Inspiration profile on Lauren-Eisler

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How Lauren Finds Inspiration

In accordance with the Laurier motto "Inspiring Lives of Leadership and Purpose," who is someone that you aspire (either someone current or in the future) to inspire? 

I seek to inspire both staff and faculty to be their best and to embrace the challenges and opportunities presented to them. In the larger picture, I believe that inspiring staff and faculty leads to strong support for students to achieve their best. I believe our roles at the institutions are interwoven and that each one of us should strive to provide inspiration in all we do. Therefore, I do not seek to inspire one person or group, but instead inspire everyone I interact with.

Working at Laurier, what inspires you?

I am constantly inspired by the people I work with and their commitment to our institution. It has never been clearer than in this past year with the challenges the pandemic has brought to all of us. Everyone I work with has shown such grace and strength during this time and has kept our commitment to the student experience in the forefront of their actions. People and units across the university have pulled together to support each other, offer assistance when necessary, adapt to new working conditions, and find creative ways to deal with the myriad of challenges the transition to remote operations have created. That this has been done with grace and good will and humor inspires me daily. We truly are a team at Laurier.

How Lauren Inspires Others

In what ways do you see yourself as a leader within the Laurier community?

I see my role of faculty dean as an opportunity to lead within the Laurier Community. I work with my colleagues to ensure the optimal operation of the academic units in the institution and to ensure faculty and staff are well supported in their related endeavors. I believe supporting faculty and staff in achieving their goals and aspirations is a core function of the dean and I strive to provide leadership in this area. I also believe it is important to lead by example and I work to ensure my actions reflect the values of equity and inclusion that are the backbone of our institution.

What is unique about your Laurier community?

The Brantford campus is unique in that it is a relatively new campus mandated to create and offer new and unique programming for Laurier. This has meant that new program development has been fundamental to the success of the campus. The result of this mandate has been the creation of an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit in the faculty and staff at the Brantford campus that guides everything we do. I also believe the location of the Brantford campus in the downtown core of a city is unique and has provided both challenges and opportunities for students, faculty and staff that differs from those at the Waterloo campus.

How Lauren's Career is Inspiring

How does your career at Laurier exemplify your commitment to inspiring lives of leadership and purpose?

My career at Laurier exemplifies my commitment to inspiring lives of leadership and purpose through my administrative path. I began my career at Laurier as the program coordinator for a new criminology program, followed by time as an assistant dean, an interfaculty associate dean, and now as the dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Science. I have worked to develop new programs at the Brantford campus and support existing programs as they have grown. I have worked with faculties and units across the university to achieve the established goals of the institution as outlined in our strategic academic plan and to support others to achieve their goals.