student services vp student services bob hann levia quequezana humanities 101 student d r i v e p a s s i o n a c h i e v e m e n t fostering a vibrant community of learners a rich and varied learning environment — how, where, when and with whom students engage in learning in all its forms — is integral to the st. mary’s university experience, and a key contributor to students’ lifelong success. from lectures to labs, presentations to projects, independent initiatives to cafe conversations, students are challenged to learn complex theory and hone practical skills. the entire campus encourages dialogue, expands perspectives and fosters academic and personal growth. st. mary’s student services academic enhancing model is centred on student success and the heart of a vibrant community of learners. supporting high school students in their successful transition to university, and st. mary’s students through their studies and in career preparation, the centre for learning, access and student success (class) grows students’ academic, career and life skills through accessible online and in- person resources. courses focus on academic readiness, university pathways, university transition, enhancing learning, strategies for success, community of learning and career readiness. professors, staff, alumni and student peers all play important roles in ensuring the learning environment enables all students to make the most of their time at st. mary’s. lighting the path to life’s purpose perhaps no program reflects st. mary’s commitment to social justice, ethical citizenship, respect and freedom of thought — the foundations of the catholic education tradition — than humanities 101. part of the fabric of the university since 2003, this uniquely inspiring initiative casts aside barriers to education faced by people from low-income circumstances to create a safe, welcoming place where strength, courage and determination enables people to reach academic goals they may not have thought possible. levia quequezana, a mother of six children who worked as an accountant in peru, has experienced firsthand the profoundly personal impact of humanities 101. “for the first time, i fit in somewhere,” she says of the challenges of moving to canada. “my peers and i shared similar backgrounds, struggles and issues. i found myself part of a group where i could belong.” the experience proved life-changing, inspiring levia to achieve a dream that she now lives as a psychology student at st. mary’s. “humanities 101 empowered me and enabled me to find my purpose in life, what i was called to be in this world,” levia says. “for other people, it was the way to achieve their own dreams, a way to find a new light in their path we all had struggles, but we on wednesday, october 4, 2017 the st. mary’s university found a light in humanities 101.” humanities 101 program won its second major accolade — the award of excellence at the developmental disabilities research centre (ddrc). 20 s t . m a r y ’s u n i v e r s i t y 2 0 1 7 r e p o r t t o c o m m u n i t y