Staff Listing
Brantford Campus team
Students studying on Laurier’s Brantford campus can meet professional staff members who provide in-class and general campus workshops and specialized writing and study skills support. These staff also oversee the facilitated study groups, writing and study skills peer mentor, and G.P.A. programs for the campus. Throughout the fall and winter terms, their team of peer mentors will be available to meet with you to help with academic support.
Elizabeth Clarke
Learning Consultant, Academic Equity- emclarke@wlu.ca
- OM 207-17, One Market, Brantford and P244, Peter's Building, Waterloo
As a learning consultant, I support students in developing the necessary learning and study skills for academic success on their educational journey. I work in collaboration with the Transition & Learning Services and the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. I facilitate transition support and academic equity programs providing an equity, diversity and inclusion lens to offer programming and a support in a culturally relevant and wholistic way.
My academic background includes a Bachelor of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto. My experience includes working within in research, child welfare, homelessness and mental health and community support services. As a social worker, I am blessed to cross paths with many individuals from various walks of life. I believe we are lifelong learners, who are all connected and working to discover and fulfill our purpose. In my time as a regular guest lecture at the University of Toronto’s Master of Social Work Program, I discovered a passion for working with and supporting student academic success.
Marisa Di Leo
Learning Consultant, Transition and Learning Services- mjdileo@wlu.ca
- OM207-31, One Market, Brantford
Mitchell Higgins
Learning Consultant, Academic Success Programs
- mhiggins@wlu.ca
- OM207-26, One Market, Brantford
As a Learning Consultant, I aid students in the growth of their academic skillset. I work with students one-on-one to help them discover and build learning strategies that will have a positive impact on their academic journey, I facilitate campus-wide academic skills workshops and work alongside faculty to embed learning skills development opportunities into the classroom. Additionally, I work with the Transition and Learning Services team to design and deliver quality Academic Success Programs.
Waterloo Campus team
In addition to meeting with students one-on-one in learning consultations, the team oversees the Academic Success Programs including; Athletic Academic Success, Progressing Past Probation, and the BU121 Academic Success Program. Other programs include Laurier 101, First Year Peer Academic Coaching, Indigenous Academic Success, and Supplemental Instruction. We also provide in-class and campus-wide workshops.
Lindsay Lawrence
Director, Transition and Learning Services
- llawrence@wlu.ca
- P248, Peter's Building, Waterloo
Each year, the Transition and Learning Services team provides support for new Laurier students as they prepare to begin their studies, through webinars, on-campus events, online resources and events during Orientation Week. Throughout the year, the team provides one-on-one consultations, academic success programs and group workshops to help students develop the skills they need to be successful students and reach their academic goals.
As director, I work with a team of seven learning consultants to oversee the Laurier 101, Supplemental Instruction, and Athlete Academic Success programs. I also work closely with faculty members to provide embedded course-specific workshops to help students succeed in individual courses, and with associate deans to develop outreach and support programs for students on academic probation.
I started working at Laurier as a recruitment officer shortly after graduating from the Laurier BBA program, before spending six years travelling across the country as the national recruitment coordinator. During this time I completed a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Calgary and found a passion for helping students find their program fit and reaching their academic potential. In 2011, I moved to the Access and Transition team and worked with the Building Bridges to Success program before becoming a learning consultant, which later evolved into the manager, Transition and Learning Services. I enjoy working with many campus partners and meeting inspiring students with supporting the institutional mission of excellence in learning.
I am also the Laurier representative for the Ontario Education Championship Team (OECT) for Waterloo-Wellington that promotes post-secondary participation for youth in care.
As a Learning Consultant, I work one-on-one with students to help them discover strategies for academic success. In addition, I facilitate workshops to support students with learning skills development, and work with the Transition and Learning Services team to deliver Academic Success Programs. I am developing Mature and Transfer Student Programs and will co-deliver SASP programming this term.
