Job Description

Gonzaga University

The Office of Housing and Residence Life

Job Description: Peer Mentor

JOB PURPOSE

Gonzaga University is currently hiring for the position of Peer Mentor (PM) within the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Ideal candidates for the PM position are committed to lifelong learning, understand that challenge is a part of learning, and are interested in supporting the active and experiential learning of their peers.


Under the supervision of a Residence Director (RD) and Assistant Residence Director (ARD) from Housing and Residence Life, the PM will serve as a co-learner and advisor in a fall First-Year Seminar and spring Reasoning course section, acting as a role model for intellectual engagement and curiosity. By actively engaging with course content in and outside of the classroom, the PM engages students in opportunities to achieve the Baccalaureate Learning Goals: “cultivate reflective, responsible individuals rooted in Jesuit, Catholic, humanist traditions, whose knowledge, skills, habits of mind and spirituality enable them to grow in the service of faith and the promotion of justice.” The PM position is a student live-on position that works in Coughlin Hall. This position works an average of 10 - 12 hours per week.


This position supports the Jesuit and Housing and Residence Life mission, as well as the University Core Curriculum Year One theme and question: Understanding and Creating: How do we pursue knowledge and cultivate understanding?

Essential Functions

  • Attend classes in their assigned fall First-Year Seminar (FYS) section and spring Reasoning course section every week.

  • Complete readings and other weekly assignments in preparation to learn and participate alongside students in their assigned classes.

  • Host four to six hours (in two-hour increments) of class collaboration hours per week in your residence hall.

  • Make a strong effort to get to know the students in your FYS section(s).

  • Offer ongoing academic assistance related to your FYS section(s).

  • Offer support related to academic advising and assistance and learning strategies.

  • Provide an opportunity for students to continue learning beyond scheduled class hours.

  • Attend bi-weekly all-Peer Mentor meetings.

  • Attend monthly one-on-ones with your supervising Residence Director.

  • Disseminate information and reminders to students in your assigned FYS section(s) regarding upcoming building and campus events related to the FYS theme; encourage students to actively engage in their floor, building, and campus community.

  • Collaborate with one other Peer Mentor to develop and implement one Academic Success program in the Fall and Spring semesters based on provided materials:

  • Collaborate with one other Peer Mentor to plan one Coughlin Conversation per semester.

  • Develop and implement one active program related to your assigned First-Year Seminar course.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of Gonzaga University resources and serve as a referral point for first-year students as necessary; actively refer students to their Resident Assistant.

  • Collaborate with the professor of your assigned First Year Seminar course to further define your PM role in relation to your specific course and the course requirements, including how to best use class collaboration hours.

  • Act as a role model, demonstrating positive academic, co-curricular, and leadership behaviors.

  • Follow all guidelines and expectations found in the Peer Mentor Job Description, Peer Mentor Working Agreement, Housing Agreement, Gonzaga University Student Handbook, and Gonzaga University Code of Conduct.

Required Trainings and Other Dates

  • HRL Student Staff Orientation Training: Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 5:30PM - 8PM

  • Payne Center's Community of Leaders: Monday, August 21, 2023

  • Fall Peer Mentor Training and Faculty Lunch: Tuesday, August 22, 2023

  • LLC Retreats and Pre-Orientation: Wednesday, August 23 - 24, 2023

  • New Student Move-In: Friday, August 25, 2023

  • Other Trainings and Events TBD

OTHER INFORMATION

Minimum Qualifications

  • Complete two semesters as a residential student either at Gonzaga or another college/university.

  • Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student (12+ credits) unless entering final year as a Gonzaga University student and full-time status is not required in order to graduate.

  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; Peer Mentors must maintain this GPA while in the role.

  • It is not recommended that students in the following fields of study apply for the PM position due to the time commitment required to be successful in the role:

  • Nursing students who are participating in clinical rotations,

  • Theatre performance students, nor

  • Teaching/education student who are completing student teaching hours.

  • Demonstrate strong group facilitation and interpersonal skills.

  • Understanding and exhibition of emotional intelligence.

  • Desire to get to know peers, serve as a resource, and inspire intellectual engagement and curiosity.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Students who lived in a first-year living-learning community.

  • Students who have taken an eligible First-Year Seminar course.

  • Previous experience tutoring, teaching, or leading a group.

Compensation

All compensation is provided for as long as the Office of Housing and Residence Life actively employs the PM. Total compensation for the PM position is approximately $8,000 (total room cost depends on the residence hall).

  • PMs are invited and encouraged to live in Coughlin Hall with the LLC residents. PMs who choose to do so will be provided with a room chosen by Housing and Residence Life in Coughlin Hall. The assigned room will be shared with one other PM assigned to the hall.

  • The PM will be issued a room waiver that covers half the cost of the room per semester (e.g. a PM assigned to Coughlin Hall will be charged $1,705 for a double room that typically costs $3,410).

  • If a PM chooses not to live in Coughlin Hall, the PM will participate in spring Housing Selection and receive a discount on their Housing bill equivalent to the Housing Waiver that PMs living in Coughlin Hall receive.

  • PMs will earn between $120 and $180 per week by logging between 8 and 12 trackable hours, such as study class collaboration hours, meetings, etc.

  • PMs may use the PM position as their internship for LDRS 497 Leadership Internship course if enrolled.

Supervision Received

A designated Residence Director (RD) and Assistant Residence Director (ARD) supervise each PM. The Peer Mentor Core Fellow, Dr. Scott Starbuck, and faculty members who teach the PM’s assigned First-Year Seminar and Reasoning courses also provides direction, feedback, and support in a non-supervisory role and maintains jurisdiction regarding the PM’s role in the classroom.