Academic Programs > For Current Undergrads > AGNR Peer Mentors > Peer Mentor Application Information
Peer Mentor Announcement
AGNR Peer Mentors - Call for Applications
(DEADLINE: August 31, 2009)
The AGNR Peer Mentors, a student-staffed advising resource for undergraduates in the college, is seeking applicants for its Fall 2009 class. Basic requirements are a) 45- 65 cumulative credits (excluding AP) with at least 30 earned in residence at UM and b) a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, the Mentors seek applicants who are "engaged" in one or more other aspects of university life - study abroad, research, internships, organizations, sports, etc.; that is, they want students who know how to manage time and make the best use of all that UM has to offer!
What would I be doing as a Peer Mentor?
Peer Mentors serve as teaching assistants for UNIV 100 (AGNR will attempt to open five sections for Fall 2009). They also staff the Mentor office approximately 2 hours/week during each regular term. In the Spring semester, when UNIV is not offered, the office hours increase slightly. During office hours, you will have walk-in appointments with freshmen and sophomores in the college. You will help them become familiar with registration procedures (VENUS and Testudo), show them how to use Degree Navigator, assist them with preparation of their 4-year academic plan, and explain their progress to degree benchmarks. You will work with them in subsequent semesters to pre-select courses and build tentative schedules, print academic audits, and otherwise prepare for their regular faculty advising appointments. You may be asked to refer students to various campus services from Learning Assistance to Career Center to tutoring services.
What do I get for my work?
You will find this experience immensely satisfying as you help new students find their way in our large university. You will develop leadership skills as you contribute to the building of a course syllabus and participate actively in the teaching program. You will establish new relationships with both students and faculty/administrators in the college (good source of reference letters when you are ready to apply for graduate school, professional school, or that first job). The service will stand out on your resume. And, just to give you something each term that's a little more tangible, you will be paid for approximately 4 hours/week each term! A final item -- for those Mentors who serve both junior and senior year, there is an additional special recognition at the graduation ceremony.
I'm interested. What do I do next?
- Interested students should obtain, complete and submit a mentor application form. (available in the Academic Programs office, 0107 Symons Hall)
- With the application, submit a short essay, 300-500 words, describing a) why you wish to be a mentor and b) what special skills/talents you have which you think will enhance your capacity to serve as a mentor.
- Respond to one of the following: a) describe an instance when you mentored or advised another student, or b) describe a problem you encountered early in your college career and how you resolved it.
- After initial screening of applications, a group will be selected for interview, and from that group a class of 4-5 mentors for Academic Year 2009-10 will be chosen.
If chosen, the following are the “duties”:
- Enroll in EDUC388 (3 cr) and EDCI499 (1 cr) for Fall 2009. EDUC388 is a course in teaching which can be used for CORE Advanced Studies; EDCI is a seminar that is satisfied while you are working in the UNIV100 classroom as a UTA.
- Attend a single, half-day training session just prior to the beginning of the Fall semester.
- Commit two hours per week to service in the Peer Mentoring Office (in Symons)
- Participate in one of AGNR's sections of UNIV100 as an undergraduate TA.
- For Spring term, when no UNIV100 sections are offered in AGNR, commit to increased hours/week in the Mentoring Office plus participate in the recruiting and selection of the next class of mentors.
- Meet regularly with the Assistant Dean for Academic Programs
If you are interested or need additional information, contact Dr. Ray Stricklin in 0107 Symons. If you are ready to apply, the application form is available as either a Word document or PDF.
**Agricultural and Resource Economics, Environmental Science and Technology, Landscape Architecture, and Plant Science students are especially encouraged to apply**
For more information, contact Dr. Ray Stricklin
Last updated: 08/25/2009