Below you will find the list of current peer mentor programs.
Bethune Student Ombuds Services (SOS)
Description:
Bethune supports the Faculty of Science and Lassonde School of Engineering as well as the broader York community; several peer led student support services are gathered together under SOS. Bethune provides leaders with hands on training, ongoing leadership development and consistent support through practicums, credited leadership courses, workshops, and retreats. SOS Peer Leaders provide their peers with mentoring, one-on-one academic support, facilitate study groups, run workshops and events, encourage community engagement and effective communication within their classes, and assist with outreach initiatives. SOS Peer Leaders model ethical leadership principles to bring about positive change within their communities.
For more information, visit: bethune.yorku.ca/sos
Tanya Da Sylva, PhD.
Academic Coordinator, Bethune College
bcadvisr@yorku.ca
Career Peer Educators
Description:
Career Peer Educators at the Career Centre are a team of YorkU students with extensive training and a desire to support other students and recent graduates on their career journey. Our Career Peer Educators work directly with the Career Development team and strive to empower students and recent graduates to feel confident in their career development by coaching them, providing personalized resources and sharing relevant peer experiences. You will find our friendly Career Peer Educators not only at the Career Centre, but also at the Red Zone, Learning Commons and campus events.
For more information, visit: careers.yorku.ca
Environmental Studies Peer Mentors
Description:
Our well-trained Peer Mentors are available to guide you and to help you over the course of your program. Their office is a wonderful place where you can meet other students in your program. Our Peer Mentors have excellent leadership qualities and excel academically. They will be able to provide you with the friendly support you need to help you navigate university life. The Faculty of Environmental Studies Peer Mentors are available Monday to Friday in HNES 125.
Ann Tsirgielis
Student Success Coordinator
anntsir@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 33510
Financial Support Peers
Description:
Financial Support Peers work with Student Financial Services to help students navigate the different government and York University financial aid programs, including OSAP, part-time loans and grants, scholarships and bursaries, out-of-province financial aid, loan repayment, loans from the United States, and the Bursary for Students with Disabilities. Our team can also help you read and understand your Student Account Online Statement. Whether you’re looking for an on-the-spot answer, an effective referral or an educational workshop, Financial Support Peers are here at the Bennett Centre to make things simpler, letting you put more time toward your studies and helping to maximize your financial aid.
For more information, visit: sfs.yorku.ca/financial-support-peers
GLLead: Glendon Campus Student Leadership Development Program
Description:
GLLead will bring together Glendon students who are aspiring, emerging, or current student leaders, community leaders, dreamers, and problem-solvers. The objectives of the program is to support in realizing their potential and evolution as leaders through intentional programming involving training, community involvement, and opportunities for continued reflection. The program aims to build self-efficacy in students in their personal development, contribution to a group, and impact within a community.
For more information, visit: glendon.yorku.ca/student-affairs/leadership-development/about/
Amanda Sartori
Coordinatrice de la vie étudiante / Student Life Coordinator
Bureau des affaires étudiantes / Office of Student Affairs
Campus Glendon / Glendon Campus
416-736-2100 ext. 66720
sartoria@glendon.yorku.ca
Health Education & Promotion
Description:
Our Peer Health Education Team, in collaboration with professional Health Educators, provides students with opportunities to practice and incorporate health strategies that can be used to support academic as well as social experiences at York from orientation until graduation and beyond. We provide education and support on the following topics: mental health, alcohol and other drugs, smoking cessation, nutrition and sexual health and operate from a harm reduction model.
For more information, visit: healthed.scld.yorku.ca
Lassonde Peer Helpers
Description:
The Lassonde Peer Helpers is a student-coordinated, peer support service that aids new students make a smooth transition to life at Lassonde. Our aim is to provide a positive, encouraging community that supports the academic and personal development of students at the Lassonde School of Engineering.
