The RGASC family is mourning the loss of Laura Krajewski who died unexpectedly on Saturday, March 2, 2019 as the result of a tragic hiking accident.
Laura was truly a shining star and a bright light to all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Laura recently completed her HBSc at UTM and over the years established herself as a key member of the campus community by working in wide variety of student support roles across campus. She worked most recently at the Robert Gillespie Academic Skills Centre (RGASC) as the Front Office and Communications Assistant where she simultaneously served as the first point of contact for all visitors, office administrator, and communications officer. Laura recently was accepted to Graduate School (OISE) and was overjoyed to be starting a new phase in her career.
Prior to her work at the RGASC, Laura held full-time positions as the Coordinator, Student Organizations at the Centre for Student Engagement and as a Health Education Program Assistant in the Heath and Counselling Centre (HCC). In both these positions she was remarkably effective in promoting and supporting student engagement on campus.
During and after her undergraduate degree, Laura worked part-time in a wide variety of university programs, all related to student support. For example, she worked as a Program Assistant for the Promoting Academic Skills for Success (PASS) program at the RGASC; served as both a LAUNCH Leader and a Campus Experience Leader at the Office of Student Transition; worked as a Peer Health Educator at the HCC and as a Connection Leader at the Office of the Dean. Her contributions to each of these programs had a positive impact not only on UTM’s students, but also on the faculty and staff with whom she worked as well.
Laura was extremely active on campus. She volunteered for Let’s Talk Science (going to local schools and Girl Guide groups to lead science workshops for children), and volunteered with the RGASC’s Facilitated Study Group Program. In recognition of her remarkable contributions to campus life she was awarded both the Gordon Cressy Student Leadership Award and the Principal’s Involvement Award.
Laura was passionate about supporting students and her contributions to the Centre for Student Engagement, RGASC, and student life at UTM as a whole will be felt for many years to come. She will be sorely missed. Her warmth, smile and genuine kindness were at the centre of who she was and anyone who interacted with her could not help but come away feeling a little more positive about the situation and themselves. Laura’s fostering of a passionate and caring community will continue to be her legacy.
