What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent postings from around the Oshawa campus

Please note that in order for the authentic voice of the Trent community to shine, all postings are intentionally unedited.

Trent can re-assure our academic identity and quality to our students, to the community and to the world

It is important that we (Trent) can re-assure our academic identity and quality to our students, to the community and to the world through the project. Initially, I wanted to be on the committee to learn how an institution like Trent would find its position and this is something outside of what I have been dedicated to-teaching and doing research. I am glad that I am on the committee so I can contribute more or less to an institution that I would like to stay. I do hope that through this project, Trent will be more clear what direction to take and further be more widely recognized.

Shaoling Wang, Professor of Modern Languages & Literatures

Epitome Pictures Time to Shine Dialogue Cancelled

Due to poor weather conditions, Trent University has cancelled its Time to Shine event scheduled for this evening, Wednesday, February 27, at Epitome Pictures in Toronto. Details as to whether or not Time to Shine dialogue will be rescheduled for Toronto will be posted at www.trentu.ca/timetoshine at a later date. Please inform anyone you know who had planned to attend this evening's event. 

 

We apologize for any inconvenience.

To talk about ourselves effectively, we need to know what we're doing, where we're heading and who it matters to

My name is Cathy Schoel and I'm the administrative support for the Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies, located at Traill College. We are a research centre and also have two graduate programs - an MA in Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies and a PhD in Canadian Studies.

I believe that Trent has much to offer: we do so many things well! But communicating our strengths - which is so important in drawing ideal members to our community - is not easy. To talk about ourselves effectively, we need to know what we're doing, where we're heading and who it matters to. That's what this process is all about. And frankly, I've found it really nice to be asked to focus on the positives at Trent. To feel good about the work that we all do. And to be excited about developing a way to share that feeling with people.  I encourage everyone at Trent to take the opportunity to participate as widely as possible, in as many formats as you can, in the discussions to follow.

Cathy Schoel, Administrative Assistant and Research Centre Co-ordinator

Peterborough's hidden gem

A Trent employee for over 11 years, Brenda first started at Trent in the University Secretariat where she assisted with the Board and Senate, and managed Convocation and the United Way Campaign for the University.  In 2008 she moved to the Risk Management Department and worked on initiatives such as risk waivers, the insurance portfolio and health and safety.  Currently, she is assisting the Office of the President as the Acting Executive Assistant. Her various roles at Trent has allowed her the opportunity to work with many members of the university community from volunteers, students, staff, faculty and parents.

I joined the positioning committee because I think this is an extremely important project that will help define us.  Since joining Trent, I have come to realize that Trent holds a special place in many staff, alumni, current students, and parents hearts.  Yet, when I went to University even though I only lived about an hour and a half north of Peterborough - I had never really heard of Trent.  It is Peterborough's hidden gem and we need to get people talking about Trent and what distinguishes us from other Universities.  It is exciting to be a part of a project where the outcome will ultimately guide us in all our decision making at Trent.

Brenda Blackburn, (Acting) Executive Assistant to the President

What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent postings from around campus

A shared sense of what we are and what we want to be

It would be good to have a shared sense of what we are and what we want to be: a sense of what makes, and what will continue to make, Trent different and great. The positioning project is not about empty or meaningless taglines. It is about discovering or (re)creating Trent’s identity in a way that will allow us to formulate coherent plans and priorities for the future, coordinate our strategic, academic, research and other planning projects, leverage for funding and support, and attract exciting students.

Byron Stoyles, Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy

What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent postings from around campus

Working together to build sustainable communities within the framework of right relations

Being relative new to Trent University, as Director of First Peoples House of Learning- also a relatively new entity itself- I’m still learning about Trent University’s multitude of cultures on a daily basis. Before coming to Trent, I knew about Trent University’s reputation as an internationally recognized leader in Indigenous Education.  I’m highly committed to participating in the Trent University Special Advisory Committee on Positioning to reaffirm and carry forward Trent’s strength as an institution firmly committed to Indigenous education stewardship. A particular goal of working with my colleagues on this committee is to work together to build sustainable communities within the framework of right relations. My commitment is to work to align our university identity, both imagined and practical, with daily practices in Indigenous education leadership that are knowledgeable, respectful, responsible, reciprocal and relevant for the young learners of today and tomorrow.

Emerance Baker, Director, First Peoples House of Learning

What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent postings from around campus

Relationships developed here last

I currently work as a Restricted Funds Accountant in the Finance Office and have held this position for over two years.  I am also a Trent alumni with a degree in Business Administration.  While being a student, I spent entire days on campus as my commute was one hour each way.  This allowed me to become more familiar with campus life and I have a lot of wonderful memories.  Now that I am employed by Trent it has been interesting to explore the university from a completely different perspective.  I enjoy seeing the vibrant Trent culture and attitude across the entire community; students, staff and visitors.  That is really the main reason of why I am involved in this committee.  There is so much potential at Trent and unique opportunities that cannot be found at any other post-secondary institution.  Relationships developed here last and the support shown to anyone who is willing to try has been a large influence to me as an individual.  Joining this committee and having my voice heard is very important because unless one gets involved and raises issues everything will remain the status quo.  And in my experience, that is not the Trent way.

