Peer Programs

QSuccess is a transition program available to all first-year students. QSuccess mentors work 1:1 with first-year students to help ease the transition to university life. First-year students have the opportunity to self-match or be matched with an upper year mentor who is responsible for building a good rapport with their mentees and sharing their own relevant experiences to help the transition to Queen’s. Mentors guide students who participate in QSuccess through exercises to build tangible social, academic, and healthy lifestyle skills to support their transition to life at university. This is an ideal opportunity for students who are looking to find meaningful ways to engage with their peers in a structured setting and to give back to Queen’s. 

Number of Positions: Up to 200 

Time Commitment: July 2026-April 2027, 3-4 hours/week. Mentors are assigned up to 3 mentees at a time. Meetings are 1 hour/mentee, on a weekly basis. Mentors are required to participate in small mentor meetings, up to 1.5 hours bi-weekly and be engaged participants in discussions and events.

Start Date: July 2026 (Exact date TBD)  

Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Mentorship  
  • Build positive rapport with mentees  
  • Assess skills that require improvement  
  • Identify strategies for change  
  • Coach, guide and model effective problem solving and academic study skills  
  • Engage participants in a planning process for attending events that are available on campus and that help to build skills and new understandings  
• Diversity and Inclusivity 
  • Create a welcoming and inclusive space for mentees from a variety of backgrounds and experiences 
  • Listen and support mentee experiences in a non-judgmental way  
  • Recognize and help mentees to identify potential signs of personal distress  
  • Encourage self-reflection and open-mindedness  
  • Assist mentees in forming community connections  
  • Appropriately offer resources and referrals  
• Administration  
  • Attend all required training and meetings as communicated by program coordinators 
  • Complete weekly mentoring logs and a final program survey 
  • Proactively communicate potential problems, ongoing concerns and activities by submitting updates to the coordinators 
  • Work collaboratively with other members of the QSuccess Program  

Required Qualifications:  

• Have experience providing personal support and forming helping relationships (e.g., mentoring, tutoring, and coaching)    
• Have an interest, passion and enthusiasm for helping peers  
• Have a good understanding of challenges facing first year students  
• Be able to set work priorities to meet deadlines and possess excellent organizational skills  
• Demonstrate good judgement and creative conflict management/problem-solving skills  
• Be knowledgeable about the University, its administrative processes, and the various programs and support services/resources that are available to students  
• Be self-reflective, patient and empathetic  
• Be available for, attend, and actively participate in all QSuccess trainings, meetings, and sessions. Training will be offered remotely throughout the summer months  
• Act in accordance to a signed Queen’s University confidentiality agreement  

Eligibility: QSuccess Mentors must be full-time equivalent Queen’s undergraduate or graduate students with at least one year experience at Queen’s and submit a satisfactory Canadian Police Information Check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Check. They will be responsible to maintain a clean CPIC and Vulnerable Sector Check for the duration of their role.  

Benefits for Volunteers: 

• Build community at Queen’s 
• Develop as a Mentor and build skills transferable into the workplace  
• Certificate of contribution for your professional portfolio  
• Meet other students with similar interests  

Program Contact: Gabriela Ludusan, Peer Programs Coordinator, gabriela.ludusan@queensu.ca  

Mentors in the Upper Year Peer Mentor Program are trained to provide one-on-one academic and personal support for up to three (3) program participants who are in their 2nd year to PhD via weekly 1-hour meetings.  Transition doesn't stop after the first year, so the Peer Mentor Program is designed to match students in second year or above with upper-year peer mentors to build confidence, encourage healthy lifestyles, and contribute to a satisfying university experience. Mentorship is an ideal opportunity for students who are looking to find meaningful ways to engage with their peers in a structured setting and to give back to Queen’s.

Number of Positions: All successful candidates are accepted into the program

Time Commitment: September 2026-April 2027, up to 3 hours/week. Mentors will be assigned up to 3 mentees at a time. Meetings will be 1 hour/mentee, on a weekly basis. Mentors may be required to participate in small mentor meetings, up to 1.5 hours bi-weekly and be engaged participants in discussion boards and events.