For more information, visit: lassonde.yorku.ca/peersupport-0
Email: lassondesquad@gmail.com or visit the Facebook page for “Lassonde Peer Helpers”
Learning Skills Services
At Learning Skills Services, we work with ALL York students at any level of study, undergraduate and graduate, to help them identify how they learn best and how to develop their own learning and organizational strategies to better achieve their academic goals. Our team of Learning Skills Peers (LSP’s) play an important role in promoting and delivering various learning skills services across the university. The LSP’s facilitate our Learning Skills workshops, provide academic success resources at the Learning Commons Welcome Desk and in various outreach events, and they also offer one on one academic peer coaching sessions.
For more information, visit: lss.info.yorku.ca
Mona Frial-Brown & Cathy Boyd-Withers
Learning Skills Specialists, Learning Skills Services
Learning Commons, Scott Library
416-736-2100 ext. 21048 mfrial@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 33215 cathybw@yorku.ca
McLaughlin College
McLaughlin College has an active peer mentoring network which
connects first year students with mentors who have the same
program majors. In the coming year, there will be social events and
social media connections through twitter and Facebook to create
communities of students helping one another. We also have the MALL
(McLaughlin Academic Life Line) office, which is located on the first
floor of the College close to the entrance doors. Mentors will be in
the office from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm every day from Monday to Friday.
For more information, visit: mclaughlin.laps.yorku.ca
MHDS Peer Mentors
Description:
MHDS Peer Mentors provide Peer-to-peer support to students registered with Mental Health Disability Services. The objective of this program is for students with lived experience of mental health to be able to connect with others in a safe environment, to have access to resources and to address stigmatization and barriers around mental health and wellness. The program is designed to bring student voice and wisdom into MHDS programming and services. The peer leader program also generates opportunities for professional, personal and wellness development for peer leaders.
For more information, visit: mhds.info.yorku.ca/peer-mentor-program
Jessica Warnock and Reesa Grushka
Disability Counsellors
jwarnock@yorku.ca, rgrushka@yorku.ca
New College
Description:
New College provides leaders with the tools for academic achievement and personal success outside the classroom. These tools include but not limited to, leadership development, training, mentoring, facilitated study groups (PASS), events and skills-based workshops.
NEW COLLEGE PROGRAMS
PASS – Peers Assisting Student Success: new-college.laps.yorku.ca/pass/
Weekly group-learning sessions for difficult courses which are facilitated by a trained “PASS leader”, that is, an upper-year student who has completed the respective course in a previous term with an A or A+.
PEER MENTORSHIP: new-college.laps.yorku.ca/get-involved/be-a-peer-mentor/
New College organizes a peer-to-peer program that helps first-year ADMS, HRM, ITEC and DEM students (mentees) have a smooth transition to university life, while at the same time giving upper-year students a volunteering opportunity to develop their leadership skills by helping a new member of the York community. For the duration of a term, Peer Mentors offer support to their mentees by answering questions and sharing the ‘inside scoop’ about York programs, courses, services and resources. Peer Mentors receive training as well as a certificate.
UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE PRESENTER: new-college.laps.yorku.ca/get-involved/university-experience-presenter/
This program provides a meaningful volunteer experience for current undergraduate students who visit local high schools and share their own experiences. The goal is to inform high school students of what to expect as individuals when they leave high schools and enter university. University Experience Presenters are trained volunteers.
For more information, visit: new-college.laps.yorku.ca/
Lorraine Myrie
New College, Office of the College Head
140 Atkinson
PAWS
Description:
To better support first year student-athletes, Varsity Athletics created the Providing Athletes with Winning Strategies program (PAWS) in 2010. This program aims to enhance the student-athlete’s experience, to aid in academic support, increase student retention and to strengthen feelings of connectedness to York University, Athletics and Recreation, and the Varsity Lion’s community. As a peer mentor driven program, first year student-athletes are paired with an upper year mentor and mentor in training (ideally matched by their program of study) and a meeting is held on a weekly basis. One PAWS session is offered each day of the week. Sessions are 90 minutes in length and combine presentations / knowledge translation and guided study time in every session.
