What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2025 First-Year Experience Peer Mentor - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts position at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?
Location: North Adams, MA Category: Student Employment Posted On: Thu Dec 19 2024 Job Description:
Join other student leaders in supporting the successful transition of new students to MCLA. The role of the First-Year Experience Peer Mentor is to equip new MCLA students with the skills, behaviors, connections, and habits that contribute to student success at MCLA. The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor is responsible for leading first year students through Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation program, which provides a comprehensive academic and student life orientation. This combined program includes college, career, and life readiness skills, leadership and teamwork exploration, academic, personal, and career goal setting, learning strategies, and developing an understanding of the MCLA curriculum and academic resources. The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor position also involves supporting an FSEM course, which includes co-presenting a pre-selected topic with an assigned Staff Mentor partner for 20 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. It is understood that you might not know your fall class schedule at this moment, so you are still encouraged to still apply. Additional Spring programming may also be required. The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor is an official representative of MCLA and thus has high expectations for their employment.
Dates:
Interviews
Will be held between Monday, February 3rd, Friday, Feb 14th
All First-Year Experience Peer Mentor candidates are required to attend one of the interview sessions
Training
Tuesday, May 13th, Thursday, May 15th
Sunday, August 17th- Saturday, August 23rd
Week of Welcome (Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy/Orientation Program)
Sunday, August 24th- Tuesday, September 2nd
FSEM Course/Programming
September 2025-May 2026
FSEM Course Fall Semester for 8 weeks
Individual Programming
Possibly Spring 2026 programming
Job Requirements:
Must be available for training and all program dates. See dates above.
Pending class schedules, Peer Mentor must be available during one of the FSEM course time blocks
Minimum 2.0 G.P.A. and be in good academic standing
Applicant must be in good disciplinary standing with the College
Must have completed at least one semester at MCLA and currently enrolled as a full-time MCLA student
Maintain the First-Year Experience Mentor position as the only source of employment during training, Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation Program (Peer Mentor may assume additional campus employment after September 8th if additional employment does not conflict with assigned FSEM class)
Good standing must be kept throughout the entire term of your position. Conditional employment may be an option after discussing these details.
Maintain a high level of professionalism (appropriate attire, punctuality, alertness, etc.)
Specific Responsibilities
Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation
Attend all trainings- May 13th - May 15th and August 17th - 23rd
Lead first-year and transfer students through Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation Program August 24th- September 2nd
Responsible for presenting pre-built workshops and facilitating sessions, including but not limited to topics such as, leadership, engagement, choices, healthy communication, and belonging
Facilitate and support conversations around academic resources, including but not limited to advising, registration, canvas, degree audit
Lead icebreakers and team building activities,
Lead and/or support daily student-team meetings
Perform clerical tasks and assist with administrative functions
Serve as a liaison between new students and families and College offices/services
Provide campus tours
Help ease the transition of new students into college life by acting as a positive role model
Be a team player and create good working relations among all Peer Mentors and staff
Partner with Faculty Success Coaches and Staff Mentors
Other duties as assigned
FSEM Course- you might not know your Fall 2025 class schedule, but still review these responsibilities:
Co-present with Staff Mentor to assigned FSEM Course on a pre-selected topic once a week for 20 mins over 8 weeks, beginning the week of September 8th through week of October 27th
Communicate and coordinate with FSEM Instructor and Staff Mentor around presentation of topics, and other student success and concerns
Meet with assigned Staff Mentor to discuss best possible engagement opportunities for new students, including in the classroom topics and out of the class engagement opportunities
Attend scheduled programs and workshops as requested
Meet with students to provide guidance and advice outside of the FSEM course as needed
Additional Spring 2026 engagement opportunities are required on an as needed basis
Would need to participate in the community read program if implemented
Qualifications : A First-Year Experience Peer Mentor must possess a variety of qualities. We are looking for students who have a strong skill set or the potential to acquire the following skills through training:
Commitment to assisting students and families/Trailblazer Team Members with their adjustment to college
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Ability to serve as a positive role model and mentor
Enthusiasm for MCLA and for being a student
Positive, clear communication skills
Leadership potential
Problem solving abilities
Integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality with student records
Creativity
Dependability/reliability
Maturity
General knowledge of MCLA services and policies
Computer skills in the Microsoft Office Suite
Layout and Design skills (use of Canva or other design programs)
Able to work long hours during nights and weekends
Able to multitask and complete projects within a given schedule
Additional Information:
Compensation:
May Training-Peer Mentors would be paid $15 per hour
August Training and Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation program: Peer Mentors would be paid $2,500 for the time spent in training and the complete orientation program
Note: Net pay (aka the take home amount) will vary depending on tax withholdings, benefits, and other deductions
Fall FSEM and Spring programming-Peer Mentors will be paid $15 per hour for time spent in a FSEM class as well as outside additional meetings or programming completed.
