Main navigation

The Team behind the Office of Student Academic Services

OSAS activities are planned and carried out by highly dedicated team members: Ms. Ingrid Chiraz (Project Administrator), Ms. Kendra Gray (Internship Officer), and Dr. Julie Major (Academic Advising). The office operates under the direction of Dr. Alice Cherestes. Our team strives to exemplify the Macdonald Campus motto of Mastery For Service: we are committed to improving the quality of the institution, its programs, and student life.
Dr. Alice Cherestes Associate Dean (Academic) Director, Office of Student Academic Services Dr. Cherestes is a Senior Faculty Lecturer in the Department of Bioresource Engineering. She has a passion for teaching, and teaches both college and university courses covering topics such as General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Dr. Cherestes uses a student-centered approach In her teaching and advising, and believes that the interaction of the individual student and their learning environment is critical to a student's growth and development.
	Ms. Kendra Gray Internship Officer Kendra earned a master’s degree in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Union College. Kendra acts as a link between the Faculty and industries in agriculture and the environment. She facilitates internship postings and she also meets with students to discuss individual opportunities. Kendra is passionate about life-long learning, and has worked with educational institutions domestically and overseas, including in Russia, Georgia, and Liberia.
Dr. Julie Major, agr. Academic Advisor and Senior Faculty Lecturer Julie completed her undergraduate degree in Plant Sciences at McGill, and graduate degrees in Plant & Soil Sciences at Cornell University. Her research took her to South America, and she has traveled to most Latin American countries. Julie teaches in the areas of professional practice in agrology and tropical agriculture, and advises undergraduate students in Agro-Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Economics, Environmental Biology, Global Food Security, and Life Sciences. She lives on an organic vegetable farm west of Montreal.
	Ms. Ingrid Chiraz Project Administrator Ingrid completed her undergraduate degree in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at McGill with a major in Life Sciences. During her bachelor’s, Ingrid attended the University of Queensland in Australia to study marine biology. Ingrid connects students with different educational opportunities, including the Lister Family Engaged Science Initiative, entrepreneurships, online courses and other OSAS outreach events on campus. Ingrid loves teaching science and hopes to complete a Certificate in Inclusive Education to make science outreach accessible to everyone.