Start Date: September 2026 

Responsibilities/Duties:

• 1) Mentorship  
  • Build positive rapport with mentees  
  • Assess skills that require improvement  
  • Identify strategies for change  
  • Coach, guide and model effective problem solving and academic study skills  
  • Engage participants in a planning process for attending events that are available on campus and that help to build skills and new understandings  
• 2) Diversity and Inclusivity 
  • Create a welcoming and inclusive space for mentees from a variety of backgrounds and experiences  
  • Listen and support mentee experiences in a non-judgmental way  
  • Recognize and help mentees to identify potential signs of personal distress  
  • Encourage self-reflection and open-mindedness  
  • Assist mentees in forming community connections  
  • Appropriately offer resources and referrals  
• 3) Administration  
  • Attend all required training and meetings as communicated by program coordinators 
  • Complete weekly mentoring logs and a final program survey 
  • Proactively communicate potential problems, ongoing concerns and activities by submitting updates to the coordinators 
  • Work collaboratively with other members of the UYPM Program  

Required Qualifications:

• Have experience providing personal support and forming helping relationships (e.g., mentoring, tutoring, and coaching)
• Demonstrate intercultural competence and a knowledge of equity, diversity and inclusion principles
• Have an interest, passion and enthusiasm for helping peers
• Have a good understanding of challenges facing first year students
• Be able to set work priorities to meet deadlines and possess excellent organizational skills
• Be an active listener and have excellent interpersonal skills
• Demonstrate good judgement and creative conflict management/problem-solving skills
• Be knowledgeable about the University, its administrative processes, and the various programs and support services/resources that are available to students
• Be self-reflective, patient and empathetic
• Be available for, attend, and actively participate in all Q Success trainings, meetings, and sessions. Training will be offered remotely throughout the summer months
• Act in accordance to a signed Queen’s University confidentiality agreement

Eligibility: Mentors must be full-time equivalent Queen’s undergraduate or graduate students with at least one year experience at Queen’s and submit a satisfactory Canadian Police Information Check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Check. They will be responsible to maintain a clean CPIC and Vulnerable Sector Check for the duration of their role.

Program Contact: Gabriela Ludusan, Peer Programs Coordinator, gabriela.ludusan@queensu.ca

Student Academic Success Services (SASS) offers academic support to students who wish to develop their skills in critical thinking, reading, learning, studying, writing, and self-management. We welcome Queen’s undergraduate and graduate students at all stages of program completion and all levels of ability.   

This group of positions supports undergraduate student success by facilitating group outreach workshops and events, developing content for SASS’ promotional materials (print and digital), and/or providing group and individualized learning support to first- and second-year students. 

Number of Positions: TBD     

Time Commitment: 6-8 hours/month  

Start Date: September 2026 (some training to take place over the summer) 

Responsibilities/Duties:

General:  

• Attend pre-service and on-going training opportunities; continuously seek to improve skills and knowledge pertaining to the position   
• Support first- and second-year students as they develop their academic skills and improve their confidence in studying, learning, writing, and self-management 
• Engage in problem-solving if/when difficulties arise  
• Advise all students, including international students, English language learners, and neurodivergent students 
• SASS Peers work collaboratively with our professional staff through a team-based model. When applying, please indicate which of the following team(s) you’d be most interested in joining (peers may participate in more than one team): 

Outreach and Communications:  

• Prepare, deliver, and support workshops for undergraduate students with the aim of enhancing students’ academic success at the university level  
• Plan and manage outreach events, including Get It Done, our daylong study event 
• Contribute to the design and development of social media and marketing campaigns 
• Write content for SASS’ website and social media feeds  

Peer Academic Coaches: 

• Facilitate and support individual academic skills coaching sessions, including for academically at risk first-year students 
• Support and participate in group academic skill share programming (e.g., ADHD Skill Share, Gap Year Group)  
• Facilitate or support individual or small group academic skills coaching sessions with a focus on international students or students with English as an additional language (EAL) 
• Support SASS-QUIC collaborative programming, including the Write It and Speak Up workshop programs 

