Academic Support in Residence
Academic in Residence (AiR)
Our AiR - a university Ph.D student who lives in residence - is committed to improving the academic skills of University of Alberta residents. Whether it's receiving guidance for an academic problem or a casual dinner in the cafeteria, you can learn to be more comfortable with the university system. At the same time, it enables faculty to get a good feel for the many pressures and demands that students experience.
Raiany Dias de Andrade Silva lives in Lister Centre; you may find Raiany speaking at your floor meeting or sitting next to you in the cafeteria. You can also set up a meeting with the Academic in Residence to discuss your academics. Whether you're looking for advice about applying for professional programs or tips for successful studying, Raiany will do her best to help. Working out of the Academic Resource Centre in Lister Centre, she can also connect you to other excellent on-campus resources. Feel free to drop in during her office hours!
Additionally, Raiany oversees the Lister Peer Tutor program. The Peer Tutors are upper-year students who excelled in certain classes in their first year who can share tips and tools with you regarding those classes. Be on the lookout for their weekly tutoring times.
To make an appointment, email the Academic in Residence at ListerAIR@ualberta.ca.
Raiany also has office hours each week. These are posted at the Academic Resource Centre.
Irish Scholar in Residence
Barra Ó Scannláin is our 2019-2020 Irish Scholar in Residence. Barra lives in Lister Centre and teaches in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies. You can set up a meeting with Barra to discuss your academics, study tips, or the transition to university. Barra’s office hours are posted at the Academic Resource Centre each semester.
Peer Tutor Program
The Peer Tutor program is a great resource for residents. All tutors are students just like you who have already mastered the content of their courses. They're familiar with the challenges you're facing and are happy to share tips & tools with you, giving you an advantage in your studies!
Weekly peer tutoring sessions each week are posted throughout Lister Centre and at the Academic Resource Centre.
Residence Orientation
During the first six weeks after residents move in, many specialized programming opportunities are offered. These programs allow students to learn about the university experience and develop the skills that they will need to be successful.
| We Focus On: | What this Means for You: |
|---|---|
| Community: Promoting an engaged and supportive living environment | You meet residents with similar interests - and residents who will make sure that you're awake in time for your midterms! |
| Academics: Encourage and strengthen academic skills and goals | Helps you avoid midterm panic by teaching you the academic skills that you need BEFORE it's crunch time. |
| Safety and Wellness: Foster respectful, healthy and safe behaviours | Contributes to clean and comfortable common spaces where you and your friends can cook, study and hang out. |
| Personal Development: Cultivate social communication and leadership skills | You learn the personal skills you'll need to excel as a student...and develop a great resume for after graduation. |
An academic advantage is one of the many reasons to live in residence. There are several programs and services available to set you up for academic success. From our Faculty in Residence to the Lister Peer Tutor Program, there is a resource for any of your academic needs!
Faculty in Residence
The Faculty in Residence (FiR) is a faculty member who teaches at the University of Alberta and lives in East Campus. The FiR interacts regularly with residents, especially those who live in Nîpisîy House, Peter Lougheed Hall, Aspen/Maple House, and Pinecrest/Tamarack House. Our current FiR is Moin Yahya, who teaches in the Faculty of Law and has been our FiR on and off since 2007. Moin works to enhance students’ academic success and personal development by running academic programs and providing students with informal academic counselling.
Are you looking for informal academic counselling in East Campus?
Book a meeting with Moin if you:
- Want to learn more about postgraduate programs like Medicine or Law
- Need studying or time management tips
- Need help making a presentation or writing a term paper
- Need help putting together a CV, resume or cover letter
- Need help with a thesis or research project
You can visit Moin’s office in Nîpisîy House or email him at myahya@ualberta.ca.
Academics in Residence
The Academics in Residence (AiRs) are Master’s and PhD students who study at the University of Alberta and live in Lister Centre. There are currently two AIRs available for academic support.
Raiany Dias de Andrade Silva is a PhD student in the Faculty of ALES. Raiany works to enhance students’ academic success and personal development by working together with the Head Peer Tutors to oversee and promote the Peer Tutor program in Lister, and by providing students with informal academic counselling.
Are you looking for informal academic counselling in Lister?
Book a meeting with Raiany if you:
- Need advice about transitioning into university or living in residence as an international student
- Want to learn more about getting into grad school
- Need help making a presentation or writing a term paper
- Need help putting together a CV, resume or cover letter
Raiany also supervises the Peer Tutors. For informal academic counselling and/or questions about the Peer Tutor Program, stop by Raiany’s office in Lister during her office hours or email her at diasdean@ualberta.ca.
Cole Graham is a Masters student at the U of A studying Geology. Cole worked in the field of residence life for the past 3 years, before returning to his studies in the fall of 2023, and shifting into the AiR role. He works to enhance students' academic success and personal development by providing informal academic counselling and helping run academic programs for residents in First Year communities in residence.
