Supporting Graduate Student Supervision: Conflict Resolution, Interpersonal Skill Development, and a Culture of Teamwork

Please provide a one-paragraph overview of the session.‎ (200 words or less): In this session the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) at the University of Toronto (UofT) will provide an overview of the Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision (CGMS). We will discuss the history and rationale for the establishment of the Centre, what services are currently offered, who is reaching out to the CGMS and why, and where we fit within the broader ecosystem of Student Services at SGS and the University. We will discuss how we work with other offices within and outside of SGS to promote a culture of teamwork, consultation, and collaboration, that ensures the graduate community at the University of Toronto receives a thoughtful, comprehensive, and effective approach to navigating challenging situations. Anonymized cases will be reviewed to provide examples demonstrating how the CGMS and Student Services (including enrollment and admissions offices) coordinate student concerns to ensure staff, students, and their academic units receive thorough, timely, and organized support.

Session Agenda/Outline (200 words or less): Introduction to the UofT, the SGS, and the CGMS

The history of CGMS, including rationale for why the CGMS was established (referencing the needs of the graduate community at the UofT, as well as broader research regarding graduate supervision)

Services offered by the CGMS, including guiding philosophies

A brief review of data regarding who is accessing the CGMS (students, faculty, staff, divisions/departments) and why the CGMS is typically being accessed

Where the CGMS fits within the SGS (highlighting where the CGMS fits in terms of enrollment and admissions offices)

How we coordinate and organize complex student cases that require consultation, collaboration, effective communication, and teamwork

Anonymized case examples to demonstrate how we coordinate with various offices to effectively address student concerns

Recommendations for establishing a similar center, including key success factors, organizational considerations, and strategies for securing institutional support