Peer Support Program

Peer Support Program

Mentor Application Packet

2014-2015

Packet Includes:

• Program & Position Description

• Recruitment / Selection Timeline

• Application Checklist

• Peer Mentor Application Form

• Recommendation Forms (2)

Peer Support Program

Program Overview & Position Description

Program overview

Mission: The Mission of the Peer Support Program is to increase the success and retention rates of first-year Columbia College Chicago students. This program connects first-year minority and other underrepresented students with upper-class peer mentors. Peer mentors coordinate opportunities for students to become acclimated to the campus and Chicago area, as well as to develop their personal, academic, social and cultural experiences through programming and guidance.

Mentor Responsibilities and Expectations

•Attend the Mandatory Peer Mentor Training (Monday, August 25, 2014 from 9:30am – 4:00pm)
•Provide peer advising and tutoring by maintaining weekly contact with their mentees through
personal meetings and events, phone, e-mail, office hours, etc.
•Hold weekly office hours (2 hours per week)
•Maintain a minimum of a 2.8 cumulative GPA
•Meet regularly with your PSP Coordinator / Staff Mentor
•Submit contact logs based on mentor / mentee interactions
•Attend bi-weekly Peer Mentor staff meetings
•Attend all required Peer Support Program events as outlined in the commitment forms(orientations,
Tips on Tuesdays, workshops, etc.)
•Be available during the fall and spring semesters on Monday @ 4:00 p.m., Tuesday@ 12 noon, or Friday’s 12:30 p.m. for Tips on Shuffle (Bi-weekly)

Qualifications

•Must be a full-time, upper-level undergraduate (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior level)
or graduate student for the 2014-2015 academic year
•Must be in good academic and judicial standing with Columbia College Chicago
•Must have a minimum of a 2.8 cumulative GPA
•Must be available to devote a minimum of 5 hours per week to the Peer Support Program
•Should have a good understanding of the mission and work of the Office of Multicultural Affairs
•Should be familiar with campus resources, offices, and departments
•Should possess exceptional leadership and interpersonal communication skills
•Should possess a deep appreciation for the diversity of our student body and a commitment to the
support and retention of Columbia’s first-year students.

Compensation

Mentors will receive $750 per semester. Further details on compensation will be shared at individual interviews.

Columbia College Chicago is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Peer Support Program

Mentor Recruitment / Selection Timeline 2014-2015

April 15 (Tuesday) Mentor Applications Available:

· Office of Multicultural Affairs (618 S. Michigan, 4th Floor)

April 30 (Wednesday) Applications due to Dr. Kimberly L. Weatherly, Director of Multicultural

Affairs

· Deadline: 4:00 PM, Office of Multicultural Affairs
(618 S. Michigan, 4th Floor)

· When you turn in your application,
be prepared to sign up for an interview time!

May 5 - 7 (Mon.-Wed.) Individual Mentor Interviews

· Times vary – must sign up when you turn in your application

May 9 (Friday) Selected individuals are notified and asked to sign acceptance forms

August 25 (Monday) 2014 -15 Mentor Welcome & Training Mandatory

· 9:30 – 4:30 p.m. at 618 S. Michigan, 4th Floor

· In order to be eligible, applicants must be available to attend this training session

Peer Mentor Application Checklist

Only complete applications will be accepted

Completed application

TWO Completed recommendation forms in signed, sealed envelopes

A copy of your unofficial transcript attached

A copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) attached

Personal essay

* Don’t forget to sign up for your interview when you submit your application!

Peer Support Program

2014-2015 Mentor Application

Application Status: 1st Time Applicant Re-Applying Peer Mentor

Background Information

Last Name: First Name: Middle Initial:

OASIS ID: Do you currently qualify for federal work study? No Yes

Do you currently work at CCC? No Yes (If yes, list your work ID: )

Email: Phone:

Major(s) / Minor(s):

Current / School Address:

Permanent Address:

Class Year: Current GPA:

Current # Credit Hours: Cumulative # Credit Hours:

· Please attach an unofficial copy of your transcript (not your class schedule)

· Please attached a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR)
(you can print this out after completing your FAFSA)

Are you the first in your family to attend college? (Optional):

Employment History

Please list all previous employers with dates of employment and your title.
You may use a separate sheet if necessary, or may submit a resume.

