Position Description: Graduate Student Wellbeing Ambassadors 2021-22 

Graduate school can be an exciting and challenging time. Some students may experience wellbeing challenges, including managing stress, navigating support, finding time for self-care (e.g. sleep, exercise, nutrition) and balancing personal and academic responsibilities. Peer support can be an important tool in helping students thrive academically, socially and emotionally. That s where the UBC Graduate Student Wellbeing Ambassador program comes in!

The Graduate Student Wellbeing Ambassador (GSWA) program brings UBC Vancouver graduate students together to build knowledge and capacity for health and wellness peer support. Through the GSWA program, Graduate Student Wellbeing Ambassadors work with the Health Promotion & Education Unit and university collaborators to support and promote Graduate student health and wellbeing. Key GSWA program goals include:

• Develop the capacity of graduate students to offer peer support to improve graduate student health and wellbeing. o Support graduate students to be aware of and effectively use and share health and wellbeing resources. o Facilitate conversations and knowledge-sharing opportunities related to enhancing graduate student health and wellbeing across campus.
• Build connections across graduate programs to share and develop peer wellbeing support practices.

Responsibilities

x     Communicate the GSWA role to your peers and department

x           Assist peers in need of help to identify, access, or effectively use student health and wellbeing services and resources (e.g. Counselling).  x        Host a health and wellbeing activity or event for graduate student peers  x    Participate in a campus health promotion campaign (e.g. Thrive)

x    Collaborate on GSWA activities with the Graduate Program Officer or Advisor in your department (assistance for making introductions/connections with faculty/staff in student health and wellbeing roles in your department is available if needed.)

x    Share feedback and information about graduate student health and wellbeing related needs with the GSWA program team upon request. 

Training & Professional Development

x     Attend one of the following planned GSWA Orientations:

o Monday, September 13 1-2:30pm PT (Online); or  o Friday, September 17 1-2:30pm PT (In-person on campus)

x    Attend two or more GSWA events (e.g. workshop; lunch-and-learn; working session) as scheduled throughout the year.  x     Optional attendance at GSWA community events and professional development opportunities scheduled throughout the year.

x     Participate in the GSWA training modules on the program’s Canvas site. 

Time Commitment and Length of Term x Length of Term: one year, with the option to continue the role

x    Time Commitment:  2-4 hours per month of work time. This will vary depending on the needs of the department and whether the GSWA participates in optional training or activities.

Benefits

x Gain the confidence and skills to support fellow graduate students who may be experiencing health and wellbeing challenges

x    Increase your mental health literacy x            Engage students in conversations about health and wellbeing and respond to questions x      Learn about and share information about appropriate resources both on and off-campus x             Connect with one another through a supportive network of fellow Ambassadors x     Create a supportive campus environment for fellow graduate students

Members of the Ambassador program will be eligible for designated funding to support graduate student health and wellbeing events and activities. Ambassadors will also have access to a Canvas toolkit with a host of resources to help them in their role, as well as group working sessions with peers, and access to training and learning activities (e.g. workshops facilitated by Health Promotion and Education and collaborating groups). The Health Promotion and Education team is committed to helping you succeed in your role and to ensuring that you feel supported and prepared.

Qualifications

To participate in the program, interested graduate students must be:

x     Registered in a graduate or professional program

x    Available to attend a GSWA Orientation session and to enact the responsibilities of the role as outlined above

x Passionate about health and wellbeing and desire to guide and support others in promoting graduate student wellbeing

x    Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills x       Willingness to learn and connect with others

Applying and participating in the GSWA program with another student(s) in your department is welcomed, as the role may be enhanced through collaborating/sharing responsibilities with a peer.

Application Process

Apply to be a GSWA for the 2021-22 academic year by August 30, 2021, here.

Interested in applying and have a question? Let us know via this form. We look forward to hearing from you!