Are you looking for informal academic counselling in Lister or PLH/Linden and Alder?
Book a meeting with Cole if you:
- Need advice about transitioning into university life or living in residence
- Want time management tips
- Want information about doing research during your Undergrad
- Tips or information if you are interested in going to grad school
- Need help with a presentation or term paper, or want tips for presenting or doing group work
- Need help putting together your resume, cover letter, or CV (curriculum vitae)
You can best reach out to Cole with questions or for informal academic counselling by emailing him at crgraham@ualberta.ca or dropping by his office hours!
IRISH SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE
The Irish Scholar in Residence is an instructor at the university who also lives in residence. This year’s Irish Scholar is Helena Ní Rócháin, who will be living in residence and joins us from the Modern Languages department. Aside from teaching classes on campus, Helena will be hosting programs and events to showcase Irish language and culture.
Helena Ní Rócháin comes from the vibrant Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht community in County Kerry, Ireland.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Irish and History from the University of Limerick and later pursued her Master's degree in Modern Irish at University College Dublin.
During her postgraduate studies, her thesis focused on the portrayal of female characters in the works of Irish-language authors. Her academic achievements were recognized when she was awarded the Dara Duais an Dr. TK Whitaker scholarship, which is bestowed upon postgraduate students of Irish who excel in their studies and research. Helena dedicated three years of her career to the Educational Research Centre, where she worked on research related to Irish-language learning in Irish speaking areas of Ireland. She possesses extensive experience in teaching the Irish language at various levels and has worked with organizations such as Tobar Dhuibhne and University College Dublin.
Although Canada presents a completely new adventure for Helena as she has never been here before, she eagerly looks forward to immersing herself in this diverse environment and its rich culture. If you would like to get in touch with Helena, please feel free to contact her via email at nirochai@ualberta.ca.LISTER Peer Tutor PROGRAm
The Peer Tutor Program is a great academic resource for residents. Peer Tutors are upper year students who have already mastered the content of their courses. They're familiar with the challenges you're facing and are happy to share tips and tools with you, giving you an advantage in your studies!
Students in residence can receive free course-specific tutoring from a peer tutor by attending a weekly drop-in tutoring session in Lister Centre. Visit the Peer Tutor Program webpage to see the full program schedule, including which peer tutors are available for each session and which courses they can tutor.
If you attend a drop-in tutoring session, a peer tutor will work with you 1-1 to help you do one or more of the following:
- Assess your understanding of course material and improve comprehension, retention, and/or the application of content
- Assess the effectiveness of your current study skills/habits and develop alternative study strategies if needed
- Reflect on your personal learning style and adapt your study skills/habits to meet your specific needs
Interested in becoming a Peer Tutor?
Volunteering as a Peer Tutor in Residence is a great way to get involved in the residence community and gain valuable mentorship skills. Visit Jobs in Residence for more information about the Peer Tutor position and to apply! We typically recruit Peer Tutors in the Winter Semester to start tutoring the following Fall.
ACADEMIC COHORT FLOORS
One way residents can give themselves an academic advantage in residence is by participating in a faculty-specific community. Faculty-specific communities give students the unique opportunity to connect with other students in their area of study and engage in collaborative learning.
For more information about our Faculty-specific communities, visit Cohorts, Faculty Floors and Lifestyle Communities.
WINter
Besides the various programs mentioned above, Residence also runs events and activities throughout the year to support student success. One major event that occurs every Winter term in Residence is WINter! WINter is a program that focuses on 3 different areas of success: personal, career, and academic success.
Past WINter events have included a Working in Residence Peer Panel, a “What’s Your Learning Style” program, and personal success programs on the themes of belonging and personal values. By participating in WINter events and activities, students can do the following to further their personal growth and develop skills for success:
- Identify their core values and assess how their personal, career, and academic pursuits align with these values
- Generate their own definition of success and develop the competence and confidence to work towards this success
This year, WINter will take place from mid-January to early February 2024. The WINter 2024 schedule will be posted on Expedition:Connect, our Residence Instagram page, and posters in residence.
ACADEMIC ALL-STARS
Academic All-Stars is a Residence-wide program that allows students to be recognized for demonstrating dedication to academic excellence. Through the monthly Academic All-Stars draw, students can receive a prize such as Whyte Ave gift card packages, final exams survival kits, and self-love starter kits.
Residents can enter in the Academic All-Stars draw by submitting their excellent grades of A-, A, A+ or 80% or higher up to 3 times in one month. Additional ways to be entered in the monthly draw include accessing academic resources like the Faculty and Academic in Residence or the Peer Tutor Program, participating in Academic Initiatives programs in residence, and answering the Question of the Month during Bonus Entry Week.
Ready to enter? View the Academic All-Stars self-submission form.