I have a BA in Psychology from McMaster University and my Human Resources Management Diploma from Sheridan College. I have worked in HR about 20 years and am a Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL). I began teaching post-secondary HR courses at Conestoga College in 2014 until present. I also teach EM300 for Laurier, and HR for Non-Profit Leaders in the Laurier Social Work Professional Development Program. In 2018 I began working as a Co-op Coordinator at Laurier and am now completing a four-month contract as a Learning Consultant for the Winter 2021 term. I completed my Masters, Education, Student Affairs in 2020 and am passionate about educating students to get the most out of their post-secondary experience. I enjoy interactive and engaging sessions with students online and in-person.
Heather Gaffney
Associate Director, Transition Programs
- hgaffney@wlu.ca
- P212, Peter's Building, Waterloo
Each year, the Transition and Learning Services team provides support for new Laurier students as they prepare to begin their studies, through webinars, on-campus events, online resources and events during Orientation Week. Throughout the year, the team provides one-on-one consultations, academic success programs and group workshops to help students develop the skills they need to be successful students and reach their academic goals.
As associate director, I work with a team of eight learning consultants to oversee the Laurier 101, Progressing Past Probation (P3), and Athlete Academic Success programs. I also work closely with faculty members to provide embedded course-specific workshops to help students succeed in individual courses, and with associate deans to develop outreach and support programs for students on, or at-risk of, academic probation.
As an experienced learning consultant passionate about student transition programming, I support teaching, learning and study skill development using student-centred methods of appreciative advising and adult learning theories. I am a proud alumna of Laurier's BBA program and completed a Master of Education degree at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education with a concentration in student development and student services in post-secondary education. I am dedicated to lifelong learning and have completed certificates in adult education and learning experience design. I am currently working towards completing a Doctorate in Education specializing in adult education.
Stefanie Kubacki
Learning Consultant, Academic Success Programs
- skubacki@wlu.ca
- P234, Peter's Building, Waterloo
Zeeta Lazore Cayuga
Learning Consultant, Indigenous Academic Success Programs
- zlazorecayuga@wlu.ca
- ISC203
I am here to support Indigenous students on their educational journey. As a learning consultant, I support your academic success by being your cheerleader for your many accomplishments and helping you if things are not going well. I am available to meet 1:1 to support you with developing and strengthening your learning skills. In addition, I facilitate the Indigenous Academic Success programs, which include culturally relevant workshops and events.
Shé:kon sewakwé:kon! Zeeta yónkyats, Ononta’kehá:ka nì’i. Ohkwá:ri niwaki’tarò:ten tahnon Ohswé:ken nitewaké:no.
Hello everyone! My name is Zeeta I am Onondaga Bear clan from Six Nations. I have worked in Indigenous student affairs for the past five years. Previously I have worked at Western universities in a variety of roles for peer programs, youth outreach, student support and recruitment and admissions. I was inspired to work in student affairs by all the amazing Indigenous staff in the Indigenous student centre. I came into the work wanting to reciprocate that support to incoming students and I’ve never looked back. I completed my undergrad in Indigenous Studies and Master of Professional Education in Indigenous Educational Leadership at Western University.
I love working with students to be your guide on the side as you take on this new journey and learn more about your passion and gifts.
Charlene Mak
Learning Consultant, Graduate Orientation & Transition Programs
- cmak@wlu.ca
- P242, Peter's Building, Waterloo
As a Learning Consultant, my role is to support students during their transition to university and ensure that it is a smooth and successful process. I work with students through one-on-one appointments and group workshops focused on building learning strategies and study skills for academic success. I also work primarily with the Laurier 101 program which helps students build a sense of community, get ready for registration, and prepare for their academic journey here at Laurier.
Prior to working at Laurier, I completed my Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies through the University of Waterloo and I was lucky enough to gain work experience in Outdoor Education through co-op, which was the catalyst for my passion of working with students! I then joined Laurier in 2013 and over the years have held roles in Residence Life, Residence Education, and Co-op all focused on supporting students through their university journey and making meaning out of their experiences. I am also officially a Golden Hawk now after completing my Bachelor of Education and Master of Education through Laurier! I have always enjoyed working with students, particularly in post-secondary, as students work to find their passions, interests, and the things that spark our curiosity.