The Role and Importance of the Black Student Peer Mentors at StFX

StFX’s Black Student Advising Peer Mentors are a dynamic group of four Black Students from both African Nova Scotian and International communities. As a division of the Black Student Advising Office, these peer mentors are on the ground with the students, giving information and support wherever it is needed. This includes academic help, assistance with scholarship applications, planning events and community building, providing support for Black students, as well as just being there if a student needs someone to talk to. The mentors hold office hours—both in person and virtual—where any student is free to visit and get the support they need.

I had the opportunity to interview one of the Black Student Advisory Mentors, a fourth-year honours psychology student named Akua Amankwah-Poku, who further shared about her experience in the role.

Amankwah-Poku is an international student from Ghana and mentioned that when she first came to StFX, she knew she wanted to be involved with the school and in the community. In her first year, she joined the BLACC Student society and attended many of their events. Through this, she was able to meet many other students and play a role in the community. In the summer of 2023, a posting was put out for the role of the Black Student Mentor, and Amankwah-Poku said this “gave [her] the opportunity to be involved in the school and do something for students.”

She voiced the impact of the student mentors, speaking on the importance of “knowing the service is available.” The role is new to StFX’s community, and Amankwah-Poku mentioned that in her earlier years at the school, she felt that she did not always get the support that she needed. With the existence of the Black Student Advisory Mentors, StFX is taking a step to establish more supports for Black students. Amankwah-Poku further spoke on the importance of knowing that this resource is in place, and how being able to be a part of it and help the students who will come after her is very impactful. The Black Student Advisory Office and Black Peer Mentors are always looking for ways to “improve and make it better for the next generation of Black students.”

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, the Black Student Advising Office planned a calendar of events to celebrate African Heritage. Amankwah-Poku spoke on the events and said that her favourite was the Black Cabaret at The Bauer Theatre. The event took place on February 4th and featured performances ranging from live music to spoken work and poetry. The aim was to provide a safe space for students to engage in self-expression and to see what Black StFX students and community members have to offer. Amankwah-Poku had the chance to share some of her poetry and express herself through her work and mentioned that the experience was very “empowering,” both for herself and for others. She said that hearing poems from others and seeing their perspective was “impactful and powerful,” and that the experience was a “very cool and vulnerable moment.”

To close off the interview, Amankwah-Poku stated she would love to host more information sessions, including some about the research grants, bursaries, and the different opportunities that are available to Black students. Bringing more awareness and letting Black students know about these opportunities is something she feels is very important. Amankwah-Poku is passionate about her role as a Black Student Peer Mentor as well as the opportunity to build and support the community for both current and incoming Black students. She and the other Black Student Peer Mentors are always available to help any students in need.