Build connections. Share experiences. Strengthen your community.
Program overview
The BIPOC Mentorship Network, formerly the BIPOC Gradute Student Mentoring Academy, is a reimagined initiative co-developed and led by Dalhousie's Student Leadership (SLA) Academy and Dal GradPD program. It is designed to support the personal, academic and professional development of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) graduate students at Dalhousie.
The BIPOC Mentorship Network emphasizes community‑based learning, skill‑building and access to mentors. The initiative is open to current Dalhousie graduate and professional program students, as well as alumni, staff and faculty, and community partners who wish to participate as potential student-found mentors or contributors.
What the program offers:
- 6-8 interactive workshops per academic year on navigating graduate education, career development, cultural identity, belonging and mentorship.
- An opportunity to gain mentorship and expand your professional network through engagement with faculty, staff, alumni and community professionals.
- A chance to connect with fellow graduate students across disciplines and foster a sense of belonging within a supportive community.
- A flexible environment that allows you to choose your own timeline and path within the program.
The Network creates opportunities to learn alongside other BIPOC graduate students while exploring topics that support your success during graduate school and throughout your future career. Whether you are looking to expand your professional network, learn from the experiences of others, develop leadership skills or connect with a supportive community, the BIPOC Mentorship Network provides opportunities to grow alongside peers.
Timelines
Please note that new cohort members are accepted on a rolling basis, but it is recommended to join at the start of the academic year to be able to attend as many workshops as possible. You only need to sign up for the program once to remain in it year-to-year, and are encouraged to stay on post-graduation in a mentor capacity.
- Program orientation: Mid- October
- Program period: October to May
Workshops
Building your mentorship network: Finding, Choosing, and Sustaining Mentors
A practical workshop focused on identifying different types of mentors (academic, career, peer, community), initiating mentoring relationships, setting expectations, and navigating mismatches. This workshop will feature a moderated networking session at the beginning that will allow students, staff, and faculty to gather together based on the mentorship criteria that the BIPOC Mentoring Academy used in the past.
Date: Wednesday, November 18th
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Holiday Social
Tis the season to gather for cheer--take a break from the hustle and join us for another networking experience over hot chocolate and treats.
Date: Wednesday, December 9th
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Navigating Academic Culture and the Hidden Curriculum in Canadian Higher Education
Understanding academic culture is an important part of navigating university life. This interactive session invites BIPOC students to explore academic expectations in Canadian higher education, with a focus on student-centred learning approaches and the unwritten rules, or "hidden curriculum," that shape students' experiences. Participants will reflect on how their previous educational, cultural, and lived experiences can serve as strengths in their academic journeys. The session will also explore ways to develop intercultural competence, navigate different academic and cultural expectations, and build confidence and a sense of belonging while maintaining their identities.
Date: Tenatively the week of January 25th to 29th
Time: TBD
Eligibility
This program is designed to support BIPOC graduate and professional program students during their time at Dalhousie. BIPOC faculty and staff, alumni and community partners are invited to join in a mentor capacity.
