Peer Mentor Program Job Description Program Description The peer mentor program is an integral component of the student success initiative on campus. Peer mentors are trained to assist students on a variety of academic and nonacademic issues. Peer mentors are expected to work collaboratively to engage students in activities that increase their peers’ involvement in a positive college experience. Peer mentors assist in the creation of an inclusive, academic-focused, engaging, and supportive community. Responsibilities Peer mentors report to the Director of Student Life who is supported by the Title III Project Director. Peer mentors are positive role models and a resource for students at Umpqua Community College. They help facilitate the students’ adjustment to the college environment, while working with the students outside of the classroom. Peer mentors:
help students become familiar with college resources; referring students to appropriate resources as the need arises, engage with students through academic success check-ins such as academic probation and early alert warnings, and drop for non-payment, develop, plan, organize, schedule, and/or lead workshops independently or in collaboration with appropriate campus departments/programs, help facilitate Student Orientations, provide assistance and information for students related to using their Riverhawk web self-service banner accounts, assist students with completing various forms related to enrollment and financial aid at UCC, including FAFSA, scholarship applications, appeal letters, etc. communicate with students regarding various dates and activities on campus, help develop peer mentor materials, including manuals, trainings, etc., hold regularly scheduled office hours, schedule individual appointments with students as needed, maintain records related to the peer mentoring program, attend peer mentor staff meetings, participate in training throughout the year as needed.
Qualifications/Characteristics Applicants must: be a current full-time student in good academic standing with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher, have completed 30 credits at UCC, have completed all pre-college level classes, have an understanding of, and sensitivity to, transition concerns and problems faced by new students, have the ability to relate to students have a genuine desire to work with diverse students while maintaining a nonjudgmental attitude, be aware of diversity and cultural differences, be knowledgeable about student services, campus resources, and student activities, maintain a positive and productive working relationship with staff, peers, and students,
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Peer Mentor Program Job Description
have a good knowledge of UCC policies and procedures, possess the ability to work independently and have the flexibility to work as a team member giving and taking directions, have experience working with, or an understanding of, the process of facilitating small groups as a group leader, possess strong written and verbal communication skills and be comfortable with public speaking, possess strong organizational and time management skills, be able to handle confidential information and materials with discretion, be confident in the ability to lead, be reliable and accountable.
Compensation Peer mentors receive current Oregon state hourly minimum wage and work 12-15 hours a week. Peer mentors may be eligible for a pay increase after 300 hours of work and satisfactory evaluations. Term of Employment Peer mentors, pending satisfactory evaluations, may work up to eight terms. Please note: Beginning academic year 2015-2016, a Student Ambassador may not simultaneously work as Peer Mentor or serve as an ASUCC Executive Council Officer. Application Process Complete the attached application and submit it to the Director of Student Life, Marjan Coester in the Student Center. Applicants must have two references from campus employees submitted directly to Marjan Coester. The references should be as follows: Leadership Reference o This reference should give a specific example of demonstrated leadership abilities, service involvement, and impact outside of the classroom. Academic Reference o This reference should be from a community college faculty member citing specific examples of demonstrated academic progress and excellence in the classroom. Interviews will be scheduled with individuals whose applications are complete by the posted deadline. Questions about the Peer Mentor position or the application process should be directed to Marjan Coester by e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at 541.440.7749. Umpqua Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This means that we will extend equal opportunity to all individuals without regard for race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, handicaps or veterans status. This policy affirms UCC's commitment to the principles of fair employment and the elimination of all vestiges of discriminatory practices that might exist.
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Peer Mentor Program Application
Please print clearly. Missing information may delay the processing of your application.
Name: ____________________________ Banner ID#: ___________________ Mailing Address:_____________________ City: _______ State: ___ Zip: _____ Phone Number: _____________________ E-mail: _______________________ Major: ____________________________ Intended graduation date: ________ If you have graduated from UCC and transferred to a university, complete the following:
University attending ______ Major___________ Intended date of graduation____
Rate yourself in the following skill areas and characteristics: 4=Excellent
3=Very Good
2=Acceptable
____Accountability ____Creativity ____Dependability/Reliability ____Facilitating Small Groups ____Flexibility/Adaptability ____Initiative ____Integrity ____Knowledge of Campus Resources ____Knowledge of Student Services
1=Needs Improvement
____Knowledge of UCC Policies and Procedures ____Leadership ____Listening Skills ____Oral Communications ____Organization ____Patience ____Positive Attitude ____Problem Solving ____Public Speaking
0=No Basis for Rating
____Rapport with Faculty and Staff ____Rapport with Peers ____Responsibility ____Study Habits ____Teamwork ____Time Management ____Using Riverhawk Web ____Work Independently ____Written Communications
Short Answers On a separate sheet(s) of paper, please provide a thoughtful response to each of the questions below. 1) Why did you choose to attend a community college? 2) Why do you want to be a peer mentor? 3) What do you hope to achieve from this experience? 4) Please describe a challenge you have had as a student and how you have overcome the challenge.
