Rooted in the belief that meaningful conversations transform relationships, the Program guides students to initiate and facilitate dialogues with their peers for deeper connection and growth.
Supported by the Dr. Edgar Shih & Family Fund, the Program now offers two learning pathways: Ripples Track and Lumina Track.
From 1-on-1 conversations to navigating group dynamics, students will learn to build supportive relationships with one another through a 4-session workshop series.
Ripples Track is about the power of a meaningful conversation.
This track empowers students with the essential skills for peer support. From learning how to truly listen, empathize without fixing, ask questions that open up conversation and give feedback that helps others grow. Open to students of all years, this track focuses on the micro moments that transform a relationship.
Lumina Track is about building the “Us”, creating communities where students feel they belong.
Offered through Schools and Departments, this track equip nominated student leaders with the tools for team collaboration and communication. From understanding community needs, decoding communication styles, recognizing how pressure shapes us and facilitating connections across diverse needs – you will learn to build the foundations for inclusive cultures starting right where you lead.
My favourite moment is when someone shifts from “Tell me what to do” to “Here’s what I think I can try.”
I’ve learned my job isn’t to be a map; it’s to be a good torch. Sometimes that means asking one sharp question. Sometimes it’s giving one clear next step. Sometimes it’s just sitting there long enough for the worry to calm down.
It is by having these conversations that we can be more vulnerable to others and to ourselves, it also shows the support you have for people and your will in helping them with their worries.
It helped me create new friendships with my fellow hall tutors and getting to know them on a deeper level rather than the usual shallow getting to know stints.
I like using various methods in introducing ourselves – it’s fun and interesting (something that I can apply in my hall as well).
During the Lumina Spark Portrait sharing, we could easily find our similar selves, which broke down our initial barriers and created immediate empathy and laughter. After the sharing, we got a deeper understanding about each other.
The scholarship recognizes undergraduate and postgraduate students for their remarkable efforts in uplifting their peers through mentoring and coaching beyond completing this Program.
Application opens annually in Fall term.