First Year Seminars & University Learning Communities

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First Year Seminars & University Learning Communities

Peer Mentor Application Instructions

Fall 2016 First Year Experience Program

Thank you for your interest in applying for the Peer Mentor position for the Fall 2016 semester! Please carefully review the information listed below regarding the recruitment and selection of the Fall 2016 Peer Mentor staff.

Step 1) Review Application Documents and Materials

·  Please read the full set of instructions, job description, and application thoroughly

Step 2) Attend Peer Mentor Information Sessions

·  While information sessions are not mandatory, it is highly recommended you attend

·  Dates, times, locations can be found at our website:

o  http://csus.edu/acad/advising-programs/Peer%20Mentors%20First%20Year%20Experience.html

Step 3) Complete the Peer Mentor Application

·  It is recommended that you download this document to your computer, instead of completing it online, and save the document frequently, just in case you experience technical difficulties

·  Don’t forget to sign the application

·  All applications must be typed!

Step 4) Create or Update Your Resume

·  Your resume must include at least three references

·  The Career Center (Lassen Hall 1013) can assist you with this process: www.csus.edu/careercenter

Step 5) Submit Application to the Academic Advising Center (Lassen Hall 1013).

·  Please do not turn in pages 1-3 of this packet when you submit your application documents

·  The following documents must be turned in together and in this order:

1.  Peer Mentor Application (Completed & Signed)

2.  Resume

Step 6) Schedule a Group Interview

·  When you turn in your application documents, you will schedule a group interview appointment.

·  It is important that you record the exact time, date, and location of your group interview.

·  You will not receive a reminder or a chance to reschedule if you do not show up to your group interview

Step 7) Schedule an Individual Interview (If Applicable)

·  After your group interview, you will be notified if you are invited to schedule an individual interview

·  This notification will arrive by email within a few business days after your group interview

·  At this stage, you will receive additional information about the remainder of the selection process

If you have any questions, please reach out to either of the following people:

Jazmin Campos, Peer Mentor Student Coordinator

Email: or Phone: 916.278.2596

Jason Sumi, First Year Experience Coordinator

Email: or Phone: 916.278.2596

First Year Seminars & University Learning Communities

Peer Mentor Job Description

Fall 2016 First Year Experience Program

Peer Mentors assist first year students by serving as an academic peer advisor, a resource to the campus and community, and a mentor to assist with transition to Sacramento State. Peer Mentors collaborate with their assigned department faculty to enhance the classroom experience for first year students.

Peer Mentors are assigned ONE cohort of approximately 25 students. The First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator in the Academic Advising & Career Center supervises all Peer Mentors. The Peer Mentor Program is part of the campus-wide First Year Experience Program that serves more than 1,300 students.

Conditions of Employment:

·  10 hours per week

·  Fall start date: 8/15/16 (Monday) - End date: 12/16/16 (Friday)

·  Rate of pay: $11 per hour

Minimum Qualifications:

·  Good academic standing

·  Sac State and cumulative GPA of at least 3.0

·  Positive attitude

Preferred Qualifications:

·  Ability to effectively multi-task and manage a challenging workload.

·  Sensitivity to issues of diversity.

·  Strong interpersonal and group facilitation skills.

·  Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with diverse student, staff, and faculty populations.

·  Ability to facilitate classroom discussions and deliver in-class presentations related to academic and student success.

·  Ability to demonstrate understanding, flexibility, and resourcefulness when dealing with complex and sensitive issues.

·  Earned Leadership Initiative certificates.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Classroom Activities and Community Building (~22%)

·  Attend one First Year Seminar (FYS) or Learning Community class each week (1-1.5 hours).

·  Create email/phone contact list for students.

·  Plan and lead classroom discussions and activities surrounding the FYS Reader and/or the One Book.

·  Assist in the coordination of guest speakers from on-campus student services departments.

·  Coordinate and organize productive study groups for learning community courses as needed.

·  Assist with a co-curricular activity selected by faculty, including, but not limited to: the One Book, Writing Partners, Leadership Initiative, One World, and Peak Adventures Challenge Course.

·  Conduct time management, study skills, general education, registration, and other workshops/presentations as requested by faculty or needed by the students.

·  Lead icebreakers and team building activities.

·  Deliver announcements regarding campus events and activities, study groups, and mandatory student meetings.

·  Promote and facilitate delivery of end of semester First Year Experience surveys.

·  Motivate and encourage assigned students to attend FYE and campus-hosted events.

