The ASCEND Learning Community

The Goal of the Learning Community

To enhance the learning experience for students and for faculty. They offer these core features:​

  • A sense of membership​

  • A sense of personal influence ​

  • Fulfillment of individual needs​

  • Shared events and emotional connections​

Learning Community Members

Career Advisors, Wellness Advisors, Peer Advisor and Clinical Competency Mentors all serve a different purpose with a common goal to help you reach your full potential while at ISMMS.

How are Learning Communities Created?

Advisor Groups and Learning Communities

When students begin their journey at ISMMS they are assigned to an Advisor Group.

Advisor Groups include:

  • 1 Career Advisor- a physician in any specialty

  • 1 Wellness Advisor- a Clinical Social Worker

  • 1 Peer Advisor- a Scholarly Year or 4th Year Medical Student

  • 12-15 medical students per cohort (M1-M4)


Two Advisor Groups are combined with three Clinical Competency Mentors to create a Learning Community. Each Clinical Competency Mentor has 8-9 medical students per cohort from the two Advisor Groups to form their CCM group.

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