A photo of four young people, presumably students are seating and standing on a bench in front of a red brick wall. They are chatting and laughing with each other. They have duotangs and binders in their hands

Peer Mentoring

Learn more about becoming a Peer Mentor

What is a Peer Mentor?

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.

a photo of paper hands. They are all different colors (blue, pink, green, purples etc.)

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 & students. I gained an overall improvement in my professional, leadership & organizational skills while helping students enhance their learning and practicum experiences

Awatif Daoud

A birds eye view of comic / cartoon sized people holding hands forming a circle

After having been given the opportunity to mentor other students, my own perceptions have shifted significantly. I feel as though I have become a better leader and advocate, while continuing to progress as both a learner and the teacher.

Megan King

A birds eye view of seven people holding different colored puzzle pieces in a circle trying to piece them together

My experience as a mentor has been rewarding as I have watched my mentee students grow and develop new skills both inside and outside of the classroom and I take pride in knowing I took part in that

Kennedy Marshall