Each year, GII mentors lead and guide student teams on their journey towards tackling a global challenge.
Mentors apply critical theories and practices they learn in class and gain important skills and expertise through the program. Before each mentor-mentee session, mentors attend training sessions. These training sessions are intended to support mentors and help them develop valuable leadership skills such as providing constructive feedback, problem-solving, and project planning. Additionally, mentors also attend expert sessions that help them gain an in-depth understanding of a key and current global issue.
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled in a graduate or an undergraduate (3rd or 4th year) program in any department at the University of Toronto.
- Must be able to commit to 3-4 hours every month to mentor students
- Must be open to doing a background check
Benefits of being a mentor:
- Add valuable experience to your co-curricular records and your CV to show potential employers and schools skills that make you stand-out
- Attend expert sessions to gain a nuanced understanding of global issues
- Add to your skillset through training and skill-building sessions
- Network and learn from staff, faculty, and peers at the University
** Mentor enrollments take place in September each year and mentors are expected to lead student teams until the Final Symposium that is held in April each year
Hear from past mentors
“My fondest memory was witnessing my mentees take an idea and run with it. Their curiosity to learn and their desire to advance the common good through equitable solutions were truly inspiring. My fondest memory was witnessing my mentees take an idea and run with it. Their curiosity to learn and their desire to advance the common good through equitable solutions were truly inspiring.” - Giancarlo Da-Ré
“I could see my younger self in my team of young women who believed they too could make a difference. Being their soundboard and contributing my own knowledge as they developed innovative and culturally aligned solutions to advancing health equity was a proud moment.” - Hilda-Matilda O. Idegwu
“As a mentor, I got to discover many new tools, such as the impact gap canvas, the lean business model canvas, and the value proposition canvas, that helped me structure my thinking. It is very rewarding to know that I supported them (the students) through the process, even though the merit is all theirs.” - Nathan Gueidon