We know that as students at GPRC, you dream big and that you have come to college to get the education you need to achieve your goals. We also know that going to college while balancing life as a student is hard work. That’s why in addition to our mental health resources, we've partnered with RBC to support students with services that help you succeed.
The RBC Centre for Student Wellbeing aligns with RBC’s commitment to mental health by providing resources to help students feel welcome, valued, confident, safe, and heard. Grande Prairie Regional College has long recognized the pressures that psychological and financial demands of the post-secondary environment place on students. Resources such as the Student Ambassador Program and the Elder in Residence Program are actively assisting students with issues that directly relate to their mental health and wellbeing. These resources are readily accessible free of charge on the Grande Prairie campus, and are continuously being evaluated and modified to ensure their continued effectiveness. The RBC Centre for Student Wellbeing will increase the number of student services and enhance existing mental health and wellbeing programs.
The Student Ambassador Program serves to reach out to prospective students, helping the newest members of the GPRC community make a successful transition into life at college, and continues as they work toward their educational, personal and professional goals. Under the umbrella of the RBC Centre for Student Wellbeing, the program will include a “buddy system” where first-year students are paired with second-year students who are responsible for acquainting them with the College and its many services and opportunities, making the new student feel welcome, confident, and safe in this new environment.
The Elder in Residence program provides students with a consistent and approachable Elder who can help address the struggles of being a student and give guidance on how to incorporate the traditional life with the life of being a student. Students benefit from the support and guidance of the Elder in Residence, who has the unique ability to holistically meet the needs of the student, offering support and guidance to the student and his/her family, as well as address spiritual needs through song and ceremony.
The Experience GPRC Program offers rural students with promising ability - but who may be less likely than their city-dwelling peers to pursue post-secondary education - a chance to be introduced to the College, which will be presented as a viable option for their future. Ensuring students who intend to enroll at GPRC have the supports they need to make this significant transition - including application assistance, residence advice, financial aid, and mental wellness resources - will be key to the success of this program.