Advancing U of G’s Distinctive Student Experience That Fuels Success and Future Impact
The University of Guelph is taking a holistic and inclusive approach to support student success. This includes continued investment in experiential learning opportunities and flexible academic pathways for our students to gain real-world experience, while creating a supportive and welcoming environment for our global community. Additionally, our dedication to providing comprehensive mental health and wellness supports establishes U of G as a leader in fostering healthy and successful student experiences.
Goals
- Propel student success by guaranteeing every student an experiential learning opportunity and flexible pathways for studying in and across disciplines.
- Design and deliver supports and services to ensure that international students thrive and have a sense of belonging within U of G’s community.
- Be recognized as a leader in providing mental health services and supports for our students and their support networks.
Key Measures
2023-24 / 2024-25 / 2025 - 26
- Percent of students graduating with at least one experiential learning opportunity: 76% / 77% / 80%
- Percent of students who agree or strongly agree that they feel a sense of belonging to the university community: 69% / 74% / 73%
- Percent of students who believe they are receiving adequate mental and emotional support: 78% / 84% / 84%
- Percent of students who reported their mental well-being as excellent, good, or average: 73% / 79% / 79%
- Percent of first-year students who continued to their second year: 91% / 92% / 93%
Achievements
Expanding Access to Experiential Learning
Our Co-operative Education Program became the second largest university co-op program in Ontario and fifth largest in Canada, with 65 programs and more than 3,500 paid work terms completed in the previous year. The new Work Experience program will further expand access to paid, full-time work-integrated learning in programs without traditional co-op options.
Creating More Flexible Student Pathways
U of G is leading implementation of the new Ontario Transfer Credit System to make credit transfer more transparent and student-centred. A new guaranteed admission pathway also connects eligible U of G-Humber graduates with U of G’s Master of Arts in Mental Health.
Expanding Spaces for Student Learning
New and modernized spaces are being added across campus to support a growing student community. Classroom projects will provide larger, more accessible teaching spaces for fall 2026, while a campus-wide initiative will create approximately 850 to 900 new study and gathering spaces across a dozen buildings.
Strengthening Student Well-being
Healthy Campus provides a common framework connecting programs, services and spaces that support students’ mental, physical and social well-being. New graduate student supports, including a peer support network and dedicated counselling, provide additional low-barrier options for connection and care.