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Bissett Student Success Centre: 6136 University Avenue, Room 426 |
Phone: 902-494-3077 Email: advising@dal.ca |
Hours of Operation |
| Make an appointment online |
Getting to know our team at the Bissett Student Success Centre
Our staff at the Bissett Student Success Centre come from a variety of backgrounds – just like our students. When you make an appointment at the Centre or register for an On Track program, you can request a specific advisor or we'll pair you with someone based on your program and year of study. We hope to see you soon!
Administration
Sofia Shaikh: Administrative Coordinator
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Sofia Shaikh: Administrative Coordinator I migrated to Canada with my two grown up children & husband in 2020 after living in Dubai for 15 years. I have over 12 years of professional experience providing administrative and operational support, most recently working at Feed Nova Scotia providing customer service to clients. I hold a strong educational background, working as a teacher and administrative support and passionate learner, earning multiple degrees including a Diploma in Computer Science, Master of Arts and Bachelor in Education. In my Administrative role at the Bissett, I provide support to our staff, students, and other university departments. I enjoy connecting with students and colleagues, answering questions and helping them navigate Dalhousie resources and connecting them with advisors at the Bissett. You will find me waiting to help you at the front desk as your first point of contact when visiting the Centre. How I identify: Daughter, sister, mother, aunt, female. Pronouns: she, her |
Career Services
Nia MacFarlane: Employer Engagement & Events Coordinator
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Nia MacFarlane: Employer Engagment 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 |
Brooklyn Malone, Student Assistant - Employer Engagement & Events
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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 |
Student Success Advisors
Cass Duffenais
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Hayley McCabe Naish
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Sarah Ready
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Catherine Robertson
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Together @ Dal- Student Success Advisor
Terra Duncan
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Terra Duncan: Student Success AdvisorAs 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 |
Studying for Success
Jessica Chubb: Studying for Success Coordinator
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Peer Advisors
Joseph Lahey
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Joseph: Peer Advisor I hail from Halifax and have been a member of the Dalhousie community since 2018, when I began my studies. I completed my Bachelor of Arts at Dal in 2022 and am now in the Master of Arts in Sociology program. My graduate research explores how young queer people characterize their coming out experiences, how they think coming out affects their wellbeing, and the place of coming out in queer life today. Beyond my studies, I’ve had the pleasure of working and volunteering in several departments across the university, as a researcher, advisor, and more. My time at Dal has fueled my passion for research, writing, and work that supports my fellow students and community members. Tip for success: Don’t be afraid to ask for help! There are so many people at Dal that are here to help you make the most of your university experience. When you reach out and ask questions, you get the right answers, and the confidence, to move forward and succeed. How I identify: white, able-bodied, queer, son, brother, friend. Pronouns: he, him, they, them |
Brooke Cramer
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My name is Brooke Cramer (she/her). I am entering my third year of a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, with a minor in Law, Justice and Society, and a certificate in Science Communication and Leadership. I was born and raised in London, Ontario, and moving halfway across the country and away from my family was a massive adjustment for me. As such, I am passionate about helping students find on- or off-campus opportunities that will help them find the sense of community they may be missing since moving to Halifax, discover new interests, and gain knowledge of all that Dalhousie has to offer. At Dalhousie, I am involved in several extracurriculars, including the Dalhousie Science Society, the Dalhousie Undergraduate Neuroscience Society, and the Dalhousie Integrated Science Program Mentorship Committee. Outside of work and school, you can also find me fishing, exploring the outdoors, or attempting to pick up a new hobby. Tip for success: Get involved! Dalhousie has so many amazing opportunities, from societies to symposiums, that you don’t want to miss! Who knows, you might find a new interest or make new friends! While attending class and getting good grades may be important in university, so is self-discovery and meeting new people. |
Liv Osmond
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Hello! My name is Liv Osmond (she/her) and I’m a second year MSc. Occupational Therapy student. I’m from St. John’s, NL and moved to Halifax one year ago where I began graduate studies at Dalhousie. As a newer student to the Halifax area, I’m keen on working with others to find spaces and communities that best support them. Tip for success: I encourage all students to reach out for support at any time! There are many excellent resources at Dalhousie to assist with all points of your journey. I look forward to connecting with you and working together to support your success! |
Jessica Liebmann
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My name is Jessica (she/her) and I was born in Germany and moved to Nova Scotia when I was 6 years old. I am a fourth-year student in my BSc double majoring in Neuroscience and International Development Studies. I started my journey at Dal in the Medical Sciences program, but switched to my current majors in second year when I realized I wanted to pursue a different path than originally planned. I understand the struggles of changing academic and career plans and utilized many services on campus to make this transition. Therefore, I am familiar with a diverse range of Dalhousie’s resources. Additionally, I completed an exchange semester abroad and am planning to complete my master’s degree abroad. As a member of the Student Success Centre, I hope to set students up for success and support them in achieving their goals. In my free time, you can find me hiking, exploring nature, café hopping, meditating, or spending time my pets. Tip for success: Everyone works at their own pace! When you’re choosing your academic and career pathway, there is no set timeline for when you need to do things. As you grow and change as a person you will inevitably discover new interests and change your mind. When that happens, it can feel like you’re behind or lost. However, remember that your path is just as important as anyone else’s, so take pride in your accomplishments and goals! |
Simran Arora
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Hello everyone, my name is Simran (she/her)! I am a fourth year Bachelor of Computer Science student doing a minor in Mathematics. Being an international student, I understand how difficult and intimidating it can be to adjust to a new country and to university. I am currently doing my third co-op and am grateful for the experience. Having faced multiple blockers in my journey and overcoming them, I am excited to share my experiences and learnings with my peers. I am actively involved with the Women In Tech society (WiTS) and I am passionate about technology and promoting equity, diversity and inclusivity in the same! My hobbies include cycling, singing and travelling. Tip for success: I would strongly recommend first and second year students to join societies and research about the resources available at Dalhousie. Societies are a great way to meet people with the same interests as you and make some lifelong friendships! Dalhousie offers a wide variety of resources to assist students in every walk of life and aims to support them throughout their journey. |
