Academic Preparation and PEISSA Programs

UCalgary Continuing Education Volunteers

Academic Preparation Program, Continuing Education, University of Calgary

Academic Preparation provides high school upgrading courses to students looking to reach competitive averages for acceptance into University of Calgary faculties. We offer English 30, Social 30, Indigenous Studies 30, Math 10, Math 31, and Math 30-2. We also offer Biology, Physics, and Chemistry at the 10 and 20 levels. Students self-select into the appropriate level, thereby removing the barrier of requiring students to complete pre-requisites. Students come from a variety of backgrounds. Student demographics range from 19 and up. English Language Learners, adult students with children, those transitioning into different careers, and those aging out of high school make up our student population. Many students are in the process of identifying learning disabilities and are navigating accommodations for the first time. Students come from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds, with enrolment from Indigenous students increasing.

The PEISSA program supports Indigenous students in completing the prerequisites needed for admission into their chosen program at the University of Calgary. The program covers tuition and textbooks, and students receive one-on-one academic guidance to ensure they're on the right path. Participants come from diverse backgrounds, rural and urban, with varying levels of prior education, and the program provides tailored support to help each student succeed.

Academic Preparation Program

What's Involved?

Tutoring of High School Level Academic Upgrading courses (see here Academic Preparation - Undergraduate | University of Calgary Continuing Education)
Peer mentoring in navigating academics and institutions for adult students, many often facing barriers to entering post-secondary (financial, learning strategies, foundational knowledge, family/community support, etc)
Accessibility peer navigating
- Supporting students with disabilities in how to self-advocate and access university supports
Peer navigators to support students in understanding how to access university programs and needed pre-requisites
Practice facilitating online courses
Co-developing and facilitating lab experience days for science courses, so online students can visit main campus and have an exploratory learning opportunity

Who?

Werklund students who have completed at least one or more Education courses.

What?

Support adult learners in foundational courses through small group tutoring, one-on-one assistance, and academic mentoring.

Where?

Online (Zoom)
Offices are located at:
- University of Calgary Downtown Campus
  906 8 Ave SW, Calgary AB, Canada T2P 1H9

When?

Evenings and Weekends
- APP Courses run during evenings and weekends to support adult students upgrading to meet university program pre-requisite
Flexible scheduling dependent on the mentor and mentee availability

Volunteer Requirements & Information

Requirements

Completed at least one EDUC course (e.g., EDUC 400 or EDUC 500)
Strong communication skills and a willingness to work with adult learners from diverse backgrounds
Comfort with foundational academic material (high school level)
Availability to commit for the entirety of APP course
Subject-matter knowledge in courses student is wishing to support
Lived experience with disability and/or neurodivergence if wishing to support students with disability

Training

Provided by ContEd staff:
- Emily Larocque - Program Specialist - (Collaborative Programs) /Acting Academic Preparation Programs Manager
- Brooklyn Rand: Program Specialist - Indigenous Programs

Time Commitment

Peer mentoring, tutoring, peer navigating:

1-3 hours per week, 10-12 weeks depending on the course
30-40 hours per semester

Lab Development and Facilitation:

8-10 hours per term
5-6 hours prep and development. 2-3 hours delivery

Pre-pathways to Education for Indigenous Students (PEISSA) Program

What's Involved?

Cultural mentoring for Indigenous students: navigating university and larger institutions as someone that sees through two lenses.
Support students in advocating for themselves, navigating access to University programs, scheduling meetings with Indigenous Recruitment,
Motivating students to pursue higher education
Tutoring of High School Level Academic Upgrading courses (see here Academic Preparation - Undergraduate | University of Calgary Continuing Education)

Who?

Indigenous Werklund students
Been in university for at least 2 years

What?

Support Indigenous adult learners through navigating University by providing peer support and mentorship.

Volunteer opportunities could include...

Mentoring
Academic tutoring
Peer and cultural supports
Support navigating post-secondary institutions
Student Study Skills and Learning Strategies
Participating in Indigenous Studies 30 as a teaching assistant, facilitator, or a peer.

Where?

Online (Zoom)
Offices are located at:
- University of Calgary Downtown Campus
  906 8 Ave SW, Calgary AB, Canada T2P 1H9

When?

Evenings and weekends
Flexible scheduling dependent on the mentor and mentee availability

Volunteer Requirements & Information

Requirements

Indigenous person
Completed at least one EDUC course (e.g., EDUC 400 or EDUC 500)
Strong communication skills and a willingness to work with Indigenous adult learners from diverse backgrounds
Comfort in supporting cultural navigation
Availability to commit for an academic semester (12 weeks).

Training

Provided by ContEd staff:

Brooklyn Rand: Program Specialist - Indigenous Programs
Emily Larocque - Program Specialist - (Collaborative Programs) /Acting Academic Preparation Programs Manager

Time Commitment

Peer mentoring, tutoring, peer navigating:
- 1-3 hours per week, 10-12 weeks depending on the course
- 30-40 hours per semester
Lab Development and Facilitation:
- 8-10 hours per term
- 5-6 hours prep and development. 2-3 hours delivery

Apply a variety of facilitation strategies to encourage discussion, generate ideas, and build consensus
Apply a variety of leadership strategies to develop meaningful relationships with the program and its participants
Apply a variety of mentorship strategies to support mentees’ personal, social, and academic goals
Examine a variety of approaches to teaching and learning in non-traditional educational settings
Examine how programming fosters inclusion and personal growth
Examine how teaching and learning take place in other contexts
Lead or co-lead the component of at least one project within the program

Fall Semester Timeline

Fall 2025 Applications Open: August 28, 2025
Werklund Information Sessions: September 16, 5:00pm (Zoom)
Fall 2025 Applications Close: October 1, 2025 for smaller programs, larger placement applications are ongoing.
Fall 2025 Placements Start: early October (program dependent)
Fall 2025 Placements End: mid-December (program dependent)

Winter Semester Timeline

Winter 2026 Applications Open: November 14, 2025
Winter 2026 Information Session: November 18, 5:00 pm (Zoom)
Winter 2026 Applications Close: Ongoing, program-dependent
Winter 2026 Placements Start: early January (program dependent)
Winter 2026 Placements End: mid-March (program dependent)

Experiential Learning Check-In & Reflection Opportunities

All participants in Experiential Learning programs are welcome and encouraged to attend at least two of the check-in & reflection sessions below as part of their program. Reflection is an incredibly important part of experiential learning. It encourages students to consider their experience so far and to adjusted as needed as they go forward through the rest of their program, or into the next step of their career.

Check-In & Reflection Sessions

We've started to all registration for the check-in & reflection sessions on Elevate!

Check out and register for available sessions on here!

Other Werklund Experiential Learning Events

We have lots of other events and opportunities happening in Werklund Experiential Learning. You can see more information and register through the link below!

Check out what else is going on here!