SECOND YEAR LEARNING COMMUNITY PEER MENTOR
JOB DESCRIPTION
As part of the Student Success Programs team in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Second Year Learning Communities (SLC) Peer Mentors will work under the supervision of the Student Success Programs Officer and the Associate Director, Student Success to provide mentorship and facilitate a welcoming and supportive community for a small group of second year students.
SLCs support students through a key transition within their undergraduate experience, specifically the acceptance and integration into a program of study during their second year in A&S. The SLC experience seeks to achieve three main student outcomes: allowing students to feel a sense of belonging, deepening students’ knowledge about their academic discipline and department, and empowering students to feel in control of their learning and future directions. Each SLC is facilitated by two Peer Mentors, with the guidance of a Staff Advisor and Faculty Advisor. Collaboratively, you will create and deliver bi-weekly tailored sessions to your mentees. Utilizing a session budget, you are tasked for creating community and providing meaningful experiences aligned with the program learning outcomes.
Two peer mentor positions are available in each of the following departments: Cell & Systems Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Economics; Geography & Planning; Human Biology; Mathematics; Pharmacology & Toxicology; Physics; Psychology; and Statistical Sciences.
Each Peer Mentor will be responsible for:
- Attending each SLC session from September to April at the designated SLC time.*
- Collaboratively planning and facilitating the activities for each session with your co-peer mentor
- Serving as a resource and role model for second-year students on behalf of the University of Toronto
- Submitting a SLC summary report that tracks session plans, attendance and budget on bi-weekly basis.
- Meeting regularly with the staff and faculty advisor to plan the content of the SLC sessions
- Developing an understanding of the needs of second-year university students within your department
- Fostering an inclusive environment that honours and elevates diverse voices and experiences, allowing for the psychological safety of all participating members
- Communicating to SLC students through e-mail and Quercus, responding promptly to questions, queries, and concerns
- Communicating accurate and timely information to students about relevant faculty and university resources
- Creating and completing a professional development plan to support their own growth and development as a leader
- Motivating others to reflect on and work towards academic, personal, and career goals
- Creating an accessible environment that limits barriers for participation for mentees
- Demonstrating integrity and responsible conduct with all SLC mentee interactions
- Coordinating and communicating SLC activities required for successful program completion (including department/faculty engagement activities and academic/career planning activities)
- Adhering to confidentiality policies and University policies
- Reporting any issues of importance or concern to the Student Success Programs Team
- Participating in Peer Mentor training and meetings in the fall and winter semesters
Qualifications
- Applicants must be a third- or fourth-year student enrolled in either a Specialist or Major in the host department of their SLC (Cell & Systems Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Economics; Geography & Planning; Human Biology; Mathematics; Pharmacology & Toxicology; Physics; Psychology; and Statistical Sciences)
- Must have completed at least 10 credits as of the coming September
- Must be enrolled in at least 2.0 FCE for the fall and winter terms (full course equivalent)
- Good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50)
- Experience developing and delivering programs for students and/or small group facilitation
- Strong ability to reflect on, and communicate about, student experiences
- Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team
- Ability to work effectively with staff and faculty advisors, fellow peer mentors and a cohort of second-year students
- Strong interest and passion to help students make a positive transition to their academic department
- Strong understanding of equity, diversity & inclusion practices and experience working with diverse populations
- Strong verbal and written communication, listening, and conflict resolution skills
- Familiarity with resources available through your home department, Arts & Science, and University of Toronto
- Experience in and/or familiarity with the FLC/SLC program, an asset
*Successful applicants must be available during their scheduled 90-minute SLC sessions from September through April. SLC session times can be found on the Second Year Learning Communities Website.
Peer Mentors will be required to work up to 6-10 hours per week, including attending each bi-weekly SLC session.
Rate of Pay: $15.90/hour
This position is intended to fall under work study. Please note, you can only hold one work study role during the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Faculty of Arts & Science encourages applicants that will continue to expand and diversify the backgrounds, experiences, and identities amongst members of our team, including students who have joined the faculty through an access program, Black, Indigenous or racialized students, students with a disability, students of religious/spiritual communities, 2SLGBTQ+ students and mature students.
Application Deadline: Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Please complete the application form and attach in pdf form a current resume, with your co-curricular engagement listed, and your unofficial transcript.
