Staff Listing
The friendly and dedicated team at International Student Support is here to provide you with the guidance and resources you may need to make the most of your time at Laurier. You can make an appointment or come by during drop-in hours, or just stop by the Laurier International offices anytime to get your questions answered.
Our Waterloo staff are denoted with a (W) and our Brantford staff are denoted with a (B).
You can also come by the offices to see your International Student Leader (Waterloo) or International Peer Mentor (Brantford).
We look forward to meeting you!
Mike Aguiar - International Student Advisor, Student Engagement (W)
I'm a graduate of Laurier Brantford myself, so I know firsthand what a special place Laurier is to study. When I finished my undergrad, I taught in Korea for a year and I've been involved in international education ever since. Stop by my office to chat about academics, ways to get involved in the Laurier community, transitioning into a new culture or the latest Marvel movies.
Contact Information
- E: maguiar@wlu.ca
- T: 519.884.0710 x4551
Teeba Alsafar - International Student Advisor (B)
My current role as the International Student Advisor - Brantford at Laurier International focuses on assisting international students with their cultural and academic transition. As part of my role, I plan and implement programming that is geared to those outcomes. I help students with questions about immigration, academics and life plans.
I have been in the field of international education for over 9 years and have received an MEd (Counselling Psychology) degree from Memorial University. My interests lie in assessing the impact of on-campus integration programs on international student settlement and the intercultural development of all students involved in these programs. The most rewarding part of my day is watching students develop and learn about cross-cultural issues and become leaders on campus that support international students.
Contact Information
- E: talsafar@wlu.ca
- T: 519.756.8228 x5969
Claire D'Alton - Administrative Assistant/Receptionist (W)
Welcome to Laurier International! I am the first face you will be greeted with when you come into our office.
I have been with Laurier International since January 2013, and I have loved every minute of meeting our new international students.
Contact Information
- E: cdalton@wlu.ca
- T: 519.884.0710 x2227
Peter Donahue, RISIA - Associate Director, International Student Support (W)
I have been working with international students for close to 25 years and currently I am the Chair of the Waterloo Region's Immigration Partnership. I look forward to meeting you during the various community events organized by International Student Support.
Contact Information
- E: pdonahue@wlu.ca
- T: 519.884.0710 x6704
Michelle Kennedy - Administrative Assistant/Receptionist (B)
I am one of the first people you'll meet when you come to the Laurier International office. As a graduate of Laurier's Brantford campus, I'm familiar with the campus and the community and I'm always happy to provide you with advice and recommendations.
Be sure to say hi when you come by!
Contact Information
Charlene Mak - International Student Advisor, Immigration and University Regulations (W)
I'm a first-generation Canadian with parents from Hong Kong. I grew up seeing the struggles and barriers that newcomers face and am never surprised by the strength and courage people have when faced with these challenges. I learned how to bridge the gap between the Chinese and Canadian cultures and am trying to do the same for my children. Depending on the day you ask me, I will either be Canadian or Chinese but I will always say yes to sushi. Looking forward to getting you know you and hear about your successes.
Contact Information
- E: cmak@wlu.ca
- T: 519.884.0710 x6840
Candace Stewart-Smith - International Student Academic Transition Advisor (W)
I am a former international student at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, so I personally can relate to the various feelings you have when thinking about your journey to a new country and to an academic system that brings new challenges and opportunities. I enjoy meeting new people and sharing stories on life so I hope that you will come to meet me. I have your best interests at heart and I wish you a warm welcome to your new life!
Contact Information
- E: cstewartsmith@wlu.ca
- T: 519.884.0710 x4545
Jennifer Will - Communications Assistant
Contact Information
E: jewill@wlu.ca
T: 519.884.0710 x4085
Ben Yang - Director, Global Engagement
International Student Leaders (Waterloo)
Meet this year's International Student Leaders (ISLs).
Diana Andreeva
Major: 3rd-year BBA
Hobbies: Constantly thinking aout entrepreneurship and developing ideas, playing piano, drawing
Favourite thing about Laurier: Opportunities that Laurier gives to every student with no exception.
Katie Brandon-Wheeler
Major: 3rd-year double major in French and Spanish, minor in Education
Hobbies: Playing sports with friends and taking care of my two puppies.
Favourite thing about Laurier: Everyone is so kind and inviting! No matter where you are on campus, you can always find a familiar face and someone to chat with.
Andrea Chen
Major: 4th-year Health Sciences
Hobbies: Playing rugby, watching sports and cooking competitions, and working out.
Favourite thing about Laurier: How tight-knit the Laurier community is, as well as the school spirit!
Dawn Huang
Major: 4th-year Economics
Hobbies: Traveling, dance, painting, photography, cooking, playing the guitar
Favourite thing about Laurier: Loving people in Laurier International who always care about you wherever you are from.
