Peer Mentor

Peer Mentor Application
Peer Mentor Supplemental Application
Peer Mentor Reference Form

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Training
Peer Mentor Selection

Peer Mentors are part-time, live-in, student staff members who have a visible, active and positive presence in first year residence halls. Peer Mentors work individually and collaboratively to help first year students experience a positive transition to UMass Amherst, and assist in the creation of inclusive, academically-focused communities.

Academic Success Mentoring is the primary focus of a Peer Mentor's work, and is defined as providing students with assistance in areas such as time management, study skills, organization, test-taking skills, study group strategies, understanding a syllabus, using internet systems (ie: OWL, SPIRE, UMail, etc). Additionally, a critical part of Academic Mentoring is connecting first year students with academic resources including faculty/instructors, advisors, tutors, help centers, study locations, libraries, etc.

Peer Mentors also implement programs and initiatives that provide first year students with access to campus resources, opportunities to connect to faculty and instructors in an informal atmosphere, and assistance with overcoming daily challenges in the course of their personal and academic development.

Training

Peer Mentor training consists of an 8-10 day training in late August, a 3-day training in January, and on-going small group trainings based on relevant monthly topics or concerns. The purpose of August training is to prepare new staff for their role as an academic mentor for first-year students in a residence hall community. August training includes training on the following topics:

• Intro to the Residential First Year Experience & First Year Students
• Intro to Peer Mentoring
• 5 Roles of a Peer Mentor
• Communicating Effectively
• Understanding Learning
• Teaching Academic Success Skills
• Diversity
• Campus Resources for Student Success
• Planning Effective Programs
• Mental Health Awareness
• Peer Mentor Role in Crisis Situations and Policy Violations

Returning staff completes training that enhances their mentoring skills and provides opportunities for professional development and leadership growth. All staff participate in sessions together that promote team-building and address various Residence Education training priorities for all student-staff.

In January, the Peer Mentor staff returns to campus for a training period that focuses on further developing peer mentoring skills, enhancing the RFYE program, and assisting students in their transition to sophomore year.

Peer Mentor Selection

Peer Mentor selection has developed into a highly selective process. Peer Mentor candidates are recruited in October to apply for the Spring semester and in March for the following academic year. The goal of the recruitment process is to yield a large, diverse pool of candidates that will lead to the hiring of highly qualified Peer Mentors who best match the academic communities that are available in the Residential First Year Experience (RFYE Themes and RAPs).

An application for the Peer Mentor position consists of an application form, essay questions, resume, and 2 letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a current UMass faculty member or instructor. For each application, the following content areas are evaluated and scored: leadership, involvement and work experience; knowledge of first year students; the importance of academic success; recommendation letters; and overall quality and presentation of application. Applicants are then either recommended or not recommended for an interview.

The interview process for Peer Mentor Candidates consists of a 30 minute individual interview and a 60 minute group process. For the individual interview, candidates are evaluated and scored in the following areas: ability to facilitate academic success, diversity awareness, administrative skills, ability to build relationships, and overall strengths and weaknesses. For the group process, candidates are evaluated and scored in the following areas: communication skills, group interaction, participation, and attitude towards other's ideas and values.