As he wraps his first year as a Student Library Ambassador (SLA), Albert Carlos is being celebrated as April’s Peer Mentor of the Month.
“Albert is such a welcoming, thoughtful and kind presence at the SLA Help Desk, as well as at pan-campus events,” said Julia Wells, associate librarian and program coordinator.
Wells also notes that Carlos approaches his work, such as social media production, with “professionalism, attention to detail, and joyful creativity.”
“He’s appreciated by the students, but he’s also known for his care and generosity with his fellow Ambassadors,” Wells continued. “He’s also taken the initiative to collaborate with other SLAs on library outreach projects. Albert is not only an excellent Ambassador for the library but also a valued member of our team.”
Finding a place of belonging
A fifth-year psychology major minoring in sociology, Carlos had been using the library regularly, not just as a resource but also as his go-to study space.
“I was always at the library. If I stay at home, I’m less motivated, so I even go there on weekends. One day, I saw the recruitment poster, which sparked my inspiration to apply.”
The Back-to-School BBQ was his first assignment. Carlos said it was fun, but as an introverted first timer, it was overwhelming for his brain and social battery. A month later, at the TRU Open House, he recognized growth in his performance.
“I’ve learned to read the room, which helps me adapt to unique circumstances. There were lots of children there, so I’d adjust my height to meet them at eye level. Flexibility is important.”
Developing interpersonal skills and improving performance
Carlos was a self-described “blank slate” as a new peer mentor, but said, “The best part of being a student library ambassador is that it’s beginner-friendly; my coordinator, Julia, is very approachable and makes it easy to ask questions. She’s always there for me.”
Having found a sense of belonging at the library, Carlos wants others to feel the same.
Carlos also identifies empathy, self-awareness and reciprocity as being critical to successful leadership.
“Sure, I’m an ambassador and can provide assistance and direction, but I very much identify with academic anxieties and the internal battle with perfectionism. I’m also living through the pressures of student life. Being honest and authentic allows for genuine connection.”
In recognizing behind-the-scenes stressors that can reduce the ability to navigate challenges, Carlos has a deep understanding of the complexities someone might be facing.
“Students often come to the help desk feeling overwhelmed. They’ve accidentally left stuff at home, need to get to work, haven’t eaten, and they’re tired and dehydrated. You never know what’s going on in someone’s semester.”
He understands that peer leadership has its practical purposes, but that every interaction requires nuance and care.
“It’s not just about helping someone book a study room, find a resource, access the light switch, and use a printer; it’s about extending kindness, changing perspectives, providing support, and building a bond. Even small actions can have a big impact,” Carlos said.
While he’s empowered to help as an SLA, Carlos wants people to feel they’re interacting with someone happy to provide support, wisdom, and direction, not someone obligated to help.
“Peer leadership has its limitations, which can be disheartening, but when I’d shared any frustrations with Julia, she’d encourage self-reflection and reframe challenges as lessons, she’d affirm that I did what I could within my parameters, and that I could still feel good about that.”
Making on-campus connections
When he needs to recharge, Carlos enjoys moments of solitude and spending time with close friends, many of whom are also peer mentors. “We share our experiences, and we relate and validate each other; it’s a community I’m proud to be a part of.”
To ensure a safe, stable, and productive academic environment at TRU, Carlos believes that accessing the library, engaging with other student supports, and participating in peer mentorship are critical to well-being.
“Unfortunately, a lot of students are using AI for advice; I prefer to ask a human. Subject librarians focus on a specific specialization and provide info on how to search important resources, especially in those reliable resources which AI can’t provide.”
Carlos thinks tools like ChatGPT should only be used to test memory and knowledge, not critical thinking.
“I think the problem with AI, specifically when writing a paper, is that it jumps to the finished product but skips the creative process. When I’m researching, my thinking evolves. There can be such a thrill in research, in making connections, and in pooling resources with others. It only provides short-term satisfaction and defeats the point of studying.”
“Subject librarians may not be as quick as AI, but those interactions are going to benefit your social and emotional intelligence, and make you feel better connected to the world around you.”
Creative collaborations and intersecting roles
Aside from being a student library ambassador, Carlos is also a psychology club officer, engaging in club operations and providing resources, such as free certification programs and volunteer opportunities, that help Psych members with their graduate or job applications.
Dual on-campus roles allow for creative outreach opportunities.
With Wells’ guidance, he championed an SLA-Psych Club crossover, co-facilitating a presentation to promote library resources and research skills tutorials at a club meeting.
He later realized that it was the first time the library provided resources informally within club settings, which genuinely pleased him and his co-SLA’s, Ivy and Divya.
“Moments like this make the journey a much more meaningful learning experience. Being able to lead something and start something like this is a direct result of this peer leadership role.”
The TRU Peer Leader of the Month award recognizes diverse contributions and rewards students who exemplify passion, leadership, resilience, excellence, creativity, and empathy.
