Laurier appoints assistant vice-president: student and ancillary services

May 8, 2026

Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Ryan Jacobs as the new assistant vice-president: student and ancillary services, beginning May 25, 2026. The student and ancillary services portfolio delivers critical services to students that help shape their student experience, as well as important services for faculty, staff, alumni and the community, while providing an important revenue source for the university.

Jacobs joins Laurier from the University of Waterloo, where he most recently served as senior director, commercial operations. He has led a $45-million ancillary portfolio spanning retail, printing, self-operated food services, and conference and event services, with accountability for business planning, budget performance, labour relations, safety-critical operations and service quality. He has also served as the senior director, print operations and held roles as a sessional instructor and in communications and marketing.

“I am pleased to welcome Ryan to Wilfrid Laurier University,” says Debbie Martin, vice-president: finance and administration. “Ryan’s experience in the student and ancillary portfolio and his broad knowledge across the sector will be assets to Laurier moving forward and I look forward to working closely with him.” 

Prior to his roles at the University of Waterloo, Jacobs served as chief executive officer of national fair-trade retail organization Ten Thousand Villages, where he led head office operations and a network of stores and various sales channels. 

Jacobs will bring his experience in ancillary operations, student experience and institutional stewardship to the assistant vice-president: student and ancillary services role at Laurier. In this role, which reports to the vice-president: finance and administration and vice-president: student affairs, he will develop integrated strategies aligned with institutional strategic priorities and will provide leadership and oversight to Housing and Residence Services, Food Services, Laurier One Card, Conference and Event Services, Campus Stores and Print and Imaging Solutions; as well as leadership to Mail and Distribution Services. The Special Constable Service will report directly to the vice-president: finance and administration while a review of the best alignment in the organization occurs. 

“This portfolio, under Ryan’s leadership, will connect people, purpose and possibility for students,” says Kate McCrae Bristol, vice-president: student affairs. “We are excited to welcome Ryan, whose collaborative spirit will help bridge our established strengths, spark new ideas, and shape an inspiring path forward for the Laurier community.” 

Jacobs’ education in the humanities and liberal arts includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Waterloo, a master’s degree from the University of Edinburgh and his current doctoral studies in the History of Canadian Education at the University of Waterloo, focusing on the evolution of university funding and governance in Ontario. He serves as vice-president of the Canadian Campus Retail Associates, and is a member of the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services and the Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. Jacobs earned the Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP) designation in 2024 through the National Association of College Auxiliary Services.

Jacobs succeeds Dan Dawson, who will retire on May 29 after a 37-year career at Laurier, which began with various roles in the Students’ Union, including general manager, before taking on the role of director and then AVP of student services, and his current role as AVP: student and ancillary services. Over his decades at Laurier, Dawson’s many accomplishments include supporting and developing countless student leaders and staff, evolving the student and ancillary services portfolio, and leading the university’s pandemic response team – all with an unwavering focus on fostering the Laurier student experience.

Dawson has received the Students’ Union Lifetime Achievement Award, the Alumni Schaus Award for Staff and the President’s Award. He will be recognized with a Forever Golden Hawk award by Laurier’s Alumni Association May 28 and will receive the Order of Wilfrid Laurier University during the June 18 convocation ceremony. The residence leadership team has also created the annual Dan Dawson Community and Belonging Award for residence student staff members. 

“On behalf of the leadership team, we extend our gratitude to Dan for 37 years of extraordinary service and dedication to our campus community,” says McCrae Bristol. “His impact can be felt in the very fabric of this institution — in the spaces and structures he helped shape, the countless students whose daily lives were made better through the work, and the steady, thoughtful presence he brought to leadership. His legacy is one of commitment, care and lasting influence, and our community is stronger because of his contributions.”