Melanie (Mel) Wright joined RARC’s team in 2022 as the Administrative Secretary, replacing Hayley while she is on leave.

As the Administrative Secretary, Mel is the first point of contact for RARC, via telephone or email, and is responsible for assisting the team in day-to-day operations. Mel provides information about our assessments to referred students and obtains all required documentation, manages our filing/records system, books testing appointments with our Psychologists, and other administrative duties. 

Mel is a new mom and enjoys spending time with her family. She also loves traveling, nature, and believes that good food can fix most things.

Vicki obtained her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of New Brunswick in 2000, and since then has worked in various clinical settings. She started working at RARC in 2013, initially as the on-site Senior Psychometrist, then more recently as the off-site "Nomadic Psychometrist." Her current duties include conducting psychoeducational assessments with post-secondary students attending various universities and colleges in the Southeastern Ontario region.

In her leisure time, Vicki enjoys hiking, travelling, playing games, and eating good food with good friends.

Gillian Goldsmith joined RARC in 2022 as Transitions Assistant and Program Coordinator. She has worked in the field of education for several years and has a wide range of experience supporting learners and developing curriculum. In 2006, while completing her Bachelor of Education, Gillian moderated for the On-Line to Success (OLTS) transition program as her alternative practicum. She was thrilled to join RARC once again and enjoys supporting its many essential programs and initiatives.

Gillian works as the Transition Program Coordinator, overseeing all transition initiatives underway and in development at RARC.  This includes the STEPS program, OLTS and STOMP, the Transition Resource Guide, and other outreach programs. 

Outside of work, Gillian loves to spend time with her family and friends. She also likes to travel, read, and try new foods.

Nathaniel Davin started at RARC during the summer of 2022. He is currently working as a psychometrist for the department.

Nathaniel’s main responsibilities at RARC include administering psychometric test for the purposes of helping complete psychoeducational and neuropsychological assessments with students who are in (or about to begin) their post-secondary education. In addition, he works with elementary students in the Successful Transition from Elementary to Post-Secondary (STEPS) program facilitated by RARC.

In his free time, he enjoys making music, going on road trips, going to music festivals, and eating.

Hayley Asselstine joined RARC’s team as the full-time, Administrative Secretary in 2021.  

As the Administrative Secretary, Hayley is the first point of contact for RARC, via telephone or email, and is responsible for assisting the team in day-to-day operations. Hayley provides information about our assessments to referred students and obtains all required documentation, manages our filing/records system, books testing appointments with our Psychologists, and other administrative duties. 

Hayley enjoys spending time with her family, including her two furry, family members, Ducky and Cash. In her free time, she loves baking and canvas painting, among other crafts. 

Irene Armstrong is a research associate with RARC since 2008. Irene retired in 2017 but has continued part time as needed. She analyzes data, contributes analysis to academic papers and presentations, and manages data entry. Often the last person to check the files, Irene has become the final auditor of the data confirming the accuracy of the many tests performed by clinicians and students.

Alexandra Bosco began working at RARC in 2018 as a Summer Work Experience Placement (SWEP) student. While completing her Bachelor of Education at Queen’s University, Alexandra returned to RARC to complete her alternative practicum with the OLTS and STOMP programs. Alexandra joined RARC’s transition team full-time in 2019 and is the Transitions Assistant and Multimedia Coordinator. Alexandra has a Professional Master's in Education (PME) from Queen's University.

In her role, Alexandra is responsible for supporting the facilitation of RARC’s transition initiatives and multi-media content creation. She is heavily involved with projects related to the Transition Resource Guide website (www.transitionresourceguide.ca) and EYES-ON-PSE course. Alexandra also provides information technology support. 

Alexandra enjoys being creative, both within her work and in her free time. She enjoys graphic design, crafting, baking, and reading. 

Candice Daiken first came to RARC in 2013 during her time in the Bachelor of Education program at Queen’s University to complete her alternative practicum with the On-Line to Success (OLTS) program. She also completed her Master's of Education, which focused on adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders. Candice returned to join RARC’s transition team full-time in 2015.

Candice manages RARC's province-wide transition program, OLTS-Ontario, and supports other transition programs like the STEPS program and the Transition Resource Guide. She also leads training sessions on Assistive Technologies and learning strategies for Accessibility Services Advisors at post-secondary institutions throughout Ontario.

Candice enjoys getting to know and work with students and their families as they go through RARC's transition programs. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, painting, travelling, and playing with her Boston Terrier Duke.