International Peer Academic Coaches:  

• Facilitate or support individual or small group academic skills coaching sessions with a focus on international students or students with English as an additional language (EAL) 
• Support SASS-QUIC collaborative programming, including the Write It and Speak Up workshop programs 

Required Qualifications:  

• Be a student in second year or above in any Queen’s program  
• Have an interest in and enthusiasm for helping peers 
• Display a solid understanding of challenges facing first-year students  
• Have knowledge of or experience in presenting, teaching, or working with students  
• Interest in or experience working with students with EAL and/or experience working in a leadership role among peers is considered an asset  
• Peers will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check prior to meeting with students 

Program Contact:  academic.success@queensu.ca 

Student Academic Success Services (SASS) offers academic support to students who wish to develop their skills in critical thinking, reading, learning, studying, writing, and self-management. We welcome Queen’s undergraduate and graduate students at all stages of program completion and all levels of ability.

Number of Positions: TBD

Time Commitment: 2 hours/week

Start Date: September 2026 (some training to take place over the summer)  

Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Attend pre-service and on-going training opportunities; continuously seek to improve skills and knowledge pertaining to the position   
• Work one-on-one with first- and second-year students to:  
  • review assignment expectations 
  • offer advice on improving argumentation, structure, and editing and proofreading skills  
  • improve students’ confidence in writing  
  • write stronger essays, projects, papers and lab reports 
• Advise all students, including international students, English language learners, and neurodivergent students 
• Deliver in-person and virtual 1:1 appointments; support SASS events (occasionally) 

Required Qualifications:  

• Be a student in second year or above in any Queen’s program  
• Have developed writing abilities in any academic subject: we’re just as keen on Engineering as we are on Economics, English, or Environmental Science!  
• Interest in or experience working with students with English as an additional language (EAL) is considered an asset  
• Peers will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Check prior to meeting with students 

Program Contact:  academic.success@queensu.ca  

The English Conversation Program at QUIC supports diverse groups of Queen’s University international students in their communicative competencies by providing opportunities to connect in a safe environment encouraging mutual learning and community building.  

Student volunteers meet international participants at the International Centre as a group (about 20 participants – 10 volunteers) in Mitchell Hall to engage in language and cultural learning through English conversation in an upbeat, small group environment.  

Volunteers are also encouraged to host one session per term, creating a short presentation or activity for students to engage with – bank of resources to be provided.  

Time Commitment:  One term ~ 8 weekly meetings, 1 1/2 hour per session.  Additional hour or so may be required to prep for hosting a session. Some program meetings may run online via Zoom if needed.  

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Support learners in their language skills acquisition 
• Build a respectful, trusting and inclusive rapport with sessions’ attendees 
• Attend program training sessions and program meetings 
• Engage in some planning of activities and/or presentations  
• Engage with the program team, work effectively with peers and supervisor 
• Participate in program feedback and surveys  
• Contribute to promotional materials, such as profiles, testimonials, or short videos 

 Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Support learners in their language skills acquisition 
• Build a respectful, trusting and inclusive rapport with sessions’ attendees 
• Attend program orientation, training sessions and program meetings 
• Engage in some planning of activities, contribute content ideas 
• Engage with the program team, work effectively with peers and supervisor 
• Participate in program feedback and surveys  
• Contribute to promotional materials, such as profiles, testimonials, or short videos 

Required Qualifications: 

• Students currently enrolled at Queen’s University 
• Fluent in English with excellent language proficiency, clear speech, and strong communication skills 
• Able to engage and encourage others while facilitating conversations (strong interpersonal skills)  
• Curious, open-minded and with appreciation of diversity and respect towards cultural differences 
• Passion for intercultural learning and a desire to develop own intercultural competence 
• Wanting to support international students/participants who are experiencing new environment & culture 

Benefits for Volunteers: 

• Develop transferable skills such as proactive inclusive communication, interpersonal communication, active listening, feedback and encouragement 
• Facilitation and presentation skills  
• Gain understanding of language use in relation to specific contexts 
• Enhance own intercultural competency and opportunity to develop international connections  
• Positively contribute to Queen’s community by aiding the international student transition experience 

Program Contact: Maya Aldis – nks6@queensu.ca 

The World Link team is a branch of the Queen’s University International Centre which focuses on social events, orientation weeks and bus trips to build community for international students at Queen’s University. Events are open to all students and foster a sense of intercultural learning, belonging and celebration of international identities.  