Wee Tai May (May)
Major: 3rd-year Economics and Financial Management with a minor in Communication Studies
Hobbies: Cooking, sleeping and grocery shopping
Apa khabar (how are you)? My name is May and I am a proud Malaysian! I love learning new cultures and I currently speak six languages. My favorite place to go on the Laurier Waterloo campus is Laurier International! Thanks to the staff and my fellow co-workers, LI feels like a home-away-from-home to me. If you have any questions at all about Laurier, or about life studying abroad, how to save money as an international student, please do not hesitate to ask me! I am as friendly as everyone, so I cannot wait to see all of you!
Tinotenda Nyakurerwa (Tino)
Major: 2nd-year Computer Science and Psychology
Hobbies: Sleeping, eating and walking
Favourite thing about Laurier: The friendly and kind student body.
Mehran Rafy
Tiana Rakotoarison
Major: 4th-year BBA
Hobbies: Traveling, working out, cooking, hiking, biking, Netflix
Favourite thing about Laurier: Small size of the campus and friendliness of the community.
Hi everyone! My name is Tiana, I came from France and I am now a fourth-year BBA student specializing in accounting here at Wilfrid Laurier University. Before living in Waterloo I have also lived in Toronto and Montreal.
I am passionate about helping my community and am involved in various on-campus clubs and activities. I am also someone who likes to be active, going to the gym, traveling, and exploring new food places. My favourite cuisines are French, Indian, Korean, and Japanese! If you have any questions about my program or you’re looking for food places recommendations around the region don’t hesitate to ask me :)
Gursimar Sachar
Major: 2nd-year BBA
Hobbies: Binge watching, eating, music and drawing
Favourite thing about Laurier: Events and activities by Laurier
Tara Stephens
Major: 4th-year Biology
Hobbies: Eating, reading, Netflix and working out
Favourite thing about Laurier: Its diversity and inclusivity
Michael Tepper
Major: 4th-year Arts
Hobbies: Video games, reading, hanging out with friends, napping
Favourite thing about Laurier: All the incredible and friendly people that I have met at Laurier
Xiaogan Zhou (Teddy)
Major: 3rd-year Business
Hobbies: Watching a lot of cartoons and talking to friends
Favourite thing about Laurier: Crazy amount of opportunities to make new friends and get involved
International Peer Mentors (Brantford)
Meet this year's International Peer Mentors (IPMs).
Mei-Ning (Maisie) Cheng
Major: 2nd-year Business and Technology Management
Hobbies and clubs: International Filmmakers' Guild, ISAB
One piece of advice that you received as a new student: You'll never know until you try!
Mitchell Emmanuel-Kalu
Major: 3rd-year Criminology and Law & Society
Hobbies and clubs: I'm the lead photographer for Sputnik, which is the university's official newspaper, an instructor for the Laurier International newspaper, a media exec for Student Opportunities for Unity & Leadership (SOUL), and a member of the International Students' Association of Brantford (ISAB).
When I'm not in class or watching a movie, I always have music playing. I'm also a photographer so I totally love having photo shoots and editing them afterwards.
One piece of advice you received as a new student: The one piece of advice that I held on to was to get involved. Learning doesn't stop in the classroom. One of the great things about Laurier is the clubs available to students on campus. There are over 210! So you will surely find some you like and on the off-chance you don't, you can always start your own! Getting involved is the best way to get to know your university and the people in it. It definitely is one of the best ways to make friends!
Blessing Hammond
Major: 4th-year Human Rights and Human Diversity
Hobbies and clubs: I love to go out and watch movies, I love to volunteer, I enjoy nature and planning fun activities with my friends, and I love to travel!
One piece of advice that you received as a new student: Advice that stood out for me was to join clubs and associations because it makes you feel connected and you get to meet all the beautiful and outgoing people on campus. Also, knowing that I had a shoulder to lean on when help was needed.
Ella Moher
Major: 2nd-year Human Right and Human Diversity and LLB
Hobbies and clubs: Laurier Brantford Figure Skating Club, swimming, music (piano), photography, skiing
One piece of advice that you received as a new student: Respect and communicate with your roommates, even if you aren't best friends. It'll make for a positive living arrangement.
Ariana Tapia
Major: 4th-year Public Health
Hobbies and clubs: Vice President of the Health Studies Student Association and a member of the Global Engagement Student Ambassadors.
One piece of advice that you received as a new student: One piece of advice that I found useful when I was a new student at Laurier was to get involved in clubs that you like. That is how you get to make great connections.
May Xu
Major: 4th-year Digital Media and Journalism
Hobbies and clubs: I am a member of ISAB and I like singing and taking photos. When I have free time, I usually watch movies or edit the photos I took.
One piece of advice that you received as a new student: Take advantage of your social media platforms. There are so many upcoming events posted on social media, such as Facebook. Don't be afraid to ask for help or guidance; everyone was a freshman once!
Zhenghang (Jason) Xu
Major: 2nd-year Business and Technology Management
Hobbies and clubs: Reading novels, listening to music, playing video games, playing tennis and badminton. I am also part of ISAB.
One piece of advice that you received as a new student: For me, and international student, I always find it good to communicate with your classmates and professors. Exchanging feedback and ideas can help a lot in getting involved in the social network here.