Graduate Peer Mentor Program
The Graduate Peer Mentor Program is a School of Graduate Studies initiative that strengthens graduate student experience through peer‑based mentoring, facilitation, and resource connection. The program also provides graduate students in mentoring, oversight, and outreach roles with structured professional development, leadership experience, and transferable employment skills.
The Graduate Peer Mentor Program aims to:
- Support graduate student well-being and success
- Normalize challenges across the graduate journey
- Increase awareness and use of SGS supports
- Foster belonging and connection across graduate programs
- Develop graduate students as ethical, inclusive peer leaders
- Create sustainable, student‑led support infrastructure
All graduate students are welcome to access peer mentoring services
Graduate Peer Mentor, Oversight GA, and Outreach GA roles are available to graduate students through a competitive selection process
Roles are designed to reflect a range of disciplines, lived experiences, and stages of graduate study.
Program Structure
The Graduate Peer Mentor Program is a self‑supporting graduate program with distinct but collaborative roles. Together, these roles ensure the program remains responsive, ethical, and sustainable.
- Provide one-to-one and group peer mentoring
- Normalize graduate experiences and transitions
- Support reflection, goal‑setting, and navigation
- Connect students to SGS and campus resources
- Work within clearly defined boundaries and referral pathways
- Strengthens visibility and awareness of the program
- Supports communication, promotion, and engagement
- Helps connect graduate students to mentoring opportunities
- Builds relationships between SGS initiatives and the graduate community
- Coordinates and supports the overall program
- Ensures ethical practice, consistency, and quality
- Supports training, reflection, and professional development
- Acts as a point of accountability and escalation when needed
Professional Development
Training and Professional Development
All Graduate Peer Mentors and GAs engage in ongoing training and reflective practice, including:
- Role clarity and professionalism
- Ethics, boundaries, and referral
- Inclusive communication and facilitation
- Navigating complex or ambiguous student situations
- Program evaluation and continuous improvement
- Career articulation and transferable skill development
Training emphasizes judgment, responsibility, and collaboration, rather than advice‑giving or problem‑solving.
Career-Relevant Experience
Participation in the Graduate Peer Mentor Program supports development in nationally recognized skill areas, including:
- Professional communication
- Leadership and teamwork
- Equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Teaching and mentorship
- Project and program coordination
The program is intentionally framed as paid, professional graduate experience, not volunteer service.
Gradhacks
Grad Hacks is a collection of videos developed by Graduate Peer Mentors that shares practical advice, tips, and lessons learned from graduate student experiences. From preparing conference presentations and writing a thesis to avoiding procrastination and overcoming perfectionism, these videos are designed to support students throughout their graduate journey.
Events
The graduate peer mentors attend all sessions of the student orientation to welcome all new summer and fall students, walk them through the modules and upcoming summer and provide a chance to ask questions.
New to graduate school? Come say hello! Stop by our Graduate Student Welcome Booth to meet our friendly Peer Mentors, ask questions, discover helpful campus resources, and pick up tips for making the most of your graduate experience. Whether you're looking for guidance, connections, or just a friendly face, we're here to help you feel at home. Drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and start building your graduate student community!
✨ No registration required. Just stop by and say hi! 👋
Celebrate the start of the semester with food, creativity, music, and community at our Fall Welcome! Join fellow graduate students and postdoctoral fellows for a fun and relaxed event featuring complimentary food, exciting prize giveaways, and colouring and crafting activities at every table.
Stop by the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) information table to learn about resources, supports, and opportunities to get involved on campus. Be sure to come say hello to the Graduate Student Peer Mentors and the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) team, who are excited to welcome you, answer your questions, and help you connect with the graduate community.
Capture the memories at our Polaroid photo station, enjoy great music, and take the opportunity to meet new people. Bring a friend or come make a friend. Whether you're new to campus or returning for another year, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect, relax, and kick off the academic year together.
Open to all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We can't wait to welcome you! 🍂🎶📸🎨🍕🎁👋
Graduate school can be busy, so take some time to relax, recharge, and connect with others. Join the Graduate Peer Mentors for a welcoming drop-in event featuring snacks, social activities, and opportunities to meet fellow graduate students from across disciplines.
This informal gathering is designed to help foster community, encourage new connections, and create a sense of belonging for graduate students at all stages of their programs. Whether you're looking to expand your network, make new friends, or simply enjoy a break in your day, we'd love to see you there. 🌟🍪☕👋
Details about specific activities to follow, so keep your eyes out 😊
Join the Graduate Peer Mentors for a festive end-of-term celebration as we wrap up the semester together! Take a break from your studies, connect with fellow graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, and enjoy an afternoon filled with food, fun, and community.
Celebrate the season with delicious treats, music, exciting prize giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to relax and recharge after a busy term. Don't forget to stop by our Polaroid photo station to capture memories with friends, colleagues, and new connections.
Whether you're looking to unwind, meet new people, or simply enjoy some cozy winter cheer, this event is a great way to connect with the graduate community before the winter break. Come with friends or come make new ones. Everyone is welcome!
✨ More details about activities and special attractions will be announced closer to the event. We can't wait to celebrate with you! ❄️📸🎉☕🎁🍪
Summer can be one of the most productive—and most challenging—times to stay on track as a graduate student. Structure fades, motivation fluctuates, and progress can feel harder to sustain. The Stay on Track Graduate Summer Series is designed to support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars through the summer hump by combining reflection, accountability, and focused work time.
The series begins by strengthening the provincial graduate support ecosystem, then shifts to student‑focused, drop‑in working sessions that help you keep moving on your research, writing, and projects—together.
Take a break from the end‑of‑term rush and join the Graduate Peer Mentors for a fun, relaxed celebration! Drop in anytime to enjoy appetizers, snacks, and good company in a low‑key, welcoming space designed for graduate students to unwind.
This casual gathering is a great chance to recharge, connect with peers, and wrap up the term together—no pressure, no agenda, just an easygoing afternoon among fellow grads.
We hope to see you there!
Email sgs.peermentor@uleth.ca if you have questions.
The SGS Writing Group sets out to provide a two-hour dedicated time and space for writing. The sessions will be drop-in with no registration required and no set agendas.
Meet the Graduate Peer Mentors
This link provides information about the Graduate Peer Mentors & Graduate Peer Mentor Support.