Peer Mentorship Program (HPMP)

Program Description

The Department of History Peer Mentorship Program (HPMP) provides an opportunity for third and fourth year History majors to work directly with undergraduate History students in a variety of co-curricular capacities. One of the core purposes of the HPMP is to work closely with undergraduate History students to help them with their transition to university life and learning. Mentors will be paired with a student (or students) at the beginning of September, and will be expected to communicate and meet with their mentee(s) throughout the year. Though peer mentors will be expected to work directly with first-year students, the program also requires peer mentors to work collaboratively with the Department Peer Mentor Coordinator and with each other to develop and facilitate a series of activities designed to meet the objectives of the program. Successful participation in the Department of History Peer Mentorship Program either as a Mentee or Mentor will be added to your Co-Curricular Record (CCR). This record complements your academic transcript when applying for jobs and when making application to a graduate or professional program.

Peer Mentor Duties and Responsibilities

The exact nature of mentoring varies depending on the specific needs of the mentee and the experiences and skills of the mentor. However, the following duties and responsibilities are expected:

  • to meet regularly with mentee(s) in a place arranged by the History department (location and frequency of meetings will be announced);
  • to work collaboratively with other peer mentors and the Peer Mentor Coordinator to develop a series of department-wide workshops/events to be held throughout the  academic year;
  • to participate in the training session(s) organized by the Peer Mentor Coordinator in the fall, and in program development meetings;
  • to build a professional relationship with other mentors, and with student mentees and the Peer Mentor Coordinator;
  • to be sensitive to diversity (understood in terms of culture, ethnicity, race, gender, religion, and sexual orientation), and also to different learning styles (all of this will be discussed as part of peer mentor training);
  • to address any problems or concerns you may have to the Department Peer Mentor Coordinator; and
  • to participate in a year-end assessment of the HPMP, and in doing so, provide concrete suggestions to how the program may be improved to serve changing needs and expectations of our student body.

Peer Mentor Qualifications

Mentors are typically in their third or fourth year of a History program, in good academic standing, and demonstrate the following:

  • a genuine interest in History and learning (must be enrolled in a History Department Honours Program;
  • good communication and time-management skills; and
  • past experience in teaching, mentoring, or coaching is a definite asset (but not required).

Become a Mentee or Mentor Today!

If you are interested in participating either as a Mentee or a Mentor, please contact the Department Peer Mentor Coordinator, Dr. Steven Jobbitt at sjobbitt@lakeheadu.ca and/or Dr. Michael Stevenson at mstevens@lakeheadu.ca, ideally prior to Sept. 1 for Mentors, and by the end of the first week of Fall classes for Mentees.

Applications received later are always welcome!