·  Other duties as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities (continued):

Academic/Peer Advising & Student Service (~63%)

·  Meet with each of your assigned students for an introductory meeting by set date.

·  Meet with each of your assigned students for an academic advising session by set date.

·  Encourage positive academic behaviors and serve as a positive role model for assigned students.

·  Identify student needs and provide assistance using appropriate resources and referrals.

·  Host office hours and study groups for students on a weekly basis.

·  Attend campus-hosted events and record FYE student attendance.

Administrative Responsibilities, Team/Training Meetings, and Other Duties (~15%)

·  Attend bi-weekly Team/Training Meetings.

·  Attend specified mandatory Peer Mentor Events & Training Sessions (listed below).

·  Complete one advising observation and two evaluation meetings with First Year Experience Coordinator.

·  Accurately record and report hours worked, submit timesheets by due dates provided.

Mandatory Peer Mentor Events & Training Sessions

All Peer Mentors must attend the following events and training sessions:

·  Fall 2016 Peer Mentor Meet & Greet (Location: TBD)

o  Date: Friday, May 6

o  Time: 2pm-4pm

·  August Training Sessions (Location: TBD)

o  Date: Monday, August 15 – Friday, August 19, and Monday, August 22 – Thursday, August 25

o  Time: 8am-4pm each day

·  Bi-weekly Staff Meetings (Location: Academic Advising Center, Lassen 1013)

o  Date: Every other Friday during the Fall 2016 semester

o  Time: 9-11am OR 1-3pm

·  Mid Semester Training (Location: TBD)

o  Date: Saturday, October 15

o  Time: 9am-3pm

Estimated Semester Allocation of Peer Mentor hours:

Classroom Activities & Community Building (~22%)

·  22.5 hours – attending class & leading class discussions and activities

·  7.5 hours – preparing for class presentations and activities

Academic/Peer Advising & Student Service (~63%)

·  17 hours – introductory and student service appointments

·  25 hours – academic advising appointments

·  30 hours – host office hours and study jams

·  5 hours – campus engagement and event attendance with students

·  20 hours – additional student service or appointments

Administrative, Team/Training Meetings, and Other Duties (~15%)

·  15 hours – bi-weekly team meetings & meetings with coordinator

·  5 hours – academic advising training/shadowing

·  3 hours – administrative & other duties as assigned

First Year Seminars & University Learning Communities

Peer Mentor Application

Fall 2016 First Year Experience Program

NAME / STUDENT ID / MAJOR/PROGRAM
STREET ADDRESS / CITY, STATE, AND ZIP CODE
SACLINK E-MAIL ADDRESS / CONTACT PHONE / CUMULATIVE GPA
CLASS LEVEL AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION – MARK ONE / SAC STATE GPA
___FIRST-YEAR (<30 UNITS) ___SOPHOMORE(30-59 UNITS) ____JUNIOR (60-89 UNITS)
___SENIOR (90+ UNITS) ___GRADUATE STUDENT

Please answer the following questions in the space provided

Please describe your reasons for applying to this position as well as your qualifications.
In your own words, what is a Peer Mentor and what do they do?
Please list any special skills you possess that are relevant to this position
Please list any honors, awards, clubs, extra-curricular activities or offices held.
In your own words, describe at least three important resources that help first year students achieve a successful transition into college and explain how. You may include both on-campus and off-campus resources, but you may not include the First Year Experience program or Peer Mentors.
1)
2)
3)
Did you enroll/participate in a First Year Learning Community or Freshman/First Year Seminar as a first year student? If yes, please complete the following:
Semester/Year: ______FYS Course(example: HRS 21): ______
Professor: ______Peer Mentor: ______
Please list any possible commitments and time conflicts for Fall 2016 (example: other on-campus job schedule, club or leadership activities meeting times, etc.). Please note, Peer Mentors are not allowed to work other on-campus jobs unless approved by their supervisor.
How did you hear about the Peer Mentor position? (Mark all that apply)
___ Flyer ___ My Peer Mentor ___ Friend ___ In-Class Announcement
___ Email ___ Social Media ___ Professor ___ Other: ______
Please mark any Leadership Initiative certificates you have earned:
___ Green ___ Gold ___ Hornet Pride ___ Leadership Initiative

I hereby confirm the accuracy of the information listed above and allow the Academic Advising Center to verify academic requirements (GPA, academic & class standing):

Student Signature ______Date ______

Application Deadline: Friday, March 4, 2016 BEFORE Noon to Academic Advising Center, Lassen 1013 Page | 1