Leading Through Mentorship as a Health Peer Mentor and a Student Experience Ambassador

Vi, first from the left in the second row, with the Student Experience Ambassadors Team

If there is one trait I believe defines a true leader, it is the ability to mentor. As a Health Peer Mentor, to me, mentorship is not about giving all the answers. It’s about helping someone ask better questions. It’s about walking beside them as they figure out their own path, and celebrating every small win along the way. A good mentor does not lead from the front or from above, but from beside. Over the last two years, I have mentored more than 50 students, guiding them through everything from fitting in socially and meeting academic expectations to finding the best food on campus or navigating homesickness. 

As a mentor, I prioritise building trust and tailoring support to each student’s unique needs. For new international students, this meant walking them through their first weeks so they felt confident navigating campus. For others, it involved breaking down and connecting them with Deakin support services and the student community. I made it a point to connect students to social events, clubs, and volunteering opportunities so they could form friendships and networks. This personalised approach helped mentees overcome homesickness, improve academic performance, and develop leadership skills. Several have since become DUSA representatives, club executives, and peer mentors themselves, expanding the culture of support we built together.

Vi is the person sitting in the middle

Vi is the second person on the left

Vi is the person standing in the middle

Vi and other Peer Mentors from different Faculties

Being a mentor is a quiet role, but the ripple effect is deep. Through this experience, I have learned that some of the most powerful leadership happens not on a stage, but in one-on-one moments. In honesty. In vulnerability. In being the person someone knows they can turn to. As a mentor, my impact has been personal. But it is also part of something bigger; a network of support that makes university feel less daunting and more human. I am deeply proud to have been a part of that.

As an ambassador, I have actively engaged in diverse roles, from guiding campus tours and running Orientation activities, to helping students access essential services. I’ve learned how to engage confidently with diverse groups and create a positive first impression of Deakin. This role has also allowed me to deliver initiatives that reflect the needs of our community, giving me the chance to shape experiences that matter. Along the way, I’ve gained new skills, from event planning to public speaking, and have embraced every professional development opportunity offered. Being a Student Experience Ambassador has strengthened my leadership by showing me that impact isn’t just about big moments, it’s built through consistent care, genuine connections, and creating spaces where everyone feels they belong.

Health Mentor Commendation Letters