Peer Advisor Description for 2009-2010

The Deans' Office is looking for talented and motivated students to become SARN Peer Advisors for the 2009-2010 academic year. SARN Peer Advisors are juniors and seniors who work throughout the academic year to support Wesleyan's faculty advising program and enhance student access to academic resources through the Student Academic Resource Network (SARN). Peer Advisors will receive training, give peer advice and hold sessions for groups of students regarding time management, study and exam preparation strategies.

Duties

• Support new students with schedule planning and preparation for faculty advisor meetings during New Student Orientation and provide basic support for other orientation activities, including assisting with Arrival Day move in and as assigned.
• Act as an informed resource for all students regarding matters related to registration, WesMaps, major declaration, and schedule planning during registration periods (November and April).
• Act as a referral source throughout the academic year to support Wesleyan's faculty advising program and enhance student access to academic resources through the Student Academic Resource Network (SARN) by holding drop in sessions in the residence halls or other student populated locations.
• Participate in the planning and implementation of extended orientation programming through First Year Matters (FYM).
• Guide students in accessing the many academic resources available at Wesleyan, and provide referrals.
• Prepare and facilitate academic support workshops focusing on time management, studying and exam preparation strategies.
• Give individual peer advice on effective time management, studying and exam preparation.
• Attend one Orientation student staff training session in May.
• Attend intensive two week peer advising training prior to and during New Student Orientation.
• Attend bi-weekly on-going training sessions throughout the fall and spring semesters.
• Potential to participate in the monitoring of and responding to posts to the Peer Advisor blog beginning approximately June 1, 2009.
• Administrative duties associated with the position include, but are not limited to, regular reporting of peer advising and facilitation sessions, advertisement of sessions, communication with faculty, SARN partners, Residential Life and Student Activities staff, regular monitoring of correspondence on the peer advisor list serve, and other basic administrative duties as they arise.

Key qualifications

• Rising junior or senior.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations of students, faculty, and staff.
• Capacity for discretion, diplomacy and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated record of leadership, maturity and academic excellence.
• Resourcefulness.
• Deep knowledge of Wesleyan University including the academic support systems, registration processes and policies, and how to navigate academic departments.
• Prior experience in a peer advising role such as a Resident Advisor, Peer Career Advisor, Orientation Leader, Assistant, Teaching Assistant, or Writing Tutor is preferred.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.2/4.0, remain in good standing, and have a clear judicial history. (Please feel free to contact Dean Lazare to discuss the specifics of this qualification.)

Terms and Benefits

• Period of appointment: One welcome event in the late afternoon/early evening on April 27, 2009, one orientation student staff training session during May, August 2009 - May 2010, and blogging from June 2009-August 2009.
• Hours per week: Flexible evening hours during academic year (approx. 3-4 hrs per week), plus Orientation week hours, plus possible flexible hours for on-line peer advising to new students from June through August.
• Compensation: $10/hour during the academic year, plus stipend, room and board for all training sessions held during and prior to Orientation week.  A separate amount maybe awarded to peer advisors who blog over the summer.

Application

Application materials are available via a link at http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/peeradvising/. Applications consist of an application form, resume, and faculty reference form. Please send your application form and resume via e-mail to Lorna Scott in the Student Affairs Office/Deans' Office at lscott@wesleyan.edu, or drop them off in North College 219. Provide a copy of your resume to the faculty member who recommended you and ask the faculty member to submit a reference for you through the "Peer Advisor Recommendation" link in the "Advising" section of the faculty e-portfolio. Application deadline for all materials is Friday, March 6, 2009.

Questions?

Please contact:

Sarah E. Lazare
Associate Dean for Student Academic Resources
x2332, slazare@wesleyan.edu