We have officially opened applications for our Fall mentorship program. This is a call to students at all stages—from eager undergraduates to seasoned graduate students. Undergrads, regardless of year, and first or second-year grad students can join as mentees, while upper-year undergrads and all grad students can offer their insights as mentors. Our goal is simple: to pair individuals who can grow and learn from each other, enriching their academic and personal journeys.

Our program focuses on supporting women in science, but it is open to all students at UVic. It’s a great opportunity to seek or offer guidance and make meaningful connections that last beyond our campus.

Students can directly apply here: https://www.uvicwomeninscience.com/pmp.

Thank you for helping us build a stronger community!

The Chemistry Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is seeking undergrad members.  As a bonus, service on the committee includes a co-curricular experience on your record.  https://www.uvic.ca/career-services/build-your-career/co-curricular-experiences/index.php

CAGIS is an award winning not-for-profit organization that supports interest in Science, Technology, Trades, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among girls and gender nonconforming youth with local clubs that visit labs, workshops, and field sites to meet mentors and do fun, hands-on activities.

Volunteers help to plan, organize and assist at these local events, and act as role models and mentors to the youth participants.

Learn more and apply here to volunteer:  https://girlsinscience.ca/volunteer/

Please contact the local club at Victoria@GirlsInScience.ca with any questions, or check out our website for more details.

Canadian Association for Girls in Science (CAGIS)

The Peer Support Centre (PSC) is a safer space created to be an inclusive and comfortable space for students from all walks of life. It operates as a first point of contact for students looking for mental health support, referrals, and other resources. We operate through a face-to-face Peer Support model that is offered out of SUB B035 in the basement of the student union building, and through virtual pre-booked appointments.

PSC student volunteers (from all faculties and programs) are highly trained in suicide prevention, active listening, cultural competencies, in order to offer non-judgmental, empathetic and confidential support to their peers.

The volunteer program is especially popular with psychology, sociology, and social work students as it is highly relevant to those wishing to pursue trauma-centered careers; however, they have also had students from a variety of faculties (ie. Engineering and Fine Arts) bring great value to the team. The PSC encourages folks of diverse backgrounds to apply.

The PSC offers full training, volunteer support, reference letters, and professional development opportunities to our volunteers, which makes the organization an excellent choice for those pursuing next steps after graduation that require volunteer hours (ie. med school), but also creates a safe and welcoming space for those who find fulfillment through volunteering. 

Details are as follows:

Who: Students of any faculty who are open-minded, empathetic, and would like to help their fellow students. 

What: Peer Support — providing non-judgemental, confidential, and compassionate support to peers from all walks of life (training provided)

Where: In person on the UVic campus, SUB B035 and virtually through doxy.me

When: September 2022-April 2023 (negotiable and flexible). 2-4 hours a week (Centre hours are Monday-Thursday from 11:00am-4:00pm)

Why: Fulfillment from helping your peers navigate difficult situations, full and robust mental health training, consistent volunteer hours, professional development opportunities, and reference letters.

If this volunteer opportunity is of interest to you, please see the application form at https://uvss.ca/peer-support-centre/ and email your application form, resume, and cover letter to pscoperations@uvss.ca by end of day on July 13th.

Note – this volunteer opportunity can be included on your co-curricular record.

Hi Undergraduate Students,

The Chemistry Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee (Chem EDI) is looking for an undergraduate student to join the committee. See below for the updated application process (very straightforward), your role on the committee (very important) and the time commitment required (not too much!).

Time commitment:

• Minimum 1-year commitment. The usual term is 2 years, with renomination possible after this time.
• On average the time commitment is: 1h meeting a month, 1-2h answering emails per month, plus 1-2h to help run an event (if you are involved in that event).

You role on the committee:

• Supporting us in our mandate to ensure that the Chemistry Department is a safe, respectful and inclusive working and learning environment.
• Developing, together with the rest of Chem EDI, EDI-related educational activities for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows and researchers in the Department.

To apply:

• Submit a statement of intent (maximum 1-2 paragraphs) to chemedi@uvic.ca describing your thoughts regarding the role of the Chem EDI committee, how you would contribute to the Chem EDI committee, and any previous relevant experience.
• The deadline for submission of the statement of intent is Monday 11 of April 2022. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a 20 minute interview for the position.

If you have questions about the position or the Chem EDI committee, please reply to this email, or feel free to contact any of the committee members listed on the Chem EDI website.

Best wishes,
The Chem EDI committee

Dear Students,

We are looking for Global Community (GC) Conversation Partners and Global Community (GC) Mentors to begin volunteering with us for Fall 2022.

Our Spring Application Deadline is March 27th, 2022. For more information and to apply you can click here!

GC Mentors volunteer to offer friendship and guidance for students as they navigate their social and academic transition to UVic and Canada. Volunteers organize meetups weekly to help students who are interested in intercultural connections get involved with our community. Click here for more information.

GC Conversation Partners volunteer to provide students, who have English as an additional language, with opportunities to practice and improve their conversational English skills. Volunteers meet up with students weekly to practice conversation all while building global relationships. Click here for more information.

To volunteer for the 2022-2023 Academic Year we are accepting applications now! Our Spring Application Deadline is March 27^th 2022. Apply by clicking here!

Benefits of being a Global Community volunteer:

• Grow your community by offering support and friendship to students from around the world
• Promote cross-cultural understanding and awareness on campus
• Broaden your own global perspectives while working with others
• Develop leadership and interpersonal skills
• Engage in meaningful personal and professional development trainings
• Receive a letter of recognition and future references (for employment, professional/graduate school applications)
• Build your UVic Co-Curricular Record (CCR): a University-validated record of volunteer engagement

We look forward to your applications! If you have any questions about the UVic Global Community, please contact Cecilia Rose & Theresa Wanninger, Global Community Advisers, at gcmentor@uvic.ca.

Cheers,
Cecilia & Theresa
Global Community Adviser, International Centre for Students
gcmentor@uvic.ca | www.uvic.ca/globalcommunity

Let’s Talk Science Outreach Program at UVic is a not-for-profit volunteer organization that delivers STEM education and activities to classrooms and individual students from K-12.  At UVic Let’s Talk Science, we have created a mentorship program for high school students looking to make valuable connections and gain experience alongside knowledgeable university students. We are looking for UVic students who are taking STEM degrees to serve as mentors.

The intent of this mentorship program is to provide university students with an opportunity to gain volunteer experience while guiding prospective STEM students as a knowledgeable and approachable mentor at UVic.

Student mentors are trained to:

• Provide insight on university life and involvement in opportunities related to their area of study.
• Give advice on post-secondary applications, as well as scholarships, bursaries, and loans.
• Advise on STEM topics to students.
• Provide support and tips on studying, time-management, and well-being.
• Be a role model to their student mentees!​​

This program has a 1-2 hour time commitment per month after a required 2 hour training session, and runs from November 2021 to April 2022.

This is the link to a short application form to apply for the Mentor position:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQE6tVncFuixqmC8xWdnHPFDReGEj5u5w5Xl1SYjvcni9NRQ/viewform

The deadline to fill out this form is Saturday, October 23rd at 5:00PM.