February 16, 2009

In the fall of 2008, the Office of the Registrar in Engineering created two new programs for international students: the Engineering International Student Mentorship Program and the Engineering International Student Coaching Program.

The Mentorship Program was created to help first year international students find success in their transition to university. Paired with an upper year Engineering student, the international student meets at least once each month, and also connect with his/her mentor through email, phone, and Facebook on a regular basis. At the end of the 2008-2009 academic year mentees will receive a certificate of completion signed by the Faculty Registrar and Chair of First Year.

The Office of the Registrar pairs first year mentees and upper year Engineering students according to similarities in academic interest and extracurricular activities as well as similarities in career goals. All mentors attended a mandatory orientation session, which was followed by a Meet and Greet Event at which mentors met their mentee in September. 

The Coaching Program pairs international students in any year of Engineering with a faculty or staff coach. The program was designed to help students improve their motivation and effectiveness to ensure they continue in university and achieve their goals. The coaches work with the students to address a wide range of issues and obstacle that may affect the students’ success, particularly in balancing numerous commitments.

Coaching is a professional partnership that is based on a mutual respect, acceptance and consideration between the coach and student. Students meet with their coaches at least once each month for 20 minutes from September to April. This program was modeled after Seneca College’s “Coach Approach”.