World Link volunteers work with program staff to assist in social events and cultural exchange sessions to engage students (esp. new international students) while sharing their own cultures and learning. Our goals are to support international students in their transition to Queen’s and to build community connections to contribute to the university experience and enable cultural learning for any participant. 

Time Commitment: Events run throughout the Summer, Fall and Winter Semesters. About one 2-hour event a week is available for students to volunteer at – required to volunteer at ~2 events/bus trips/activities per term. Additional duties may be required to support events set up and take down, orientation week tours and socials, hosting monthly soup lunches, travelling on a bus, etc. Note you are not required to be available over the summer to be a successful candidate.  

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Contribute to activities/events organized for the program (online or in person) 
• Proactively host and engage event participants 
• Build a respectful, trusting and inclusive rapport with others 
• Attend all program meetings, training sessions; provide program feedback as required 
• Generate social events ideas, engage in event planning and delivery 
• Work proactively in a team to complete project tasks 
• Assist in events promotion in student networks 

Required Qualifications: 

• Students familiar with the University and campus life 
• Excellent communication, teamwork and time management skills; ability to engage others 
• Passion for intercultural learning and a desire to develop own intercultural competence 
• Understands some the challenges faced by international students experiencing a new environment and culture.

Benefits to Volunteers:

• Develop competencies in communication, teamwork, event planning, student engagement 
• Enhance own intercultural competency 
• Opportunity to meet new friends, develop international connections and build networks/community 
• Positively contribute to Queen’s community by aiding the international student transition experience 

Program Contact: Maya Aldis – nks6@queensu.ca 

Volunteers will be trained by International Training Coordinator to function as an informal peer support/referral service situated within the QUIC space. Service is targeted to International, Newcomer, and Second Generation (Graduate and Undergraduate) students at Queen’s.  

Number of Positions: 4-6 

Training Options: Fall intake: late-August/early-September 

The purpose of the Queen's University International Centre’s (QUIC) International Wellness Leaders program is to provide a regularly scheduled, informal peer support and referral service to students who access the QUIC.  Volunteers will be expected to interact with students in an engaging and empathetic manner and utilize active listening skills in order to make referrals to appropriate resources on campus if necessary. 

Expected Time Commitment: 1 hour/week, 6-8 weeks/term 

Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Attend training sessions and meetings. 
• Be available to volunteer at least 60 minutes a week in-person at the QUIC. 
• Proactively engage with students face-to-face at the QUIC in order to compel them to utilize the International Wellness Leader resource. 
• Interact with other students with a non-judgmental attitude. 
• Utilize empathic listening skills as a means to build rapport. 
• Become knowledgeable on various supports and resources available to students on campus.  
• Provide feedback and updates to the program facilitator. 

Required Qualifications:  

• Currently enrolled as a Graduate or Undergraduate student at Queen’s. 
• Comfortable with communicating verbally in English. 
• Strong communication skills, or willingness to develop. 
• Curious, open-minded, with appreciation of diversity. 
• Invested in the wellbeing of their fellow students. 

Benefits to Volunteers:  

• Develop experience and competence with interacting with a diverse range of individuals. 
• Develop communicative competencies, particularly in active listening skills and rapport building. 
• Opportunity to connect with student peers on campus. 
• The International Training Coordinator will act as personal reference upon request. 

Program Contact: QUIC Intercultural Training Coordinator, Lee Richard, at lr77@queensu.ca

Given the positive connection between health and academic achievement, Health Promotion within Student Wellness Services (SWS) at Queen’s University aims to facilitate the adoption and maintenance of health enhancing behaviours among students. Health Promotion is searching for Peer Health Educators (PHE’s) to coordinate, plan, and facilitate a variety of health promotion initiatives and health education campaigns which are implemented online and on campus. The program is comprised of topic teams ranging from: healthy eating and cooking, sexual health, substance use, physical activity (Run Club), rest & relaxation, and mental health. PHE’s also help connect students with appropriate resources and supports on campus. 

