Jonathan Pinto

Peterborough, Ontario
Canadian Studies

“It’s truly the best program in the country, and a perfect fit for my academic interests,” says recent graduate Jonathan Pinto about Trent’s renowned Canadian Studies program.

He adds: “Its interdisciplinary nature allows students to truly choose their own academic path, focusing on their own particular interests within the Canadian context. The professors I’ve had in all my courses have also been absolutely wonderful. Being part of a close-knit academic community at the undergraduate level is something that is truly rare in the Canadian university environment.”

In addition to the Canadian Studies program, Trent also intrigued Jonathan because of its academic and natural environment and community atmosphere. In and outside of the classroom, he was able to see the potential for consistently exceptional learning experiences. “It’s an environment where the free exchange of ideas truly occurs, and a place where being involved is highly encouraged,” he says.

Since arriving at Trent four years ago, Jonathan, a Peterborough native, has made an impressive mark on the University and in the Peterborough community. At Trent, he has served three terms with the Lady Eaton College cabinet. He was also a member of Trent Senate, the Non Academic Misconduct Policy Task Force and the Presidential Review Committee. Jonathan also served as president of the Trent Annual Yearbook Board, a director on the PRCSA (Sadleir House) Board of Directors, and restaurant critic for student-run Arthur newspaper.

In addition, he also played critical roles on several committees outside of Trent, including youth liaison on the 2009/2010 United Way Campaign cabinet, president of the Peterborough Federal Liberal Youth Association, and member of the Downtown Countdown (Peterborough's non-alcoholic New Year’s Eve festival) planning committee.

“I like to stay busy, so being involved at both Trent and the community at large is something that’s always been important to me,” he says. “Overall, my four years at Trent have been quite wonderful and fulfilling. This institution – and the amazing students, faculty and staff that I’ve met here – will always be close to my heart.”

A recipient of many scholarships and awards, Jonathan was most recently awarded one of four prestigious Peter Gzowski internships with CBC Radio. As an intern, he will spend the summer learning the basics of radio production and gaining first-hand experience in radio programming. Describing public broadcasting as one of his many interests, Jonathan will move on to explore another of his life’s passions – public transportation – as a Masters student in the Urban Planning graduate program in Waterloo in the fall.

“Receiving an interdisciplinary education like I have at Trent has been an extremely valuable asset when applying to grad schools,” Jonathan says. “Interdisciplinary is seen as something very important in a field such planning, which deals with a wide variety of issues from across the disciplines.”

After completing his Masters degree, Jonathan one day hopes to return to Peterborough and to Trent as a doctoral student in the Canadian Studies Ph.D. program.