Academic Success Program Grad Mentor

**About Western**: Since 1878, Western University has been committed to serving our communities through the pursuit of academic excellence and by providing students, faculty, and community members with life-long opportunities for intellectual, social, and cultural growth. We seek excellent students, faculty, and staff to join us in what has become known as the "Western Experience" - an opportunity to contribute to a better world through the development of new knowledge, new abilities, new connections, and new ways to make a difference. **About Us**: **Academic Support & Engagement** provides tailored, comprehensive supports within inclusive spaces in which students become critically-engaged, self-determined learners. As a result of our work, students** discover** and develop their strengths, **establish** their academic identity, **engage** in leadership and learning opportunities, and build the confidence and the competence they need to **thrive**. We support students’ academic, personal, and professional growth through **Accessible Education; Learning Development & Success; Transition, Leadership & Enrichment; and the Writing Support Centre.** As valued partners in student learning, our work is situated at the intersection of curricular and co-curricular activities. We help students navigate academic and life transitions, remove barriers to full participation in all aspects of campus life, and contribute to the retention of Western students. Through our work we strive to help students create an university experience that helps them thrive. **Responsibilities**: ***: Academic Success Program (ASP) Grad Mentors are part of the **Learning Development & Success** team. They supervise the ASP **Study Hall **with varsity athletes, and provide support to the ASP Learning Peers and SAMP Mentors that have shifts in ASP Study Hall. Study Hall is a space where student athletes can go for dedicated study time or discuss general or course-specific learning concerns with a Learning Peer. As an **ASP** Grad Mentor, your role is to facilitate the connection of student athletes to ASP Learning Peers, so that student athletes can develop learning skills and strategies to succeed at university. Grad Mentors will also facilitate the connection to SAMP Mentors so that a wide variety of questions about the transition to university learning and competing as athlete at the university level. Learning Development & Success (LDS) offers a variety of services to all students at Western, providing support through individual counselling, 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, help peers, obtain teaching and leadership experience. - Gain exposure to and awareness of learning skills counselling issues. - Enhance awareness of personal learning strategies. - 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 3 hrs/wk in Study Hall (hours will be determined according to your availability). - Have weekly 15 minute meeting with each of your assigned teams (~ 1 hour). - Supervise the ASP Learning Peers and SAMP Mentors during Study Hall - Work with the ASP Coordinator to organize team meetings with the assigned Mustang teams - Attend initial training meetings and ongoing professional development meetings. - Post on the Learning Peers’ OWL discussion forum weekly. - Attend at least two LDS presentations in the fall term and read learning skills material (or watch videos) for professional development as required. - Complete reflections periodically throughout the year. One reflection task may include goal setting. - Promote and maintain a welcoming atmosphere in Study Hall. - Communicate with supervisor the hours that students attended Study Hall. - When working individually with a student, 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, etc.). - Use collaborative strategies to promote learning communities. - Discuss with supervisor any questions, difficulties, or problems. **POSITION REQUIREMENTS**: - Graduate students with a strong interest in leadership, mentorship, and learning skills. - Strong commu