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Peer Mentoring

Learn more about becoming a Peer Mentor

At the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary Curricular Peer Mentoring Network integrates peer mentors into undergraduate classrooms across all university faculties with the goal to “encourage student engagement and to build stronger learning communities across campus” (Curricular Peer Mentoring, n.d.).

Peer mentors are typically senior level undergraduate students who have previously taken the course being offered. They work with course instructors to provide academic support and guidance to students currently taking a course. Peer mentors partake in regular classroom environment and work closely with instructors and students both inside and outside of the classroom

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Peer Mentoring in CRDS

The peer mentorship program in CRDS advances the student’s potential contributions and learning. Given the role of a Peer Mentor stands as their senior level practicum placement (CORE 594/595), there are added elements required from the student to meet those specific course objectives. The CRDS mentorship position offers senior level students a hybrid role of “curricular peer mentor” and “practicum supervisor.” As such, senior students, as mentors, develop skills to enhance student classroom learning at the first year level, while also supporting those same students in their own, course required community based practicums. As such, CRDS Peer Mentors maintain the goals and values of the UCalgary Peer Mentoring Network while also expanding their own capacity as future leaders, managers, networkers and community change makers.

Role and Responsibilities of Peer Mentors

Participate

Participate in CMCL 507 - Introduction to Peer Mentoring (for credit) during fall semester.

Assist

Be organized, prepared and available to assist with student questions

Communicate

Maintain ongoing communication with course instructors.

Create

Create assignments that allow students to link theory to practice through reflection and reinforcement of course content.

Design

Design tutorials, pop up seminars and in class discussions, relevant to the course content and practicum experience, to further enhance student learning.

Evaluate

Evaluate student learning associated with practicum and providing adequate rationale for suggested evaluations; (these evaluations are reviewed and approved by the course instructor prior to release)

Provide Support

Provide extra support to students surrounding lecture material, assignments, and practicum experiences

The following testimonials are those of CRDS peer mentors who mentored CORE 205 & 207 classrooms in the 2019-2020 academic year.

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"Throughout the year, I have come to understand the significance of my role as a mentor. I have come to regard peer mentoring as a mutually beneficial relationship between mentors and students. I gained an overall improvement in my professional, leadership and organizational skills while helping students enhance their learning and practicum experiences"

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“Peer mentoring helped me gain a sense of who I am as a leader as I grew in my own personal and professional development. As a peer mentor, I got to encourage and witness the students' growth as they developed critical thinking skills, made connections between theory and practice and came to understand course content as it relates to their own lives. Furthermore, it entailed cultivating meaningful partnerships that have a lasting impact on the individuals involved.”