We hope this page helps you get to know us better and that you will feel at ease contacting us for support at any time during your studies. The Centre for Academic Advising & Student Success includes the Academic Advisors, including 2+2 Transfer Student Advising, the Writing Centre, Learning Strategist, and Supplemental Instruction.

At the Centre for Academic Advising & Student Success, we welcome all of the questions you may have during your academic journey. We are here to support you!

Meet the Centre for Academic Advising & Student Success team!

Erin Tomlinson | Manager

My connection to MSVU started when I was in junior high school in rural Nova Scotia. My older sister left home to live and study at the Mount, and when it came time for me to decide what to do after graduation, I followed in her footsteps. The Mount was the supportive community I needed to make the transition from my small high school to university. While making the step to higher education wasn’t always easy, it made a significant and positive impact on my life. Through my experiences at MSVU, I discovered a desire to help others navigate the university and achieve their academic goals. I am so proud to be a part of the Mount community and I am fortunate to work with a dedicated team of academic support staff to ensure that our services and programs are meeting students’ needs. I welcome you to stop by the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success and learn about all of the ways we can support you throughout your studies!

CAASS Team Tip: Explore a wide range of courses. This can help you decide on an area of focus and you may also find interests you never knew you had!

CAASS Team Trivia: One of my favourite ways to relax is to listen to music.

Pronouns: She/Her

 

 

Heather Maxwell | Academic Advisor

As an Academic Advisor in the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success, I am dedicated to supporting students throughout their educational journey. On a daily basis, I help students make choices that will lead to their academic success by exploring program requirements, assisting with course selection and program planning to suit their educational needs and career objectives.

I provide a confidential environment for our students to review academic progress and academic standings and help them to develop a plan to deal with academic difficulties if needed. If you have questions and aren’t sure who to ask, come visit us in the CAASS in Seton 303, it’s a great place to start!

CAASS Team Tip: Use the link “Degree Requirements” in MyMount to view your program evaluation which will show you what you need to graduate.

CAASS Team Trivia: I have a cocker spaniel named Buddy.

Pronouns: She/Her

 

Jessica Ferguson | Academic Advisor

I am a Mount alum and I have worked at the University for the past 10 years. As an Academic Advisor in the CAASS I meet with students virtually and in-person to discuss program requirements, assist with course selection and scheduling, help students meet their academic goals, and refer them to our many useful supports and services. I love meeting with students from diverse backgrounds and working together to help them meet their educational goals. I value authenticity and enjoy learning about each student that I meet with. My advice to all students would be to explore courses in subject areas that they may not be familiar with. An elective could end up being your favourite course or influence your future in ways you aren’t expecting— Remember that education is fun!

CAASS Team Tip: I am currently pursuing graduate studies at the Mount via online learning. If you haven’t tried an online class yet, I encourage you to give it a chance — you never know what kind of hidden gems online learning holds until you try it!

CAASS Team Trivia: I find tremendous joy when I find new trails for hiking.

Pronouns: She/Her

 

Joseph Lahey | Academic Advisor

Hello! My name is Joseph, and I’m the Interim Academic Advisor in the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success (CAASS). I come to this role from Dalhousie University, where I completed my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, both in Sociology. My graduate thesis explored the coming out experiences of young queer people living in Halifax. During my time as a student, I worked on campus in various capacities, including as a Research Assistant, and as a Peer Advisor, where I supported students in reaching their academic and career goals.

I consider it an honour to meet, work with, and learn from students. I enjoy supporting them as they navigate their time at university. Whether it be celebrating your successes or working through challenges, I’m here to help in any way I can.

CAASS Team Tip: Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help! There are so many services at the Mount designed to help you make the most of your university experience. Be sure to take advantage of them (remember, you pay for them in your tuition!).

CAASS Team Trivia: I love to shop secondhand and vintage! Please ask me for store or market suggestions or share your favorites with me.

Pronouns: He/They

 

James Jollymore | Learning Strategist & Student Success Coordinator

Hello Mount Community! My name is James Jollymore – I am new to Mount Saint Vincent University – having joined the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success team in May of this year. Previously, I worked as an Accessibility Consultant and Student Success Specialist at George Brown College (’03 – ’21) in Toronto. I grew up in River Hebert, Nova Scotia, and completed both my undergraduate (class of ’97) and graduate (class of ’01) degrees at Acadia University. Then my Bachelor of Education degree at The University of Western Ontario (class of ’05).

Helping others with their academic goals is important to me; whether it is supporting students with developing their learning/study skills, delivering workshops, coordinating/facilitating UNIV 0001: University Student Success course, or supervising the Supplemental Instruction program, I am committed to student success.

CAASS Team Tip: James offers this quote by Brene Brown: “There is no innovation and creativity without failure. Period.”

CAASS Team Trivia: Most recently I was in South America (pre-COVID) for 4 months exploring Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru.

Pronouns: He/Him

James Jollymore, Learning Strategist and Student Success Coordinator

Clare Goulet | Writing Centre Coordinator

I’m a writer, editor, and a teacher of those. For 20 years I’ve edited new and established Canadian writers while teaching Writing Process, Editing, Creative Writing, and Poetry courses here at the Mount. I present or speak a lot on metaphoric insight, multi-voiced texts, and creative forms of scholarship, and I love transforming a person’s writing experience and process and creation. Let’s face it: writing feels hard! It’s a somewhat unnatural translation of the world — human beings existed just fine without it for most of our existence on the planet. We’re all still learning how to do it. At the Writing Centre, we love to help with any writing issue — academic, professional, or creative — for students enrolled in any graduate or undergraduate program.

CAASS Team Tip: Book early, book often — up to a limit of 1 booked appointment per week per Mount student. This encourages students to apply what’s been learned in sessions and to avoid becoming dependent on their tutor: we want each student to become a more flexible, clearer, and confident writer.

CAASS Team Trivia: I have a secret lichen collection.

Pronouns: She/Her

Clare Goulet

Soumya Jain | Office Assistant

Hello MSVU! My name is Soumya Jain (pronounced as sawm-ya) and I’m the Office Assistant for the Centre for Academic Advising and Student Success (CAASS). In this role, I support the Academic Advisors, Writing Centre, Learning Strategist, and the Black Student Support Office. Feel free to reach out if you have questions, you’re not sure where to begin or who to contact. The best way to reach me is either through email: advising@msvu.ca or phone: 902-457-6657.

I graduated from Grenfell Campus, MUN with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (Honours) in December 2022 and started working at MSVU right after. Before joining the CAASS, I worked at the Residence Life Office as the Residence Life Administrator up until June 2024.

CAASS Team Tip: The best way to book an appointment is through our online booking portal, as you can easily see the next available appointment, and select a day/time that works best for you.

CAASS Team Trivia: I enjoy traveling and have a keen interest in learning about different countries, their cultures, and languages.

Pronouns: She/Her