Employer / Title / Responsibilities / Employment Dates

(Continued on the back)

Co-Curricular History

Please list your active organizational involvement and experiences while enrolled at college.
This includes student organizations, community service, academic honors / scholarships, etc.
You may attach a separate sheet if necessary, or may submit a resume with this information.

Organization / Scholarship / Positions / Activities / Dates (From ---to ---)

Personal Essay

Please type your responses to the following questions on a separate piece of paper. Note that there are two different essays depending on your application status.

1st Time Applicants

1. Why do you want to be a mentor in the Peer Support Program?

2. From your perspective, what is the role of a mentor?

3. What would becoming a mentor mean to you on a personal and / or professional level?

4. What experiences and / or expertise do you have that would make you a good mentor?

5. What kinds of difficulties do you think a first-year student at Columbia may have? Specifically, what
are some difficulties a new student of color may encounter in particular?

6. What steps have you taken towards inclusion on campus?

7. Briefly discuss your personal and professional goals.

Re-applying Peer Mentors

1. Why do you want to return as a mentor in the Peer Support Program?

2. How has being a peer mentor influenced your perception of student needs, specifically high-risk students?

3. Talk about one challenge you faced as a peer mentor. What did you learn from this challenge, and how
would you handle this challenge differently in the future?

4. What kinds of difficulties do you think a first-year student at Columbia may have?
What are some difficulties a new student of color may encounter in particular?

5. What steps have you taken towards inclusion on campus?

6. Briefly discuss your personal and professional goals.

Recommendation Forms

Please provide two recommendations from Columbia College professors, staff, or administrators.
Have these recommendations turned in with your packet in sealed, signed envelopes.
Your application will be considered incomplete if both recommendations are not received
at the time of application.

Acknowledgement

To the best of my knowledge, the information I have provided in this application is accurate and true.
I realize that intentional falsification on this application will disqualify my candidacy for the
Peer Support Program Mentor Position. By signing this, I agree and allow the Office of Multicultural
Affairs to access my academic and judicial records for the purposes of supporting my tenure and
achievement as a peer mentor and Columbia College Chicago student.

Signature: Date:

Peer Support Program

Columbia College Chicago

Office of Multicultural Affairs

Mentor Application

Recommendation Form

Candidate:

Thank you for agreeing to write a recommendation on behalf of this mentor candidate.
The Peer Support Program is dedicated to providing leadership opportunities for
mentors and guidance for first-year students. Successful candidates will be those who
demonstrate exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills, academic excellence, and
knowledge of Columbia College Chicago and the local community.

Please rate the applicant on the following characteristics and add comments below.

Skills / Attributes / No Basis for Rating / Poor / Below Average / Average / Above Average / Excellent
Ability to relate to and work with others: Strong interpersonal skills and an excellent team player
Leadership ability: An effective leader with the ability to inspire and direct others
Initiative and motivation: Identifies goals and accomplishes tasks with little prompting
Organizational skills: Can handle multiple tasks, manages time well and meets deadlines.
Creativity: Ability / potential to develop, market, and implement activities and programs to engage students
Responsibility: Uses sound judgment, accepts responsibility, takes pride in work, and is dependable.

(Continued on the back)

1. How long have you known the candidate and in what capacity?

2. What is your perception of the candidate’s character, ability to be a peer mentor, ability to work in a team, and overall attitude?

3. What is your perception of the candidate’s understanding of student support and retention as well as their appreciation for cultural diversity?

4. What other comments would you like to share on the candidate’s demonstration of independence, familiarity and utilization of campus resources, ability to rate peers, etc.?

Reference Name (Print):

Position: Department:

Email: Phone:

Signature: Date:

Please submit this recommendation in a sealed, signed envelope.
All recommendations are due with the application by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Peer Support Program

Columbia College Chicago

Office of Multicultural Affairs

Mentor Application

Recommendation Form

Candidate:

Please rate the applicant on the following characteristics and add comments below.

(Continued on the back)

1. How long have you known the candidate and in what capacity?

2. What is your perception of the candidate’s character, ability to be a peer mentor, ability to work in a team, and overall attitude?

3. What is your perception of the candidate’s understanding of student support and retention as well as their appreciation for cultural diversity?

4. What other comments would you like to share on the candidate’s demonstration of independence, familiarity and utilization of campus resources, ability to rate peers, etc.?

Reference Name (Print):

Position: Department:

Email: Phone:

Signature: Date:

Please submit this recommendation in a sealed, signed envelope.
All recommendations are due with the application by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2014