Number of Positions: TBD 

Time Commitment: 2-3 hours/week, 1 academic year contract, with possibility of extension 

Start Date: Training in summer, start in-person in September

Responsibilities/Duties: 

• General: 
  • Providing accurate and current health information to students 
  • Assisting in the design and development of health promotion materials 
  • Conveying credible information to students about health resources & supports on campus 
  • Trainings & Meetings: 
  • Complete pre-training online modules before training sessions in September 
  • Attend and actively participate in group training sessions (Two to three days in September and a half-day in January) 
  • Participate in bi-weekly team meetings 
  • Attend additional professional development opportunities as requested 
• Topic Teams: 
  • Participate in regular topic team meetings and events 
  • Help plan, design, and deliver relevant outreach for designated health topic area including developing social media content 
  • Communicate progress on tasks with team members and team leader 
  • Participate in and support collaborations with other topic teams 
• Campus Outreach: 
  • Participate in organized campus-wide outreach and promotional events
  • Campus outreach involves signing up for shifts in advance, as well as picking up last minute shift requests 
  • Peers are required to actively prepare outreach, which could include facilitating workshops and booths (based on incoming requests & availability) 
• Other Tasks: 
  • Create and maintain an inclusive environment for all PHEs 
  • Track all shifts and hours 
  • Complete evaluation forms related to topic team and outreach events 
  • Complete mid-year peer to peer evaluations & on-going skills assessment 
  • Discuss problem/concerns with Team Leaders and Coordinator as they arise 

Required Qualifications: 

• Interest in healthy lifestyle practices 
• Confident in ability to present relevant health information to a group of students 
• Able to approach and speak to students about relevant health issues 
• Comfortable working independently and in groups 
• Willing to work in a collaborative environment 

Program Contact: Riley Walker, rmw3@queensu.ca 

Peer Wellness Coaches help students set goals related to sleeping better, moving more and/or improving their focus and concentration. Volunteers will be responsible for empowering students to achieve their goals by helping them identify barriers and develop strategies to overcome them, so they are better able to maintain motivation.    

Volunteers will be supervised by professional staff within Health Promotion at Student Wellness Services. Students will be provided with training and professional development opportunities to grow their skills and experiences in health behaviour change. 

Time Commitment: 2-5 hours/week during the fall and winter academic terms (excluding exam periods) 

Start Date: training in late summer, starting shifts in September  

Responsibilities/Duties:  

• Meet 1-on-1 with clients on weekly or bi-weekly basis. 
• Schedule and track client appointments. 
• Asist with program outreach and promotion.
• Seek out relevant resources and refer students to support when needed. 
• Other duties as required.   

Required Qualifications:   

• Oral and written communication skills 
• Collaboration skills and ability to work within a team 
• Leadership skills connected to mentoring, coaching and/or advising 
• Professionalism especially around customer service, organization and time management  
• Ability to problem solve and think critically 
• Experience working with groups, departments and/or faculties on campus. 

Program Contact: pwc@queensu.ca

You will be part of a vibrant team of students and staff who desire to support the well-being of their peers and learn specific hands-on skills. You will have opportunities to learn about non-medical detox processes, physiology related to substance use, mental health, harm reduction, and public health practices. This is a unique volunteer position that provides a valuable hands-on learning experience. 

Volunteers refine communication skills, gain experience managing emergencies or challenging situations, and provide client-centered non-judgmental care. Many COR volunteers use this experience to support future career goals in the helping or health care field, including nursing, medicine, rehabilitation therapy, mental health and addictions, but all fields of study and career paths are welcomed and can bring unique skills which contribute to the goals of COR. We welcome all applicants. 

You will be reporting to the Health Promotion Manager at Student Wellness Services and will also receive supervision and direction from the Student Team Leaders and the Addictions Support Care Workers staff team members.  

