Building an Inclusive Campus Culture from the Ground Up

At Laurier Milton, student leadership and involvement are the cornerstones of shaping an inclusive campus culture.

This article is condensed and adapted from the original, written for Wilfrid Laurier University.

It's only been two years since Wilfrid Laurier University's Milton campus welcomed its first class, but in that time, students have taken the lead in defining what the Laurier Milton experience looks like—and what it will become.

Through initiatives like the Student Leadership Council, clubs, ambassador teams, and peer supports, students are shaping the campus's culture, community and traditions. As Laurier Milton continues to grow, students are more committed than ever to building a strong sense of community and belonging from day one.

Student Leadership Council

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 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.

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."

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.

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."

Meet Milton campus celebs Ayesha and Ayesha in this short YouTube video:

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. "The club has started off really strong," says says Hamza Rizvi, a second-year Computer Science student. "It's a great opportunity for students to get their hands on something they can build."

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 Anousha Waqar of the Student Leadership Council, 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 resumé here in the past two years — and very happy to be a part of the Laurier Milton community."