POSITION SUMMARY:
The Learning Development and Success (LDS) Graduate Mentors are part of the Learning Development & Success team. They support the ASP Study Hub, Peer Assisted Learning Centre, Student-Lead Learning Groups, and Graduate Study Club. They provide support to the undergraduate Learning Peers and Student Athlete Mentors who assist our student clients. Undergraduate Learning Peers and Mentors provide course specific and learning skills support to undergraduate students and student-athletes at Western.
As an LDS Grad Mentor, your role is to facilitate the connection between student clients and Learning Peers, so that students can develop learning skills and strategies to succeed at university. Grad Mentors will offer support to the Learning Peers by assisting LDS staff with training, supervision and professional development opportunities. They will also assist LDS staff with the administration of the ASP Study Hub, Peer Assisted Learning Centre, and Graduate Study Club. They also participate in programming offered through the LDS team.
Learning Development & Success (LDS) offers a variety of services to all students at Western, providing support through individual appointments, the PAL Centre and group presentations. The LDS team helps students cope with the demands of post-secondary learning, assisting them in identifying strengths and developing new skills and strategies for success. All of these services are available for both successful students wanting to maintain their already strong academic standing and those having academic difficulties (learning.uwo.ca).
What will you gain from this role?
- Develop and enhance skills for interpersonal communication including public speaking skills
- Experience in teaching, coaching, mentorship and leadership
- Gain exposure to and awareness of learning skills strategy and support
- Enhance awareness of Western’s undergraduate student experience
- Attain personal satisfaction and growth from being involved in a helping capacity
- Receive feedback via a midterm and year-end performance review
- Obtain recognition through Western’s Co-curricular Record
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work hrs/wk in Study Hub or PAL Centre (hours will be determined according to your availability) – offering supervision to Learning Peers and learning skills support to student clients
- Work with Student Learning Development Specialists to organize training and professional development for Learning Peers
- Organize and deliver orientation materials to Western’s student-athletes through email communications, short presentations/team visits, and check ins with stakeholders
- Complete reflections periodically throughout the year and engage in ongoing professional development with LDS Staff
- Promote and maintain a welcoming atmosphere in Study Hub, PAL Centre, Graduate Study Club, or Student-Lead Learning Groups
- Track attendance and encourage student clients to offer feedback on their experiences
- Assist LDS staff with administrating and facilitating Graduate Study Club
- When working individually with a student client, listen to and understand the student’s questions and concerns (intellectual and emotional) and actively engage in problem solving with the student (Examples of student questions/concerns: time management, test preparation and test taking, reading strategies, problem-solving, low grades, locating resources, understanding course concepts)
- Use collaborative strategies to promote learning communities
- Support the Learning Development and Success team with events and service as needed (e.g. Study Café, small group programming, panel discussions)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- Graduate student with a strong interest in leadership, mentorship, and learning skills
- Strong communication (attending, listening, speaking) skills
- Good working knowledge of campus resources
- Problem-solving abilities
- Strong interpersonal skills resulting in the ability to approach students, inquire about what they are working on, engage them in conversation, and connect them to the appropriate Learning Peer, SAMP Mentor, or campus support when necessary
TERM LENGTH:
- One academic year, August 2026 to April 2027
TIME COMMITMENT:
- Up to 6 hours per week
- Approximately 8 hours of LDS training in September
- Approximately 3-4 hours per month of professional development with LDS