Janin Arnold (Deason), Accountant, Financial Services

What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent postings from around campus

Trent's sense of community offers a unique educational experience

Before coming to Trent, Michael worked for the federal government where he was involved in positioning projects with Parks Canada, Library and Archives Canada and Culture.ca.  He is very passionate about the university with its enthusiastic students, dynamic teachers, and dedicated staff.  Trent's sense of community, fostered by its colleges, offers a unique educational experience.  He is excited by the opportunity to promote and share what makes Trent special with a wider public.

Michael Eamon, Principal Lady Eaton College;  Adjunct Professor, Frost Centre for Canadian Studies and Indigenous Studies

What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent postings from around campus

Capturing the light that already shines...

There are so many exciting things taking place at Trent right now. Being able to broadly convey this, and the greater essence of Trent, at this important moment in our history, will inform our shared sense of renewal and continue to shape new possibilities for the future. I am part of this project because I chose Trent and I believe it is a place where people discover who they are and find their path.

Sharing our picture of Trent with a diversity of students around the Province and around the World

As TIP Director, and having served for a year leading the domestic recruitment staff, my teams have been deeply invested in sharing our picture of Trent with a diversity of students around the Province and around the World.  This process is extremely valuable to us, as we want to make sure that our messaging is both in line with the common sense of Trent's identity, and couched in terms that will make the most impact on potential audiences.

Michael Allcott, Director, Trent International Program; Head, Champlain College; Honorary Associate Professor

In this highly competitive environment, our future depends on it

I have believed for several years that a clear positioning statement, succinctly defining what we aspire to be, is absolutely essential if we are to attract outstanding students to Trent in the future. It is critical that we decide what we are going to stand for and develop a positioning statement that is distinctive, compelling and ownable and, because Trent is so very special, I have every confidence that we can do just that. In this highly competitive environment, our future depends on it.

David Morton, Former Chair Board of Governors; Honorary Degree Recipient

What Makes Trent Special? Check out the most recent updates

A positive image of Trent University

I asked to join this committee because I believe it is important to provide a positive image of Trent that will attract students as well as help us define who we are and who we want to become.  This will create an identity that will direct our efforts and give us all a sense of purpose.

Cecilia Brain, Assistant Professor of Hispanic Studies, Modern Languages and Literatures, Trent in Oshawa

"in just a few words"

"tell me why prospective students should choose Trent" asks the reporter. Hmmm, should I mention our small class sizes, faculty-student interaction, interdisciplinary focus, commitment to diversity.....what do prospective students care about? Research says its academic and program reputation. Should I talk about the four signature areas? Our strong research record? Quick, I only have a minute. What would you say? If the reporter asked ten Trent folks, would there be any consistency in what we say? That's what this exercise is about - getting down to the heart of what we do and offer that is different to other universities, in just a few words; and being consistent in our answer to "why choose Trent?"

here's an interesting blog to read about positioning, and the next step which is turning that into a tagline:
http://academica.ca/blogs/dsovka/how-name-your-puppy-andor-post-secondary-institution

Mining the heart and soul of Trent University

I'm on the Positioning committee because I believe that mining the heart and soul of Trent University and delivering them, through consistent and integrated products and services, to all our stakeholders is a vital task to ensure the survival of this institution within the highly competitive higher education market in Canada.

Ayman El-Amir, Associate Professor, Marketing, Business Administration Program

Enthusiasm felt by students and alumni

I'd like to help discover a brand and a positioning statement for Trent that matches the enthusiasm for the university felt by its students and alumni.

Rod Taylor, Board of Governors

Student input on Trent's positioning is very important

My name is Amber Vance I am a 3rd year Queens Trent Concurrent Education student majoring in Indigenous Studies. I am a student representative on the Board of Governors and the VP of Champlain College Cabinet. I have joined the positioning committee because I believe that Trent University is the most amazing university and believe student input on Trent's positioning is the most important. I know many students who represent all different identities within the university and want to try my best to represent all of their ideas about Trent so future students who select Trent can enjoy this community of education as much as so many of us already do.

Amber Vance, Student representative to Board of Governors, Indigenous Studies & Education Program

SACP Member Dr. Neil Emery comments on the project

This project is important to the performance and recognition of the entire institution. Directly I am on the committee to ensure our strength in research is considered; but, I am also personally concerned that Trent gets focused and lasting recognition for being the superb university that it is.

Neil Emery, Vice-President, Research & International