Children of Alumni Scholarship Story: Brittany Welsh ‘16

Trent University runs in Brittany Welsh’s family. A third-generation Trent student, Brittany ’16 was a recipient of the Children of Alumni Scholarship, awarded based on academic standing to incoming first-year students whose parent or guardian is a Trent alumni. 

Brittany has strong Trent roots from her father and grandfather as both are Trent alumni. She grew up participating in extra-curricular activities on campus, and when it came time to pick a school, her passion for environmental studies brought her to Trent to study Biology and Environmental and Resource Studies. She credits engaged faculty and small class sizes with drawing her to the University - along with the robust environmental sciences program.

While Brittany did not begin her undergraduate degree intending to pursue a Master’s degree at Trent, once she learned about the possibility of completing an accelerated degree (and fell in love with her research), Brittany soon found herself finishing her Master’s and enrolling in a Ph.D. program at Trent.

Brittany’s research has evolved under the direction of professors and her passion for her field. In her Master’s program, Brittany studied how microplastics move in the environment and their presence in lakes. She compares the movement of microplastics to a financial budget – managing microplastics coming in and out of local lakes. While her research began in the Muskoka Haliburton regions, she has since reconnected with a professor from her undergraduate degree, who has helped expand her research abroad. Now pursuing her Ph.D., Brittany will be travelling to Sweden and Germany over the next year to set up her research project in addition to her local studies.

Her upcoming international experiences have encouraged Brittany to be involved in on-campus activities, especially as much of her undergraduate degree was impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns. She is looking forward to continuing as part of the varsity cross-country team and hopes to compete as part of the team for the first time this year. Sports are an important part of Brittany’s student life and this team, coupled with the enrichment of the Environmental Sciences department, has created the best learning environment for Brittany.

Reflecting on her time at Trent, Brittany notes the special connection between herself and her dad encouraged by the University. She remembers her dad moving her in during her first year and marvelling at all the changes to campus since he had attended Trent as a member of Champlain College. Her college, Gzowski, had not even existed when her dad was a student. Brittany recalls going home on the weekends, a benefit of living close to campus, and comparing Trent stories with her dad and grandpa.

It was her dad who encouraged Brittany to apply, and even seven years after being awarded the scholarship, Brittany is still grateful. As a student entering her first year, she did not know about the costs of university and especially the costs beyond tuition. Brittany used the scholarship to buy several essential textbooks and technology for school, some that she is still using today. Applications for the 2023 Children of Alumni Scholarship will be accepted until August 31, 2023.