Advising
Connect with the right people to help guide your SSS journey
Understanding Your Advisors
As an SSS student, you have access to two types of academic advisors: Program Advisors (based in the Department of Geography) and Degree Advisors (based in the Faculty-level advising office, SOUSA). Make sure you connect with the right person for your question!
Program Advisor
Contact for questions about:
• SSS program requirements
• Courses offered in Geography
• Course registration issues
• Course substitutions
• Honours projects
Degree Advisor (SOUSA)
Contact for questions about:
• Foundation program requirements
• Overall B.A. & Sc. degree requirements
• Study away/exchange
• Interfaculty transfers
• Deferred & supplemental exams
SSS Program Advisor
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
Michelle Maillet
Undergraduate Program Advisor (Academic Associate)
advisor.geog@mcgill.ca | Geography Advising Office
Michelle’s office is located in Burnside Hall, Room 322. She is available to answer your questions by email, by virtual appointment, or via in-person drop-in office hours.
Michelle is responsible for all undergraduate programs that fall under the Department of Geography (including majors, minors, honours, joint honours, and Interfaculty programs like SSS). She has been advising Geography students since 2014 and became the full-time advisor for the SSS program in 2019.
She holds a wealth of knowledge about navigating the McGill bureaucracy and can help you be strategic with your undergraduate studies. She also evaluates course equivalencies, approves course substitutions, and recommends students for graduation. Do not hesitate to contact her for any Geography-related or general questions that you may have. If she is not the right person to answer your question, she can connect you with the appropriate person/office/service.
Program Director & Mentor
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
Prof. Brian E. Robinson
Program Director
brian.e.robinson@mcgill.ca | Website
Prof. Robinson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and a member of the Bieler School of Environment. His research examines how people meet their needs through use of ecosystems and natural resources, the role this plays in developing regions, and the institutions we create to mediate these relationships.
Research Interests: Ecosystem services, ecology, environmental & development economics, international development, livelihoods & environment, quantitative methods
Office: Burnside Hall, Room 432
Prof. Graham MacDonald
Program Mentor
graham.macdonald@mcgill.ca | Website
Prof. MacDonald is an Associate Professor of Sustainability Science in the Department of Geography. He studies regional- to global-scale dimensions of agricultural land use and management, examining how agricultural trade influences resource distribution and food consumption patterns worldwide.
Research Interests: Land use, food systems, agricultural sustainability, commodities trade, urban food systems
Office: Burnside Hall, Room 627
B.A. & Sc. Degree Advising
SCIENCE OFFICE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ADVISING (SOUSA)
SOUSA provides ongoing advice and guidance on academic issues related to overall degree requirements, registration, course changes, deferred exams, Academic Standing, interfaculty transfers, study away, and graduation.
Tania Raggo
B.A. & Sc. Degree Advisor
All Bachelor of Arts & Science students are automatically assigned to Tania Raggo as their dedicated degree advisor. She provides assistance with degree planning and is a valuable referral source if you’re not sure where to address your question. She also helps manage academic situations during periods of personal, financial, or medical difficulties.
Marina Saunders
Student Affairs Administrator
Marina serves as the Secretary to the B.A. & Sc. Program Administration Committee (PAC) and provides administrative support for the program. If Tania Raggo is on leave, Marina Saunders can assist with B.A. & Sc. advising inquiries.
SOUSA Contact Information
Location: Dawson Hall, Room 405
Address: 853 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3A 0G5
General Inquiries: advisor.science@mcgill.ca
New Students: newstudentadvising.science@mcgill.ca
Helpful Tips
Before You Email
Try to ask all your questions in a single email — this makes things easier for your advisor. Don’t send multiple emails about the same issue. Always include your student ID number.
Use Your McGill Email
To protect your privacy, advising offices will only reply to your official McGill email address. Check your McGill email regularly to ensure you don’t miss important messages.
Be Patient During Registration
During the Add/Drop period, advisors receive a high volume of emails and appointment requests. Please expect longer wait times and avoid sending multiple emails.
Still Have Questions?
Check out our other resources or ask fellow SSS students!