For more information, visit: yorkulions.ca
Kathryn Johnston
Peer Mentor Program
Description:
ACMAPS supports the success and campus engagement of mature and part-time students from admissions through to graduation. The Peer mentor program places a high value on student leadership. Our peer leaders are roles models supporting student transition and student development through student-to-student contact. The mature student mentors are experienced, upper-year students with practical career skills, academic skills and advanced leadership skills. The goals of the program include contributing to student success and retention and growing the mature student community on campus through volunteer service. The program is grounded in transformational leadership and includes one-one support, training, event support and skills development workshops and encourages our student leaders to be involved in a range of programming within the Centre.
For more information, visit: acmaps.info.yorku.ca/mentor-program/
RED Zone
Description:
The RED Zone and the Parent & Family programs aims to support transition of incoming students and their parents and families. The RED Zone provides access to the services, programs and resources you need to jump into University life with confidence and comfort both online and in person.
For more information, visit: redzone.scld.yorku.ca/about-us/
Shaila Khan
Coordinator, Student Transitions Program
Residence Life
Residence Life fosters academic success, engagement and personal development in our residence communities. Our student leaders are committed to supporting students living in residence by creating a safe and healthy living and learning community that supports an academic lifestyle by meeting educational and community objectives. Our student leaders develop valuable skills to succeed in their role and beyond.
For more information, visit: reslife.yorku.ca
Social Orientation - YODA
Description:
The York Orientation Directors Association (YODA) is a collection of student leaders representing the 9 colleges of York University as well as 2 Faculties. The goal of YODA is to provide a successful transition into first year for incoming students by planing the best possible Orientation Week a student can have. This group spends 4 months planning and executing the Fall Orientation week to ensure it is an inclusive, educational, and fun experience for all.
For more information, visit: orientation.yorku.ca
Jair Kallidumbil
Student Relations Coordinator
Student Success Centre
Email: jairak@yorku.ca
416-736-2100 ext. 22694
Student Accessibility Services Peer Mentors
Peer Mentors provide Peer-to-peer support to students registered with Mental Health Disability Services. The objective of this program is for students with lived expeirence of mental health to be able to connect with others in a safe environment, to have access to resources and to address stigmatization and barriers around mental health and wellness. The program is designed to bring student voice and wisdom into MHDS programming and services. The peer leader program also generates opportunities for professional, personal and wellness development for peer leaders.
Jessica Warnock and Reesa Grushka
Disability Counsellors
Student Clubs & Organizations
Description:
Student organizations are the heart of engagement of York University. With over 400 student organization on campus , there is something for everyone. Whether you want to join a sports club, earn about a new culture, find a new hobby or get more out of your academic program, student organizations at York can help you.
For more information, visit: studentclubs.scld.yorku.ca
Club Peer Mentor Office
416-736-2100 ext. 44530
yuclubs@yorku.ca
Student Success Programs
Calumet and Stong Colleges inspire learning, leadership, and citizenship through a wide range of student success programs that support students’ transition, academic success, personal growth, and professional development. Supports and services hosted within the Colleges include Orientation, Peer Assisted Student Sessions, Peer Tutoring, Peer Mentoring, College Ambassadors, Health and Wellness Peer Education, and the Agents of Change program. Peer leaders support all aspects of these programs including delivering workshops, coordinating special events, and providing one-on-one support.
For more information, visit: stong.yorku.ca and calumet.yorku.ca
Cynthia Goodgellow
Vanier Peer Mentoring
It helps to know someone is willing to listen and help. The Vanier Peer Mentor office is open five days a week and staffed by successful upper-level students. Students may get help with issues they face: navigating the campus, finding resources, helping with study tips, managing your time, dealing with stress, getting feedback on essays, or just talking about life as a student. You are welcome to drop in anytime for help.
For more information, visit: vanier.laps.yorku.ca/peer-mentors-program/ or email vcmentor@yorku.ca
YU START New Student Transition Program
YU START is York’s new student transition program which includes an Online Enrolment Tutorial, an interactive University 101 platform, and a series of student-leader facilitated Facebook groups. YU START is also responsible York’s largest one-day event, York Orientation Day, at which students meet with professors and upper-year students, learn about their academic program, and attend the York Welcome Ceremony at Lion’s Stadium.
For more information, visit: yustart.yorku.ca