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Connect with Us
Adam Lawrence, Dean of Students
As the Dean of Students for all Laurier students, Adam's goal is to support students on their academic journey and to ensure resources and services are available and to support the safety, well-being, and experience of all students. Adam recognizes the life of a student can be challenging, which is why he and his team are passionate about making access to supports as easy and seamless as possible.
Use the staff directory below to connect with one of our staff members for concerns related to student support or student conduct.
If you are not sure of who to connect with first, email deanofstudentswl@wlu.ca (Kitchener/Waterloo students) or deanofstudentsbr@wlu.ca (Brantford students) and the team can help you from there. You can
Elevated Student Support
Our student care and support staff work with students who require elevated levels of support when there are extenuating circumstances impacting their academic success or when they need assistance connecting to campus resources. We provide coordinated support to students experiencing a disruption to their studies including absences due to illness or hospitalization, family emergencies, or other significant life events. Our goal is to ensure that during challenging times, students are connected to the support and resources they need to get back on track.
Brantford Students
Having worked at Laurier for almost 8 years directly supporting students in all capacities related to the transition to university and continuation of care while on campus, my passion for wholistic student success is at the forefront of everything I do at Laurier. Currently, I manage the process of triaging students to on and off-campus resources, through the team of care staff. Overseeing the care and support portfolio for the Brantford campus, I collaborate with all departments to provide elevated support to students who are experiencing a multitude of challenges in an efficient and sensitive manner. My experiences teaching and traveling in many different countries across the world led me back to Laurier as not only an alumni, but also a staff and faculty member. When not at work you can find me spending time with my children and pets, visiting markets and wineries, and planning our next adventure.
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Over the past six years, I have worked in various roles at Laurier and have developed an understanding of the diverse needs of students and the unique challenges they may encounter during their academic journey. In my current role, I work in collaboration with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to provide care, support and resources to equity-deserving students. I have experience helping students navigate personal challenges, financial hardships, academic struggles and more. As a Student Care Coordinator, I am here to work with students on both the Brantford and Waterloo campuses and ensure they have the resources and support they need to thrive both academically and personally. In addition to providing support, I am dedicated to creating and fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for all. Outside of the office, you can find me playing volleyball, golfing, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
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Celebrating 10 years of working at Laurier, I have been a member of the Dean of Students Office since before there was a Dean of Students in Brantford. Having been a first-generation student attending university entirely funded by OSAP, I am keenly aware of the increasing financial pressures that students face during their academic journey. My own experiences of working several part-time jobs during my academic journey have ignited a passionate drive to ensure the financial health and stability of our student body. My enthusiasm extends beyond the realm of financial support. I am deeply invested in fostering student advocacy to enhance the overall university experience in Brantford beyond the walls of Laurier. I believe in amplifying student voices at a municipal level to work towards creating a more enriching and fulfilling downtown urban experience in Brantford.
Outside of Laurier, I am a proud Hamiltonian who can often be found biking to and from shows, crushing dingers at softball, or trying out new artistic hobbies at Hamilton Craft Studios.
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I began my career in student affairs at universities in Western Canada but am grateful to have called Laurier my home now for over 15 years. I am passionate about ensuring that all students have the best possible experience while attending university, even when extenuating circumstances or unexpected challenges arise. We know that during times of stress or crisis, it can sometimes be confusing to know how to move forward or where to seek help, however, the Dean of Students team is here to help! Our team offers goal-oriented, strengths-based intervention and coordination of services for all students so please don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you are experiencing a family emergency, health or financial challenges, or just need assistance in figuring out next steps for personal challenges, we are here to listen and to help you navigate resources and next steps.
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Over the past six years, I have worked in various roles at Laurier and have developed an understanding of the diverse needs of students and the unique challenges they may encounter during their academic journey. In my current role, I work in collaboration with the Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to provide care, support and resources to equity-deserving students. I have experience helping students navigate personal challenges, financial hardships, academic struggles and more. As a Student Care Coordinator, I am here to work with students on both the Brantford and Waterloo campuses and ensure they have the resources and support they need to thrive both academically and personally. In addition to providing support, I am dedicated to creating and fostering an equitable, diverse and inclusive environment for all. Outside of the office, you can find me playing volleyball, golfing, cooking and spending time with family and friends.
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I have been fortunate to be working at Laurier for six years in various roles supporting and advocating for student wellness and supporting a diverse range of students. When I am not working, I like spending time with my family, chasing after my toddler, and spending time outside in the fresh air. I am a teacher by trade, so I love to learn new things and help others do the same. I know the university experience can be full of challenges, both personally and academically, and students today are navigating a world full of challenges. I was a first-generation student when I started as a student here at Laurier, so I also know it can be overwhelming to know where to go when you need support. This is where we come in. I am happy to sit down with you, listen, and co-create a plan for support moving forward and help make things a little bit easier for you.
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Student Conduct
The Student Conduct team strives to help our community uphold a positive, respectful, and learning-centred environment. We are here to listen, and connect students who have experienced harm, safety concerns, or conflict, with resources and tools to support them with feeling safer in this community and more capable to resolve future concerns. We oversee the Non-Academic Student Code of Conduct, and support students who are engaged in the conduct process with reconciling harm, exploring accountability, and moving forward. The Student Conduct team seeks to support the whole student in moving forward from violations of policy and incidents of harm. Our conduct process is built upon a student development framework and outcomes of our conduct process are developed through a restorative lens to support students so that they may continue to be successful members of the Laurier community.
Melissa DiLeo (she/her) has been part of Laurier since 2011, currently serving as the Acting Director of Student & Community Experience. Her roles have predominantly focused on student conduct, support, and engagement, including her initial position as International Student Advisor for Laurier International. Melissa prioritizes a student-centered approach to foster a culture of care, emphasizing relationship-building, peer connections, and holistic student development. Melissa and her team welcome input and collaboration from all members of the Laurier community, encouraging students to share their engagement and support needs. Reach out to the Dean of Students office for support, to contribute to enhancing the student experience, and to find support when you are experiencing harm.
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Ash Jeffries-Fraser (she/her) brings five years experience in student support and administration at Laurier with experience working in the Department of Residence, Enrolment Services, and now the Dean of Students office. In her current role as the Student Conduct Coordinator, she supports a wide range of students, most often engaging with those who have experienced harm, have safety concerns, or are going through a conduct process. Ash is committed to providing compassionate support, using restorative approaches to reconcile harm and foster accountability, and creating opportunities for community building.
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