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Overview of Position TRIO Peer Mentoring is a campus-based leadership position for the TRIO Student Support Services program. As a peer mentor, you will be providing a valuable service to the program by mentoring our first-generation and low-income students. In addition to mentoring, peer mentors participate in professional development opportunities to enhance their mentoring skills. Responsibilities Serve as a mentor to approximately 6 first-year/second-year students Meet with each student once a week for 30 minutes (3 hours/week). You will set up the appointment times with the students to fit around yours and their class schedules. The following is a list of additional critical components required of each mentor: Meet at least once every two weeks with your students’ academic coach (your students should all have the same academic coach– 1 hour/biweekly). Host 1 study hall or group activity weekly for your students - 1 hour/week Attend mentor training with academic success coach - 1 hour/biweekly
Connect your students with campus resources. Advocate for your students by finding the best resources for them. Create, facilitate, teach, and promote group activities for your students as you see appropriate. Make efforts to contact students who miss appointments or seem to be out of touch. Communicate any concerns to the academic coach. Maintain records of all contacts with your students and topics covered. Maintain records of hours worked and submit, in a timely manner, to your students’ advisor.
Qualifications ? Enrolled full-time in an on-campus program at UNCA ? Junior or Senior Status (based on credit accumulation) ? Minimum GPA of 2.8 ? Creativity, enthusiasm, and flexibility ? Ability to take initiative ? Excellent communication skills Preferred Qualifications ? Experience assisting students (K-12 or higher education) as a tutor, mentor, or other support ? Engaged in extracurricular activities on campus ? Participation in leadership roles Goals for mentors in weekly meetings with students: 1) Form a positive relationship with the student. You will be a role model to them in terms of how to get the most out of college and be successful. 2) Help students set goals based on the classes they are taking and any difficulties they may be having. Help them keep a record of any grades earned and of all upcoming assignments. Help them break down long-term assignments into short-term goals. 3) Help students learn to study every week, not just the week before the test. 4) Make sure the student has found an effective resource, such as weekly tutoring and make sure the student turns in documentation to verify that they attended the tutoring session. Coach them on how to get the most out of such resources. 5) Use the meeting time well. Sometimes, you may not need to review goals and assignments but could instead take them to the computer lab to meet a student who will train them in using Moodle, for example. You might take them to the library to help them find resources they need. 6) Be encouraging and supportive. Be an ally to your student. Get to know the student’s Academic Success Coach well so you can help connect the student to that resource as well. 7) Help your student feel a part of UNCA. Encourage them to take advantage of clubs or sports; help them find positive outlets for their emotional, spiritual, social, and physical needs as well as academics. 8) Be aware of campus resources and try to connect them in a meaningful way to such resources. Compensation and Hours 5 Hours/Week ? ~$15.00 per hour For more information or questions, please contact Dr. Rebekkah Watkins, Academic Success Coach TRIO, at rwatkin1@unca.edu |