Time Commitment: All volunteers are expected to commit to 6-8 COR shifts between August-November + March. Shifts are 5 hours in length (9pm–2am or 2am-7am) and volunteers are expected to be willing to work from 2am – 7am at least a few times.  Volunteers are also required to be available for 2 COR shifts during peak party times (i.e., Orientation Week, Homecoming, Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day) and assist with at least 10 hours of outreach between August to March. 

Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Provide a confidential, and non-judgmental environment for intoxicated students
• Demonstrate respect for choices across te full spectrum of substance use health
• Under the direction of a trained professional Addictions Support Worker, assess and monitor intoxicated individuals
• Complete documentation and records as required during COR operations
• Implement infection control practices, including cleaning COR spaces and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Participate in sub-team initiatives and communicate progress on tasks with team leader.  Sub-teams include: logistics, presentations, outreach and communications (i.e., social media, posters and/or blogs)
• Complete additional professional development throughout the year
• Model respectful behavious towards their community
• Check Queen’s email/Slack regularly to respond to scheduling polls on time 

Required Qualifications:

• Current Queen’s student, who plans to return to Queen’s in the fall, in any field of study. 
• Current Emergency First Aid and CPR certification (level “A, B or C”) or a willingness to get certified prior to the start of the next academic year. 
• Able to complete virtual and in-person COR volunteer training. 
• Able to uphold the 3 pillars of COR – confidential, non-judgmental, and voluntary at all times. 
• Able to communicate respectfully with individuals who are intoxicated. 
• Excellent oral communication skills. 
• Possess the ability to maintain client and statistical data and records. 
• Able to work well independently and as part of a collaborative team 
• Able to meet deadlines and uphold commitments. 
• Knowledge of health communication and harm reduction  
• Experience with persons in crisis situations is an asset, but not required.  
• Experience with first aid/emergency response is an asset, but not required.

Program Contact: bewell@queensu.ca

Faith and Spiritual Life provides multi-faith, non-judgmental support for spiritual, religious, and existential questions and conversations. We cultivate welcoming, peaceful communities and spaces, where belonging, inclusion, and spiritual wellness are valued and nurtured. Our office supports religious and non-religious students alike. We are faith-positive, spirituality-positive, and queer-positive. We respect and advocate for both freedom of and freedom from religion. 

Our volunteers work in a variety of capacities to support students by welcoming them in our common room, making them feel at home in our space, leading drop-in events, and cooking with us in our food programs. 

Number of positions: 20

Time Commitment: Role-dependent

Responsibilities/Duties:  

All Peers 

• Greeting people in our common rooms, being a welcoming presence and making people feel at home in our space 
• Be a supportive presence while students wait to see a Chaplain or help book appointments when Chaplains are not available.   
• Track attendance number of students in the common room on certain occasions 

Food Programming 

• Assist with our food programs such as Soup Mondays, Cooking with Grammas, etc. 
• Help cook a variety of soups, salads, and more 
• Track attendance, help set-up and clean-up 

Drop-in events 

• Leading drop-in programs such as Knitting, Lego in the Lobby, Crafternoons, and Soul Jam 
• Prepare and set-up program equipment such as tables, chairs, and materials 
• Making participants feel welcome and leading them through the activity 
• Track attendance numbers of your given event 

Required Qualifications:   

• Possess an interest and enthusiasm for supporting students in the areas of belonging, connection, community, and/or faith and spirituality including the Spiritual dimensions of Mental Health.  
• Ability to be punctual and dependable
• Conduct self in a respectful, non-judgmental, and supportive manner while demonstrating sensitivity in maintaining strict confidentiality 
• Ability to communicate and work with a wide variety of students, staff, alumni, faith communities and members of the public  
• Awareness of and demonstrated commitment to principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion 
• Open and respectful towards Religious Traditions/practices that are not student's own  

Benefits to Volunteers:  

• Develop your skills including Teamwork, Community building, Community engagement, Initiative, Oral communication, Leadership 
• Sense of connection with a compassionate and inclusive community 

Program Contact: burns.erin@queensu.ca