2018 New Peer Mentor Application Serving Orientation, the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days, and the First Year Experience.

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1 2018 New Peer Mentor Application Serving Orientation, the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days, and the First Year Experience. Sponsored by First Year Experience and the Office of Student Success Longwood s new student programs are designed to introduce freshmen and transfer students to the university s living and learning community. Peer Mentors work to create a comfortable and safe environment in which entering students can individually and collectively find their feet in the Longwood community and provide new students with the tools and knowledge they need to start their college career. To allow for flexibility, applicants are asked to choose which Peer Mentor team they would like to join. For those applicants who cannot make the commitment to work over the summer, the Fall Team is the best option. The Office of Student Success is committed to hiring diverse and highly-motivated students who want to serve as positive role models for citizen leadership in the Longwood community. Summer Team Peer Mentor Position Description These Peer Mentors serve in a critical role for new students, their families, and the First Year Experience Team during Summer Orientation programs. Peer Mentors help new students learn about their academic requirements, register for classes, and begin to develop friendships with new and upper-class students. The Summer Team will be comprised of approximately Peer Mentors who will work June Orientation Sessions, the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days, and during the fall semester. This team will attend one spring training and training for the 1839 Experience. During the summer, this team will have a week-long training prior to the June Orientation sessions. This team will live together in campus housing and will be provided with a meal plan. The Summer Team will then join the Fall Team and execute all trainings and job responsibilities of the Fall Team. Fall Team Peer Mentor Position Description Approximately 30 Peer Mentors will be appointed to only the Fall Team and will be joined by the Summer Team in August (55-60 Peer Mentors total). This team will work the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days and mentor during the fall semester. During New Lancer Days and the fall semester, these Peer Mentors will help students learn about the wealth of co-curricular programs and support services available; begin to develop strategies and approaches for managing time, studying, and decision making; and be introduced to the spirit of inquiry in our intellectual community. Peer Mentors will be responsible for attending training for the 1839 Experience and attending a week-long training prior to New Lancer Days. Additionally, team members will be asked to attend meetings during the fall semester. Responsibilities for Peer Mentors* Attend and fully participate in all scheduled training sessions. Attend and engage in all meetings with your Student Success Coach AND with your First Year Community during the fall semester. Share your Longwood experiences with new students and parents and help them understand the importance of academics and the value of co-curricular experience. Facilitate small groups of students and/or parents and help them navigate the campus. Maintain consistent and timely correspondence with new students during the 1839 Experience, a Canvas based correspondence program, prior to move-in and New Lancer Days. Assist with the design/selection and facilitation/implementation of topical programs (e.g. using DegreeWorks, time management, alcohol, relationships, transition, etc.) for New Lancer Days. Take your group to all programs during all Orientation programs AND New Lancer Days. Collaborate with other Peer Mentors, RAs, faculty and staff to enhance the new student experience. Contribute to the design and implementation of transitional curriculum materials in conjunction with a faculty/staff Student Success Coach. Plan activities and outreach events for your group and inform the Student Success Coach about developments and activities of the group. Foster a sense of community and trust by modeling appropriate risk-taking and self-disclosure.

2 Assist in developing an inclusive environment that is open to all points of view. Become familiar with University resources (e.g. Residential and Commuter Life, Health & Wellness Center, Learning Center, Counseling, etc.) to help students and make appropriate referrals to them when necessary. Serve as a role model exhibiting enthusiasm, motivation, and involvement. Learn to adapt to change and actively solve problems. Exercise good judgment in representing the university in a professional manner and uphold institutional standards, including the Honor Code. Refrain from consuming alcohol or hosting guests on campus during Peer Mentor training, all Orientation programs, and New Lancer Days. *This list is not comprehensive. Additional duties may be assigned in conjunction with the mission of the Peer Mentor program. Qualifications In order to apply for a Peer Mentor position, you must: Be a full-time Longwood student; have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average or higher; and be in good standing with Longwood (have no active judicial/honor sanctions). Have completed one full semester at Longwood (current first year students are eligible). Have/be willing to learn general knowledge about Longwood and University resources. Be involved in Longwood s academic and co-curricular programs. Applicant Eligibility Eligibility to serve as a Peer Mentor is dependent on your ability to attend all dates specified below. Peer Mentors will not be excused from Peer Mentor Training or New Lancer Days to attend trainings for other campus groups. Students who will serve as Resident Assistants, Resident Technology Associate s (RTA s), and Desk Aides ARE NOT ELIGIBLE to serve as Peer Mentors since there are conflicts with training and opening responsibilities for these other positions. This policy may apply to other campus groups who have required commitments during Peer Mentor training and New Lancer Days. Please talk to the First Year Experience staff if you have questions. Students registering for in-person Summer Session I courses ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for the Summer Team as class times directly conflict with training and Orientation programs (online classes are permissible). However, you are still eligible to apply for the Fall Team. Compensation Develop invaluable leadership skills working with small and large groups and a variety of individuals. Develop a professional relationship with a faculty and/or staff mentor. Receive meals and housing free during training and summer Orientation programs (Summer Team only). Receive meals while working Fall Team Training and New Lancer Days. Summer Team Monetary Compensation Each Peer Mentor will work all June Orientation Programs, the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days and during the fall 2018 semester. $800 for Summer Orientation programs (plus housing and meals) $200 for July Orientation (not all summer Peer Mentors are required to work July Orientation) $112.5/day for each day of New Lancer Days (roughly 12 hour days) $200 stipend at the completion of the fall semester Fall Team Monetary Compensation Each Peer Mentor will work the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days and during the fall 2018 semester. $112.50/day for each day of New Lancer Days (approx. 12 hour days) $200 stipend at the completion of the Fall Semester

