What is a Peer Leader?
Peer Leaders are students chosen to work with First Seminar professors to assist the transition of students to Allegheny College. A Peer Leader is the first person to greet new students when they arrive on campus for Orientation and then works with those same students in the First Seminar.
Criteria for a Peer Leader
Peer Leaders are expected:
- to be interested in working with first-year students in the context of orientation and FS 101.
- to be in good standing with Allegheny College and exhibited behaviors of a responsible member of the Allegheny community.
- to have completed two or more semesters of full time academic work at Allegheny.
- to demonstrate effective learning strategies (e.g., class participation, timely completion of work, seeking assistance when needed).
- to provide evidence of significant involvement in student organizations, athletic teams, honor societies, music or theater, community service, or other activities.
- to exhibit knowledge of campus resources.
- to be willing and able to serve as an appropriate role model to incoming students.
Benefits of Being a Peer Leader
A Peer Leader receives the following compensation:
- Payment for participation in training.
- Room and board during training and orientation.
- The possibility of receiving academic credit ranging from 2-4 hours depending on an instructor's needs for the course and the Peer Leader's interest in receiving credit. Credit is negotiated with the faculty member with whom the Peer Leader is working.
- Documented leadership experience for inclusion on a resume.
Timeline of Activities
- Applications for Peer Leader are due to the Learning Commons by March 13.
- FS 101 instructors will receive a list of students interested in serving as Peer Leaders in their course by Friday, March 27, 2009.
- FS 101 instructors will complete selection of Peer Leaders by April 10 and forward the names of the Peer Leaders for their course to Keri Fadden.
- Applicants are notified of their selection status by April 17.
- Peer Leaders meet on the first Study Day, April 29.
- In July, Peer Leaders send a welcome letter to assigned students in their FS 101.
- Peer Leaders can move in on Wednesday, August 19, 2009.
- Attend Peer Leader training August 20-21.
- Peer Leaders participate in Orientation August 22-26.
- Additional expectations are set by the FS101 instructor.
