Laurier appoints Kate McCrae Bristol as Dean of Students on its Waterloo campus

Aug. 26, 2019
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – Wilfrid Laurier University has appointed Kate McCrae Bristol to the role of dean of students at its Waterloo campus, effective September 16, 2019. McCrae Bristol will provide leadership and guidance to the overall student experience with a primary focus on student support, student safety and student success.

McCrae Bristol currently serves as manager, student experience at the University of Waterloo where she is responsible for strategy and oversight of all new student transition programming and student development programming. During her time in this role, McCrae Bristol has focused on building a student leadership program that is relevant to the current student, the changing elements of the workplace and the new competencies for the 21st century workforce.

“There is great distinction at Laurier in the role of the dean of students, supporting students in their academic and personal journey, ensuring their wellbeing, and challenging them to be their best,” said David McMurray, vice president: student affairs. “We are delighted that Kate will be joining with us to carry on that tradition of a university that cares deeply for its students and their success. Kate begins a new era in that regard by welcoming our newest first year students at our Orientation Week opening ceremonies.”

As a member of the student success office management team at the University of Waterloo, McCrae Bristol built a strong foundation for performance among a multi-tiered team, developed strong relationships with student leaders and student union representatives and successfully managed the integration of programming into student services and academic faculty settings through partnership and leveraging the strengths of all parties. She has also served as a member of the student experience supporting panel of the president’s advisory committee on student mental health.

Prior to her work at the University of Waterloo, McCrae Bristol was director, community engagement at St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation where she was responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating a portfolio of the Foundation’s external projects designed to build relationships with community groups, private sector partners, cultural groups and industry sectors. She also served as a full-time assistant coach, women’s basketball at Yale University and as national sports program manager for the Special Olympics Canada.

McCrae Bristol completed her BA Honours, Recreation and Business at the University of Waterloo. She has received her National Coaching Association of Canada Level 3 and the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Award – Applied Health Sciences 40th Anniversary at the University of Waterloo.

“The prospect of being able to engage with and for students, while also influencing community and culture is very exciting and unique,” said McCrae Bristol. “This role is a blend of my passions: leadership, coaching, supporting others to find their own path and making change for the better.”