3 Dates of Commitment ALL Peer Mentors: Spring/April Training -Training on the 1839 Experience: TBD. Trainings will be offered multiple times in April. August Experience: Peer Mentors send weekly s and interact on Canvas with incoming students. One hour per week commitment in August completed online from home and later on campus during Fall Team Training. -Fall Team Training: Saturday-Wednesday, August (Move in on the 11 th and begin training on the 12 th.) -New Lancer Days: August Fall Semester -Attend all First Year Community meetings with your students (August November) -Attend Peer Mentor meetings (August-November) Summer Team Peer Mentors ONLY: Spring -Summer Team will have a group meeting/training prior to end of the Spring semester. June & July -Summer Team Training: June 21 June 26 (housing & meals provided). (Move in on the 21 st and begin training on the 22 nd.) -Orientation Programs: June 27, June 28, and June 29, -Late Summer Orientation: Saturday, July 28 th (Not all Summer PMs return for this program) Selection Process Final applications are due to First Year Experience by midnight on Friday, February 16 th, Applications can be ed to firstyear@longwood.edu but the Selection Committee highly encourages you to submit your application in person. Invitations to move on to the second round of interviewing will be extended via no later than Friday, March 2, Selection Day from 8:00am-Noon (12:30pm for returners) on Saturday, March 17, Applicants will be notified of selection via on or before Friday, March 2, Please Note: The applicant is responsible for meeting all deadlines & reserving all potential training and interview dates. It is imperative you contact First Year Experience immediately if you are unable to make a commitment related to the selection process. Academic obligations/emergency circumstances are the only excuses for missing Selection Day on Saturday, March 17th. Applicants are also responsible for completion of the Google Doc as a part of the application submission process. If the Google Doc is not submitted prior to the deadline, the application is invalid and will not be reviewed.

4 PLEASE CHECK ONLY ONE (application will be invalid if one is not chosen): I am applying for: SUMMER TEAM (ALL June Orientation Programs, the 1839 Experience, New Lancer Days, Fall Semester) FALL TEAM (1839 Experience, New Lancer Days and the Fall Semester) Please Note: If you mark Summer Team and are not selected, you may still be offered a position on the Fall Team New Peer Mentor Application Name (first, middle, last) Longwood ID # Residence Hall and Room or Local Address Campus Mailbox # Cell Phone # Address Permanent Address (street, city, state, zip code) T-Shirt Size Cumulative GPA (min. of 2.5 required) Circle Current Class Year Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior Major (minor if applicable) PLEASE TYPE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS ON A SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER. YOUR RESPONSES SHOULD NOT EXCEED FOUR TOTAL PAGES (inclusive of resume). 1) Please include a resume detailing your education, employment, campus activities, and/or community service involvements. Indicate leadership positions where applicable. 2) You are approached on Brock Commons by a prospective student and his family who are making a final tour of colleges. They stop and ask you about the available resources to aid in the transition to college. How would you go about answering this question while calming the fears of both the student and his family? 3) What are your personal interests and/or hobbies? Is there a particular subject or activity you are passionate about? Please describe your interests and what inspires you. 4) What personal characteristics do you consider to be a weakness of yours and how do you think being a Peer Mentor will help overcome this weakness? Also, what characteristics do you consider to be your strengths and how will you use these as a Peer Mentor? **Extra Credit: (response is not included in your total page count): What is your favorite spot on campus and why? PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT AND SIGN BELOW I have read and understand the qualifications, time commitments, remunerations, and job expectations for the 2018 Peer Mentor position. I acknowledge that the information contained in this application is factual and is a realistic assessment of my abilities. I understand that falsification of information on this application may result in my dismissal from the Peer Mentor selection process and Honor Board charges. I authorize the Office of First Year Experience & Family Programs and the Office of Student Success to verify my grade point average and my disciplinary record. Signature: Date:

5 References Please provide three references that can attest to your character, responsibility and leadership abilities. Ideally, these references should be able to provide information about you on personal, professional, and/or academic qualifications. Recommendations letters are not needed. Personal Reference Information: Professional Reference Information: Academic Reference Information: Please note: Immediate family members and current staff of the Office of First Year Experience & Family Programs and Director of Longwood Seminar are not suitable references.