2025-2026 First-Year Seminar Peer Mentors
Arcadia University faculty guide and educate first-year students in their First-Year Seminar class, and also mentor and role model for their Peer Mentors. In turn, Peer Mentors accept the responsibility to engage with faculty and reciprocate mentorship and role modeling for their first-year students. Peer Mentors provide valuable service and support to both faculty and first-year students within the First-Year Seminar. This leadership position is newly designed to complement and collaborate with other leadership positions on campus such as Orientation Leaders and Student Experience Leaders, especially during Fall Welcome Week.
Peer Mentor Job Description
Peer Mentors are teaching assistants whose purpose is to provide support and value to faculty and new students. They earn a stipend and although they do not receive academic credit, the outcome is an educational, growth opportunity for Peer Mentors. First-Year Seminar faculty will assign work and direct the Peer Mentor experience. Peer Mentors take a leadership role with new students during Fall Welcome Week alongside Student Engagement Leaders (SELs), Orientation Leaders (OLs) and Arcadia Ambassadors in order to support students as they transition into their first year at Arcadia. Peer Mentors are not able to be employed as Student Engagement Leaders, Transfer Mentors, Orientation Leaders, or NEW Resident Assistants in the same semester they are employed as Peer Mentors.
Qualifications:
- Maintain enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student at Arcadia University
- Maintain a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 at the time of hire, as well as throughout the duration of the experience.
- Be in Good Academic Standing with the University (a prior history of Warning or Notice is acceptable as long as Peer Mentors are in Good Standing at the time of hire and maintain this status while serving as a Peer Mentor).
- Maintain a clear record of disciplinary at the time of hire, as well as throughout the duration of the experience (to be verified by Campus Life)
Peer Mentors must possess the following skills and competencies:
Student-first Mindset:
- Eagerness to support and foster a sense of belonging at Arcadia
- A sensitivity to diversity, equity and inclusion in all of its forms
- Integrity and appropriate confidentiality
- Ability to practice empathy and compassion
Organization:
- Ability to lead and take initiative
- Ability to organize and execute group gatherings and events
- Time Management skills
Resourcefulness:
- Effective knowledge of campus resources
- Problem solving abilities
- An ability to demonstrate the values of Arcadia University through responsibility and campus engagement (represent the brand)
Collaboration:
- A desire to work with students, faculty, staff and collaborate with other student leaders
- A flexible, positive and a cooperative spirit
Communication skills:
- Adept written and verbal communication skills (including small talk skills and group texts)
- Public speaking skills
- Active listening skills
Peer Mentor Responsibilities:
- Participate and assist in the planning and implementation of Fall Welcome Week in collaboration with other student leader groups
- Collaborate with and support the faculty member by Be an active and enthusiastic participant in-class and during co-curricular activities
- Contributing to the planning and facilitation of class
- Collaborate with faculty to plan and implement First-Year Seminar class activities
- Meet with faculty on a regular basis
- Meet with their faculty member before the first class to outline mutual expectations
- Attend classes as mutually agreed upon between the Peer Mentor and instructor
- Communicate with and be accessible to students as a key resource including:
- Refer students to the appropriate campus offices and personnel (when appropriate)
- Role model critical thinking, reflection, sense of responsibility, commitment to high ethical academic standards, and informed decision-making
- Hold individual 15-20 minute meetings with first-year students twice during the semester
- Complete Mid & End of Semester Feedback and meet with Student Success Coordinator
- Use the experience to develop skills, expand understanding of self and others, and have fun
- Attend the entirety of Peer Mentor training before orientation in August 2025, (an additional training will be scheduled if needed for new spring 20265 Peer Mentors)
- Submit the Student Employment paperwork as required
Peer Mentor position benefits include:
- A stipend of $1,000 (paid in 8 installments as arranged by Student Employment/HR)
- Significant leadership experiences
- Development of professional relationships with faculty and staff
- Development of peer-to-peer mentoring and networking skills
- Enhancement of written and verbal communication skills
- Small group management, as well as budget and trip planning experience
- Travel to local and regional destinations/events (Peer Mentor travel costs and tickets are generally covered through the class budget)
- Assessments from peers, faculty, and self allowing for self-reflection and growth