University Counselling
Mulgrave's University CounselLing Department
Mission Statement: The University Counselling Department is committed to informing, enhancing, and guiding the Mulgrave community in all aspects of post-secondary planning.
The culmination of a Mulgrave education lies in the options that become available to our students as graduates. Armed with a world-class IB education and a strong sense of self, Mulgrave grads are well-prepared for post-secondary life.
As a department, we work closely with both the student and his/her parents to help them refine their university search and determine what path should be taken in order for our students to be prepared to earn a place at their university of choice. This journey begins in the Middle School (Grades 8 and 9) with guidance embedded in Life and Learning classes. As students progress into the Senior School (Grades 10-12) counselling expands to include course selection advice based on the goals that students have set for themselves. Our university counsellors meet with each student to map out a detailed schedule which reflects personalised post-secondary ambitions.
University Counselling
Luke Lawson
Director of University CounsellinG
In addition, Luke is a former IBDP and CAS Coordinator at Mulgrave School and the Halifax Grammar School. He coordinated the IBDP application for both schools and is currently an IB examiner for IB Economics, an IBDP site authorisation leader and, previously, a member of the IBDP History curriculum review team.
Holding Masters degrees in History and Education, Luke also teaches IBDP Economics and Theory of Knowledge.
Joyce Tang
University and Careers Guidance Counsellor - currently on maternity leave
Joyce’s personal philosophy is that all students have the ability to reach their greatest potential. In order to do so, each student needs to have a support system in place to help him/her find a balance between working hard, pursuing passions and interests, and achieving dreams. This is not only the key to earning a spot at the university of each student’s choice; but more importantly, it is the key to leading an enjoyable and fulfilling life.
Leah Verdone
University and Guidance Counsellor
Leah brings a decade of experience in university counselling, teaching English and Social Studies at both the high school and university level, and administration roles to her position. She possesses a passion for politics, economics, and education as they directly pertain to the post-graduation world students will enter. She is dedicated to utilizing the mentorship implicit in the role of University Counsellor to nurture greater independence, introspection, leadership, and resourcefulness necessary for students to excel and achieve their goals while maintaining balance and finding happiness throughout their tenure at Mulgrave.
Born in northern Ontario, Leah is a transplant to the BC coast, earning her Bachelor of Arts with a double major English and History from the University of Victoria and her PDPP in Secondary Education. She studied for an Master in Education in Leadership at Vancouver Island University. As a lifelong learner, she is currently working on a graduate Certificate in College Counselling from UCLA as a means of enriching her knowledge of US college admissions to better serve students applying to the US; additionally, the program inculcates the most progressive best practices throughout the industry while developing networking connections with US institutions and international educators.
What We Do
- Clear and ongoing communication with the Mulgrave community about what it takes to earn acceptance to post-secondary institution.
- Comprehensive Information and Resources that are easily accessible both online and in person.
- Information and Testing Services related to post-secondary application including access to external admissions assessments: PSAT, SAT, ACT, BMAT, TSA, etc.
- Building and enhancing close partnerships with post-secondary institutions such as attending conferences, hosting university fairs and visits, and much more.
