First-Year Experience - What are Peer Academic Leaders?

First-Year Experience

A PAL Newcomer is a more-experienced peer who is trained to support first-year students by:

- Actively facilitating learning in the classroom by encouraging students to participate, providing feedback, and guiding students through activities
- Building community within student teams by leading icebreakers and community building activities and by maintaining a team-mindset
- Acting as a resource guide for students who are new to campus and may not know all that Chico State has to offer
- Modeling successful college student behaviors by engaging with the material and utilizing time management systems and resources on campus

A PAL Oldtimer is a more-experienced PAL who is trained to support PAL Newcomers & Faculty by:

- Modeling successful mentor behaviors to PAL Newcomers in the classroom by encouraging students to participate, providing feedback, and guiding students through activities
- Building community within FYE staff teams by leading a weekly Team Meeting
- Acting as a resource guide for PAL Newcomers and FYE Faculty who are new to FYE and may not know all that the office has to offer
- Creating a support system for FYE Faculty by leading a weekly Faculty Meeting

* includes strongly agree & agree statements

Frequently Asked Questions

the Hiring Process in FYE

I’m ready to apply! Where’s the link?

Check Handshake in mid-March for FYE job postings!

I’ve applied! Now what?

Keep an eye on your csuchico email for an email from fye@csuchico.edu with a link to a Bookings page to schedule your in-person interview!

I got an interview!! How do I prepare?

Follow the instructions in your email! PALs are asked to bring a community building activity that can be:

led by a PAL
completed in the classroom
with a group of 5-7 first-year students
in ~5 minutes
with materials that the PAL will supply (if any are required)

FYE Tip: Think carefully about an activity that is low stakes enough that it won't make the students nervous, but also encourages the students to discover interests or experiences that they have in common to encourage community building.

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