony, Achiever, Consistency, Developer, Analytical

Pronouns: He, him, his

Sarah Ready: Student Success Advisor

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

Pat Shappert: Student Success Advisor

I’m passionate about helping you find a path to explore and achieve your life goals. I want to know about who you want to become, with less emphasis on what you want to become.

My experience as a school social worker, study skills coordinator, academic advisor, and accessibility advisor have led me to my current position. Training in applied psychology, career development, and special education help me understand that your undergraduate education is not about checking off boxes to completion, but about promoting both personal and intellectual growth as a lifelong learner.

I’ve been around for a while, so I do have some stories to share.

How I Identify: Elder, spouse, sister, hearing impaired, and Canadian with French ancestry.

Clifton Strengths: Learner, Context, Individualization, Relator, Strategic

Pronouns: She, Her