Apply to be a Peer Leader

Peer Leaders serve as mentors to first year students within the RHSA, helping students assimilate to college at UMass Lowell. The application deadline is Friday, April 2, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

RHSA students who will have completed by May 2023 at least their first year at UMass Lowell are eligible to apply for these positions. RHSA Peer Leaders help mentor and support the next group of RHSA students, represent the RHSA at various events, provide regular input into the decision-making process for the RHSA as part of the RHSA team, and experience additional leadership development and training. These students will be asked to perform the following duties as their responsibilities for $2,000 scholarships that will be applied to their tuition bill ($1,000 for the fall semester, $1,000 for the spring semester). Each Peer Leader will be assigned a group of RHSA first-year students for the purposes of mentoring, personal contact, and breakout groups as outlined below. Returning Peer Leaders will be provided additional leadership and growth opportunities.

The application for this position is due by Friday, April 2 at 11:59 p.m. We recommend that you compose your responses in a file format you can save and then copy and paste them into this application once you are ready to submit. 

Purpose

  • To mentor new RHSA freshmen by offering advice, answering questions, serving as a receptive listener, and helping students acclimate to campus culture and access campus resources
  • To model positive university citizenship, good student success habits, River Hawk pride, and commitment to the RHSA and each other
  • To assist in the personal development of our students and in their understanding of how to achieve success as a college student
  • To help plan and run events for RHSA students
  • To facilitate communication between RHSA students and staff and administrators working in the RHSA
  • To offer feedback and ideas for the RHSA
  • To develop their own leadership identity along with key leadership skills and strategies

Responsibilities

  • Complete a profile questionnaire in the summer of 2023, which will be the basis for your PL profile on the RHSA website
  • Attend all mandatory trainings, meetings, and events as outlined in the PTL Required Meetings document
  • Participate in the RHSA Welcome Day and run breakout group sessions during that day
  • Meet with each student in your assigned RHSA group at least 2 times per semester for a 30-minute one-on-one mentoring conversation
  • Initiate personal contact with assigned RHSA freshman group at least once per week and respond to your students’ outreach and questions
  • Administer pulse checks and report results back to RHSA staff
  • Represent RHSA during at least one additional RHSA event for current students or Admissions event for potential/new students each semester
  • Communicate with your matched Faculty Advocate to collaborate on supporting your shared RHSA Pod (your group of freshmen you are mentoring)
  • Co-create and run with other Peer Leaders an original event for students once per semester

Additional Requirements

  • Enroll in full-time classes during the fall and spring semesters
  • Maintain a cumulative 2.5 GPA
  • Act within the expectations of the UMass Lowell student conduct code
  • Commit to the time and work necessary to be successful in this role without significant competing responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

  • Identify and access leadership resources and opportunities at UMass Lowell
  • Reflect on their leadership behaviors and potential areas of leadership growth while articulating and implementing strategies to further develop their overall leadership abilities and philosophy
  • Investigate and practice strategies to best support a diverse population of first-generation college students
  • Describe key campus resources and offices and how students can connect with them
  • Communicate effectively with students and staff for a variety of purposes within various academic, professional, and social settings

Benefits

  • $2,000 Engagement Scholarship applied to their tuition bill ($1,000 for the fall semester, $1,000 for the spring semester)
  • Early move-in for on-campus housing
  • Priority registration during the fall and spring semesters
  • Leadership training and additional development supports throughout the academic year
  • Rich experiences that can be highlighted on a work resumé
  • Counts as a River Hawk Experience Distinction Leadership Experience
  • Personal connections with RHSA students and the intangible but vital rewards of mentoring first-year students
  • 10% bookstore discount
  • Additional scholarship opportunities just for Peer and Team Leaders