Description of a Peer Advisor

Peer Advisors are a select group University of Virginia second-, third-, and fourth-year students chosen to serve as mentors and advisors to the entering class of first-year and transfers students throughout their first-year at the University.

All Peer Advisors undergo an extensive training to ensure they are prepared to assist entering students with common issues faced by new students to the University.

Qualifications

• Returning full-time students that will be on Grounds in the Fall semester following your appointment. (If you will be studying abroad in the Fall semester after your appointment, you will not be considered for a Peer Advisor Position)
• Good academic standing (minimum GPA 2.80)
• Committed to working with a diverse group of peers, as well as entering students
• Willingness to share time, talents, energy, and knowledge with students in the entering class
• Passionate about helping students acclimate socially, academically and psychologically
• Desire to be a trained helper

Expected Time Commitment (see tentative schedule)

Peer Advising is a year-long commitment of time and energy, beginning in the spring semester of your appointment, continuing through the summer months and throughout the academic year.

Spring Semester

Attend and participate in all Spring Orientation workshop activities

 

Spring Semester

Remain in consistent communication contact with students assigned to you, using Program checklists to keep you on task Attend Mid-year Retreat, Harambee II and New Peer Advisor Orientation Attend at least two (2) Raising the Bar Workshops, including one of the Raising the Bar Kick-Off event at the beginning of the semester. Furnished required reports and checklists in a timely fashion Attend the 1-hour Mandatory Monthly Meeting on the third Monday on every month at 7:00pm Actively engage in the work of your chosen Program Committee Enroll in EDHS 3895 Peer Counseling Theory and Skills course offered through the Curry School (for first-time Peer Advisors) Remain in consistent communication contact with students assigned to you, using Program checklists to keep you on task Attend and participate in the Office of African-American Affairs Welcoming Reception and Harambee I Attend the requisite number of Raising the Bar Workshops, including one of the Raising the Bar Kick-Off events at the beginning of the semester Furnished required reports and checklists in a timely fashion
Attend all of the one-hour Monthly Meeting on the third Monday on every month at 7:00 pm Actively engage in the work of your chosen Program Committee

Fall Semester

Summer

Begin reaching out to entering students via mail and other social networking outlets Complete any tasks assigned by the Chair(s) of your chosen Program Committee Attend and participate in all Fall Orientation workshop activities

 

Benefits

• Gain extensive knowledge of University resources
• Develop transferable interpersonal skills
• Develop leadership skills
• Become a recognized student leader on Grounds
• Build lifelong relationships with members of the student body
• Project RISE Gold certification (after year one)
• Project RISE Platinum Certification (optional after year two, with more intensive training)

Requirements for Application and Acceptance       

In addition to biographical data, typed thorough applications should be completed and submitted by the application deadline. The quality of the essay responses is crucial in the selections process.

All new Peer Advisors are required to enroll in Peer Counseling Theory and Skills (EDHS 3895) in the fall semester of their first year of Peer Advising, if they have not taken the course already.