WiSE Learning Community
Peer Mentor Positions

 

The peer mentor is a student staff member who provides leadership in the WiSE Learning Community in order to reduce the isolation many first-year women in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) feel. Mentors assist in achieving the goals of the program which include

• Achievement
• increased capacity to succeed in diverse and challenging curricula
• develop community leadership skills
• Student Development
• increased career maturity
• develop a greater sense of personal well-being
• increased self-efficacy
• Supportive learning environment
• build a community, sharing common goals of scholarship and excellence
• develop cross cultural understanding

The WiSE Learning Community is a year-long program. Twenty first-year women from majors in science and engineering may participate. Each mentor will partner with another peer mentor to serve as role models and help 20 new students in making the transition to college life.

Qualifications

For consideration, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• Minimum grade point average of 3.0
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of the major and college
• Positive attitude
• Self-motivated
• Sophomore or Junior standing
• Required to attend WiSE Peer Mentor training in the spring and Iowa State Learning Communities Peer Mentor training in August prior to the beginning of school
• Majoring in STEM field (see PWSE website www.pwse.iastate.edu for a complete list)

Individual Peer Mentor Responsibilities

Each peer mentor will be required to complete the following:

• Meet individually with the learning community coordinator once a month.
• Spend 2 hours per week “on duty” on the residential floor (on duty is time spent on the floor that is not reserved for individual meetings or group activities)
• Keep a journal of their individual team members and their personal development.
• Meet bi-weekly on a one-on-one basis with your assigned students during the fall semester and as needed during the spring semester. (2 – 3 hours/wk)
• Meet weekly with the learning community coordinator. (1 hour)
• Assist learning community coordinator in planning field trips/site visits.
• Plan and participate in service learning projects with the learning community.

Peer Mentor Team Responsibilities

Peer Mentor Teams will be paired together and assigned a WiSE Learning Community Team and will have the following responsibilities:

• Design a contract outlining individual peer mentor responsibilities to the learning team and expectations of your peer mentor partner.
• Meet as a peer mentor team with the learning community coordinator once a month.
• Arrange and participate in academic/social/leadership activities weekly (e.g. study sessions, speakers, movie nights, etc.)
• Maintain participant email list and provide information about the learning community to all members through this list
• Help students become familiar with university resources; advise and refer residents to appropriate university resources, as the need arises
• Required activities:
• Organize one tour for your learning team per semester.
• Organize one lunch/dinner/activity with a faculty member per semester.
• Participate in one diversity program per semester.
• Participate in one career development opportunity per semester.
• Coordinate one social activity/team-building event per month for the program participants.
• Other activities may include but are not limited to:
• Encourage students to participate in at least one academic development program (For example a lecture or a presentation from academic or career services on time-management or study skills program.)
• Encourage team as individuals to take part in at least one campus organization.

Compensation

Peer mentors receive a salary of $7.50 an hour for first year mentors and 8.00 per hour as second year mentors and work approximately 10 hours a week during the fall semester and approximately 7 hours at the same rate during the spring semester.

Application Process

Please complete the attached application and submit it by February 22, 2008 to Jill Wyckoff in 218 Carver Hall. Following review of all applications, interviews will be scheduled with applicants who meet the requirements. Interviews will last no longer than 30 minutes and will be scheduled during February 25, 2008 through March 7, 2008.

Questions about the peer mentor position or the application process should be directed to:

Name: Jill Wyckoff
Address: 218 Carver Hall
Phone: 515-294-9964
Email: pwsegrd2@iastate.edu

WiSE Living-Learning Community: Job description and application

Questions about the peer mentor position or the application process should be directed to:
Name: Jill Wyckoff
Address: 218 Carver Hall
Phone: 515-294-9964
Email: !pwsegrd2@mail.adp.iastate.edu