Award-winning Laurier Master of Public Safety graduate Anne Ivenso champions justice through lived experience and academic excellence

Like many university students, Anne Ivenso was forced to ask herself an important question when life as an online student got tough. That question – “Why am I doing this?” – provided an answer so full of meaning it propelled her forward and led to her earning a Master of Public Safety (MPS) in June 2025.

“I’ve always been passionate about public safety,” she says. “And I have a deep-seated desire to contribute to society.”

Whether balancing work and life with school assignments, or experiencing moments of self-doubt, Ivenso’s “why” provided the inspiration she needed to get through even her toughest of days.

Originally from Nigeria, Ivenso witnessed first-hand the devastating impacts of ethnic war and criminal behaviour, a result of conflict between political groups and tribal clashes. Her experience left her pondering ethical dilemmas: What would cause an individual to commit a crime? Why would one human being choose to hurt another? These questions spurred Ivenso to complete a diploma in Community and Justice Services, and later an undergraduate degree in Justice Studies.

Still, she wanted more.

After considering several postgraduate programs, Ivenso chose Laurier’s online Master of Public Safety.

“My daughter told me about the program at Laurier and after researching it, boom! I was sold,” she says.

Ivenso’s strong academic showing in her undergraduate degree, combined with her advocacy work for marginalized people with groups including Amnesty International Canada and the Salvation Army, made her an ideal candidate for the MPS. Most importantly, she was looking for a program she could complete 100% online while still working full-time.

With its focus on evidence-based decision-making and a comprehensive approach to solutions, the online MPS program proved the right fit. Ivenso was accepted into the program and began in the spring of 2022. In 2024, she earned the Walter Waganka Memorial Award. Named after the late Walter Waganka, an MPS student who passed away unexpectedly in February 2020, the award is presented annually to an MPS student who embodies characteristics including collegiality and dedication to the public safety community. Ivenso’s dedication and academic achievements in the MPS program also earned her the Award for Outstanding Work at the Graduate Level, presented at her convocation ceremony in June 2025.

“Anne is one of our MPS success stories,” Assistant Professor Carolyn Greene and Associate Professor Scott Blandford shared in nominating Ivenso for the award. “As a naturalized Canadian citizen who migrated to Canada from Nigeria over two decades ago, Anne has survived challenges that would test the best of us. She has maintained top marks and brought a multidimensional perspective that blends scholarship, service and a genuine commitment to building safer, more inclusive systems for all.”

While proud of her accomplishments, Ivenso admits that pursuing her MPS was not without its challenges. Finding time to complete her assignments amid a busy personal and professional life was just one of the obstacles she faced. Her methodical approach to completing written assignments, which included planning out the structure, spending a couple of days on research and devoting her remaining time to writing, proved a winning formula. Giving herself time to recover after stressful times was important, too.

Determined to succeed despite such challenges, Ivenso leaned into supports offered at Laurier including Accessible Learning and her professors.

“My experience with all of my professors was exceptional,” she says. “And I can’t thank them enough for their insight.”

Ivenso credits Blandford, in particular, for providing constructive feedback, helping her manage her stress levels and encouraging her to celebrate small victories along the way.

“He was really focused on his students’ well-being and encouraged us to seek help whenever we needed it,” she says.

In addition to her hard work in the classroom and professionally, Ivenso is actively involved in her community as a donor and writer for organizations including SickKids, The War Amps and, most recently, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. A self-described “lifelong learner,” Ivenso says she will never give up her quest to improve public safety and plans to earn a PhD in a related field. She also offers advice for others considering the MPS program.

“The most important thing is to be passionate about it and determined to succeed,” she says. “Be prepared for a challenging experience, but a rewarding one.”