Student Leadership Strengthened through Peer Mentorship Training at IGU

The “Peer Mentorship and Student Leadership Program”, organized by Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) the Office of Dean of Students on March 31 and April 1, 2026 for different student groups, brought together undergraduate mentor candidates. Held at the IGU Student Center, the training examined in detail the duties and responsibilities of mentors who will guide students new to the university.

Peer Psychology and Boundaries Addressed at IGU

In the first part of the training, which comprised several sessions, Asst. Prof. Nurhan Naz, Clinical Psychologist in the Psychology Department of the Faculty of Economics, Administrative and Social Sciences (FEASS), shared important insights with mentor candidates in a presentation titled “Peer Psychology and Boundaries”. Describing the transition to university as a “cultural shift,” Dr. Naz drew attention to the role of mentors in creating a safe social space for students. Emphasizing that mentorship is not a therapeutic process, she also stressed the importance of referring students to the Psychological Counseling Unit when necessary.

Effective Communication and Empathy Emphasized at IGU

In a presentation titled “Communication, Empathy, and Growing Together”, delivered by Asst. Prof. Özlem Tuğçe Keleş from the Radio, Television, and Cinema Department of FEASS, the importance of effective communication and peer-to-peer interaction in the mentorship process was addressed. The training covered core communication skills including non-judgmental language, open-ended questioning, and accurate reflection of emotions.

Hands-On Experience through Role Modeling at IGU

In the applied session led by Res. Asst. Mert Kuşluvan from the Psychology Department of FEASS, mentor candidates gained practical experience through a "role modeling" approach. The session examined how mentors should engage with students, how to develop exemplary behaviors, and the responsibilities of being a role model through hands-on practice.

Mentorship Training to Be Expanded at IGU

The mentor training program, repeated over two days for different groups, concluded with an emphasis on preparing mentor candidates for their role and strengthening their sense of belonging to university culture. IGU Student Deans’ Office, Vice Dean Asst. Prof. Enes Kalyoncu noted that mentorship training would continue across different faculties, stating that the program is planned to be rolled out university-wide.