Faculty - Student Mentorship
Start with Connection and Grow with Confidence.
Starting university is exciting—but there is also a lot to figure out.
How do you make the most of your first year? How do you start building relationships with professors? What opportunities should you be looking for now? And how are you supposed to know what you want to do with your degree when you've only just arrived?
You don't have to figure it all out on your own.
The Faculty–Student Mentorship Program connects first-year students with a faculty mentor and a small group of fellow students for informal conversations throughout the academic year.
It's an opportunity to make an early connection within the Business School, learn from the insights and experiences of faculty members, and begin finding your place in our community.
What Is the Faculty–Student Mentorship Program?
Students who join the program will be placed in small mentorship groups, with each faculty mentor supporting approximately 4–5 first and second year students over the academic year. This allows the program to serve many students while still keeping each mentoring group personal and manageable.
Each group will meet approximately twice per semester. The meetings aren't classes, tutorials or formal advising sessions. They are conversations.
Groups might talk about:
- Adjusting to university life
- Making connections and finding your place on campus
- Academic challenges and strategies for success
- Getting to know and approaching your professors
- Exploring different areas of business
- Careers and what you can do with your degree
- Networking and building professional relationships
- Getting involved in clubs, experiential learning and other opportunities
- Managing setbacks, uncertainty and changing plans
- Questions about university that you simply haven't known who to ask
Every mentoring group will be a little different because the conversations will be shaped by the students and participating faculty member in the group.
Who Can Participate?
The pilot program is open to all first and second year LANG students who would like to participate.
Joining is completely optional.
Because we want to keep mentoring groups small and meaningful, the number of student spaces will be limited and students will be accommodate on a first come first serve basis.
Why Join?
Know a Faculty Member Beyond the Classroom
Large classes can make university feel anonymous, particularly in first year. Mentorship gives you an opportunity to build a genuine connection with a faculty member in a smaller and more informal setting.
Ask the Questions You Don't Ask in Class
There are plenty of questions that don't fit neatly into a lecture or an academic advising appointment.
Your mentor can share perspective, help you think through questions and, when they aren't the right person to answer something, help point you toward someone who is.
Learn From Someone Who Has Been There
Your faculty mentor has navigated university, career decisions, successes, setbacks and probably a few unexpected turns along the way.
Mentorship gives you access to some of those experiences—and the opportunity to learn that successful careers rarely follow one perfectly planned path.
Meet Other Students
You're not just meeting a faculty mentor. You'll also get to know a small group of students who are navigating many of the same experiences you are.
Start Thinking About What's Possible
You do not need to know what career you want. In fact, first year is a great time to be curious.
Your mentor can help you think about your interests, introduce you to possibilities you may not have considered, and help you identify experiences and opportunities worth exploring during your time at university.
Participating Faculty
What Should I Expect?
A small group
You'll be matched with approximately 4–5 other students and a faculty mentor.
Four conversations
Your group will meet approximately twice each semester for about an hour.
An informal environment
There are no assignments, grades or presentations. Come ready to be curious, ask questions, listen and share as much as you are comfortable sharing.
Conversations that evolve with you
Early conversations may focus on adjusting to university and finding your footing. As the year progresses, you might explore academics, involvement, careers, networking, professional development and preparing for second year.
A faculty mentor who is there to support—not evaluate—you
Your mentor isn't there to assess your performance or tell you exactly what to do. Their role is to listen, share perspective, ask questions, encourage you and help you navigate the university environment.
Interested in joining?
Complete the short Expression of Interest form.
Tell us a little about yourself, what you're interested in and what you hope to gain from having a faculty mentor.
A university experience is so much more than just earning a degree. It is also about finding a sense of belonging and connecting with people who encourage and support your growth. Students should know from the moment they arrive, that their success and well-being matters. Sometimes, a meaningful connection with a faculty member can make all the difference in helping them find their way.
Sonia Dhaliwal
Associate Professor, Taxation & Accounting
Faculty Mentor