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Peer Mentor Program Application 5) Please describe resources that you have used on campus and how they have been of benefit to you. 6) Please describe any mentoring experience you have had in the past. 7) Please describe any other obligations you may have while attending college that may affect your participation as a peer mentor.
I understand that the falsification of information on this application will be sufficient cause for dismissal. I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, all information on this application is true and accurate. I authorize UCC to follow up with any provided references in order to obtain further information about my qualifications and character. Student Signature
Date
______
Questions about the Peer Mentor position or the application process should be directed to Marjan Coester by e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at 541.440.7749. Application Deadline: 2
4/14/2015
Peer Mentor Program Academic Reference Form
Name _____________________________________
Banner ID ____________________
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 gives a student a right of access to an evaluation written about him or her. The law also permits the student to sign a waiver relinquishing his or her right to inspect letters of recommendation. The applicant’s signature below constitutes a waiver; no signature means that the student will have the right to read this recommendation. Student Signature ___________________________
Date ________________________
The above named student has applied for the position of peer mentor. The peer mentor program is an integral component of the student success initiative on campus. Peer mentors are trained to assist students on a variety of academic and non-academic issues. Peer mentors are expected to work collaboratively to engage students in activities that increase their peers’ involvement in a positive college experience. Peer mentors assist in the creation of an inclusive, academic-focused, engaging, and supportive community. Reference Name (please print) _______________________________________________ Position _________________________________________________________________ E-mail ___________________________________
Phone ____________________
Please rate the student using the following: 4=Excellent
3=Very Good
____Creativity ____Initiative ____Integrity ____Oral Communications ____Organization
2=Acceptable
1=Needs Improvement
____Rapport with Faculty and Staff ____Rapport with Peers ____Responsibility ____Study Habits
0=No Basis for Rating
____Teamwork ____Time Management ____Work Independently ____Written Communications
Please attach a written letter of recommendation, addressing the following questions: 1) How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? 2) What about the applicant demonstrates her/his ability to be an appropriate role model for other students? 3) Please cite examples of demonstrated academic progress and excellence in the classroom. Reference Signature _______________________
Date _____________________
Thank you for your assistance. Please return in a sealed envelope to Marjan Coester in the Student Center. 4/14/2015
Peer Mentor Program Leadership Reference Form Name _______________________________________
Banner ID ____________________
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 gives a student a right of access to an evaluation written about him or her. The law also permits the student to sign a waiver relinquishing his or her right to inspect letters of recommendation. The applicant’s signature below constitutes a waiver; no signature means that the student will have the right to read this recommendation. Student Signature _____________________________
Date ________________________
The above named student has applied for the position of peer mentor. The peer mentor program is an integral component of the student success initiative on campus. Peer mentors are trained to assist students on a variety of academic and non-academic issues. Peer mentors are expected to work collaboratively to engage students in activities that increase their peers’ involvement in a positive college experience. Peer mentors assist in the creation of an inclusive, academic-focused, engaging, and supportive community. Reference Name (please print) _______________________________________________ Position _________________________________________________________________ E-mail ___________________________________
Phone ____________________
Please rate the student using the following: 4=Excellent
3=Very Good
2=Acceptable
____Accountability ____Dependability/Reliability ____Facilitating Small Groups ____Flexibility/Adaptability ____Integrity
1=Needs Improvement
____Leadership ____Listening Skills ____Patience ____Positive Attitude ____Problem Solving
0=No Basis for Rating
____Public Speaking ____Rapport with Faculty and Staff ____Rapport with Peers ____Teamwork
Please attach a written letter of recommendation, addressing the following questions: 1) How long have you known the applicant and in what capacity? 2) What about the applicant demonstrates her/his ability to be an appropriate role model for other students? 3) Please cite examples of demonstrated leadership abilities, service involvement, and impact outside of the classroom. Reference Signature ________________________
Date _____________________
Thank you for your assistance. Please return in a sealed envelope to Marjan Coester in the Student Center. 4/14/2015
