Laurier Milton students build inclusive campus culture from the ground up

April 29, 2026

Laurier Milton isn’t just Wilfrid Laurier University’s newest campus – it’s a campus being built in real time by the students who call it home.

In just two years since Laurier Milton welcomed its first class, students have launched a leadership council, clubs, joined ambassador teams and taken on academic support roles that are shaping the culture, community and traditions of the campus.

“Students are defining what the Laurier Milton experience looks like – and what it will become,” says Hamza Rizvi, a second-year Computer Science student. “One of the most exciting parts is seeing how fast Laurier Milton is growing and how students are contributing to that growth.”

At the centre of student‑led activities is the Milton Student Leadership Council, a group that has quickly become a cornerstone of campus culture. The 10‑member council meets weekly – plus an additional executive meeting – to plan events, manage budgets and brainstorm ways to bring students together. The council’s work has already produced memorable social events: a Squid Game competition, Mario Kart tournament, trivia night, karaoke, movie night and Halloween festivities.

“We want to include every single student,” says Anousha Waqar, the council’s finance and administration executive. “The Milton Student Leadership Council helps students engage with their community.”

Waqar manages the council’s budget and coordinates activities with Laurier Milton staff members, while also supporting event planning and marketing. She says the council’s strength comes from its diversity – not just culturally, but in interests and ideas.

“Everybody likes different things, so we try to host as many different activities as we can,” says Waqar.

For Nitasha Bajarh, an executive member of the Milton Student Leadership Council, serving has provided the chance to build something meaningful from the ground up.

“We host a lot of events, whether they’re program‑oriented or just general events where everyone can participate,” says Bajarh. “It’s amazing to have opportunities to be involved.”

Both Waqar and Bajarh say the council has helped them develop leadership skills and both see their work as foundational to what Laurier Milton will become.

“As the campus grows, we have more roles being offered to us,” says Bajarh. “Taking them on allows students to grow personally and shape the Laurier Milton community.”

Telling the Laurier Milton story

While the Milton Student Leadership Council is building community from within, Laurier Milton’s student campus ambassadors help facilitate first impressions of the campus for those outside of the Laurier community. Ambassadors provide campus tours and attend events, including the Ontario Universities’ Fair, to share their experiences with prospective students and their supporters.

Rizvi, who serves as a campus ambassador, says the message shared by ambassadors is consistent: Laurier Milton is a small campus that offers big opportunities.

“We have smaller classes, you can talk with your teachers and we are building a strong community,” says Rizvi.

Rizvi says he remembers the moment he knew Laurier Milton was the right fit for him. Attending the Ontario Universities’ Fair as a prospective student, he felt an immediate connection with the Laurier representatives he met.

“It was very warm and I felt a connection almost instantaneously,” says Rizvi. “Being able to introduce Laurier Milton as a campus ambassador is something I want to do for others, something I can pass on as a legacy.”

Rizvi also works as an instructional assistant, supporting Computer Science students during labs, marking assignments and providing feedback. He says the smaller campus environment makes academic support more personal and accessible.

“You can have that one‑on‑one time and can be on a first‑name basis,” says Rizvi. “Rather than waiting for office hours, you can just go up to professors right after class.”

Creating belonging

Laurier Milton’s recently formed Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) was founded by first‑year students Ayesha Salam and Ayesha Arif, who both came to Canada from abroad and aimed to create a sense of belonging. The MSA began its activities in January 2026 and has quickly become a gathering point for students.

“Although it is a faith‑based association, we love to see everyone coming in,” says Salam. “We want to create a sense of community for all students.”

During Ramadan, the MSA hosted weekly meal distributions that brought 30 to 40 students together each week. The group is currently planning an interfaith event to bring students of all backgrounds together, a reflection of Salam and Arif’s inclusive vision.

Arif notes the purpose of the association is simple but powerful.

“It’s a way for us to get everyone to come together and form a sense of community,” she says. “It was important to start something that could connect people.”

Building the future

Also of note is the student-run Laurier Robotics Innovation Society, which launched at Laurier Milton this year and draws 15 to 20 students to its workshops. Both Rizvi and Bajarh are members of the society, which aims to foster robotics and engineering skills through workshops and projects.

“The club has started off really strong,” says Rizvi. “It’s a great opportunity for students to get their hands on something they can build.”

Laurier Milton campus manager Patricia Kousoulas says she is inspired by the initiative shown by students, noting their leadership is defining what it means to belong at the campus. She also expresses deep gratitude to Laurier Milton faculty and staff, particularly the Student Experience team, for their support, guidance and leadership in working alongside students to ensure their ideas take root and flourish.

“Watching students play such a big role in shaping this campus has been inspirational,” says Kousoulas. “They’re not just participating in campus life, they’re helping create it. Their energy, ideas and leadership are setting the foundation for what Laurier Milton will be for years to come.”

While the Laurier Milton story is still in its early chapters, its identity is coming into focus: a campus built by students, for students. That makes the experience more meaningful, says Waqar, who notes the newness of Laurier Milton has served to open doors and provide opportunities for students she didn’t expect.

“At Laurier Milton, you can build your experience from the ground up and students are helping shape the community,” says Waqar. “I am very happy with how I have been able to build my resume here in the past two years – and very happy to be a part of the Laurier Milton community.”

Learn more about Laurier Milton.