This position is open only to students currently enrolled at MCLA.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts strongly encourages employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control recommendation is that everyone aged 6 and up should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they've received any original COVID-19 vaccines.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Chief Human Resources Officer.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Liz Frost
Interim Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Titleix@mcla.edu
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Join other student leaders in supporting the successful transition of new students to MCLA. The role of the First-Year Experience Peer Mentor is to equip new MCLA students with the skills, behaviors, connections, and habits that contribute to student success at MCLA. The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor is responsible for leading first year students through Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation program, which provides a comprehensive academic and student life orientation. This combined program includes college, career, and life readiness skills, leadership and teamwork exploration, academic, personal, and career goal setting, learning strategies, and developing an understanding of the MCLA curriculum and academic resources. The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor position also involves supporting an FSEM course, which includes co-presenting a pre-selected topic with an assigned Staff Mentor partner for 20 minutes once a week for 8 weeks. It is understood that you might not know your fall class schedule at this moment, so you are still encouraged to still apply. Additional Spring programming may also be required. The First-Year Experience Peer Mentor is an official representative of MCLA and thus has high expectations for their employment.
Dates:
Interviews
Will be held between Monday, February 3rd, Friday, Feb 14th
All First-Year Experience Peer Mentor candidates are required to attend one of the interview sessions
Training
Tuesday, May 13th, Thursday, May 15th
Sunday, August 17th- Saturday, August 23rd
Week of Welcome (Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy/Orientation Program)
Sunday, August 24th- Tuesday, September 2nd
FSEM Course/Programming
September 2025-May 2026
FSEM Course Fall Semester for 8 weeks
Individual Programming
Possibly Spring 2026 programming
Job Requirements:
Must be available for training and all program dates. See dates above.
Pending class schedules, Peer Mentor must be available during one of the FSEM course time blocks
Minimum 2.0 G.P.A. and be in good academic standing
Applicant must be in good disciplinary standing with the College
Must have completed at least one semester at MCLA and currently enrolled as a full-time MCLA student
Maintain the First-Year Experience Mentor position as the only source of employment during training, Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation Program (Peer Mentor may assume additional campus employment after September 8th if additional employment does not conflict with assigned FSEM class)
Good standing must be kept throughout the entire term of your position. Conditional employment may be an option after discussing these details.
Maintain a high level of professionalism (appropriate attire, punctuality, alertness, etc.)
Specific Responsibilities
Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation
Attend all trainings- May 13th - May 15th and August 17th - 23rd
Lead first-year and transfer students through Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation Program August 24th- September 2nd
Responsible for presenting pre-built workshops and facilitating sessions, including but not limited to topics such as, leadership, engagement, choices, healthy communication, and belonging
Facilitate and support conversations around academic resources, including but not limited to advising, registration, canvas, degree audit
Lead icebreakers and team building activities,
Lead and/or support daily student-team meetings
Perform clerical tasks and assist with administrative functions
Serve as a liaison between new students and families and College offices/services
Provide campus tours
Help ease the transition of new students into college life by acting as a positive role model
Be a team player and create good working relations among all Peer Mentors and staff
Partner with Faculty Success Coaches and Staff Mentors
Other duties as assigned
FSEM Course- you might not know your Fall 2025 class schedule, but still review these responsibilities:
Co-present with Staff Mentor to assigned FSEM Course on a pre-selected topic once a week for 20 mins over 8 weeks, beginning the week of September 8th through week of October 27th
Communicate and coordinate with FSEM Instructor and Staff Mentor around presentation of topics, and other student success and concerns
Meet with assigned Staff Mentor to discuss best possible engagement opportunities for new students, including in the classroom topics and out of the class engagement opportunities
Attend scheduled programs and workshops as requested
Meet with students to provide guidance and advice outside of the FSEM course as needed
Additional Spring 2026 engagement opportunities are required on an as needed basis
Would need to participate in the community read program if implemented
Qualifications : A First-Year Experience Peer Mentor must possess a variety of qualities. We are looking for students who have a strong skill set or the potential to acquire the following skills through training:
Commitment to assisting students and families/Trailblazer Team Members with their adjustment to college
Ability to work independently and as a team member
Ability to serve as a positive role model and mentor
Enthusiasm for MCLA and for being a student
Positive, clear communication skills
Leadership potential
Problem solving abilities
Integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality with student records
Creativity
Dependability/reliability
Maturity
General knowledge of MCLA services and policies
Computer skills in the Microsoft Office Suite
Layout and Design skills (use of Canva or other design programs)
Able to work long hours during nights and weekends
Able to multitask and complete projects within a given schedule
Additional Information:
Compensation:
May Training-Peer Mentors would be paid $15 per hour
August Training and Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy and Orientation program: Peer Mentors would be paid $2,500 for the time spent in training and the complete orientation program
Note: Net pay (aka the take home amount) will vary depending on tax withholdings, benefits, and other deductions
Fall FSEM and Spring programming-Peer Mentors will be paid $15 per hour for time spent in a FSEM class as well as outside additional meetings or programming completed.
This position is open only to students currently enrolled at MCLA.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts strongly encourages employees to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control recommendation is that everyone aged 6 and up should get 1 updated Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of whether they've received any original COVID-19 vaccines.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Chief Human Resources Officer.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Liz Frost
Interim Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Titleix@mcla.edu
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Salary : $15
