Transcript Peer Leader Program - Missouri State University

Why Be a Peer Leader?
The Peer Leader Program has the
potential to impact the greatest
number of students in our most
vulnerable population: first-year
students.
Ask our panel of experts why they became
Peer Leaders!
What Do Peer Leaders Do?
 Work closely with the instructor and students in GEP 101
(First Year Foundations)
 Serve as a resource/mentor for students
 Offer assistance to the instructor. This may include:
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Teaching lessons
Answering questions
Leading activities/discussions
Coordinating guest speakers
Lead library or campus tours
 Develop leadership skills while helping first-year students
make the transition to university life!
What is GEP 101?
 Our new first-year seminar!
 Emphasizes our Public Affairs mission and facilitates
students’ successful transition to the university.
 2 credit hours, 2 sessions per week
 Includes a common reader, based on the PA theme
 Numerous special sections of the course. E.g.,
service learning and learning communities; college
themed sections; e.g., College of Health and Human
Services, Agriculture, College of Arts & Letters; &
more!
Service Learning Classes
 Some GEP 101 sections include service-learning:
 Brings the Community Engagement aspect of the Public
Affairs Mission to the classroom
 Participate with the class and the instructor in 12 hours
of a community service project during the semester
 These classes offer a unique experience for students
and Peer Leaders to gain “real-world” experience,
improve personal development skills, work with
people from diverse backgrounds, and positively
impact the community.
Curricular Learning Communities
 Learning communities are classes which are linked with
one or two other courses, such as ENG 110 or COM 115, PSY
121, REL 100, SOC 150, etc.
 Greater sense of community and connection in the
classroom
 Experiential learning experiences
 Integrated learning projects
 Lasting faculty relationships
 Participation in co-curricular activities
Themed/special sections of GEP 101
 Multiple sections associated with college/majors:
 Biomedical Science/health profession interests
 Natural and applied science
 Agriculture majors
 Theatre
 Undeclared majors, and much more….
What does a typical day in the life
of a peer leader look like?
Let’s ask our panel of experts!
Requirements
 Cumulative GPA of 3.0 (no exceptions!)
 Enrollment in IDS 310, a 1 credit hour course for
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leadership instruction/Peer Leader support
Completion of Peer Leader training
Good interpersonal and communication skills
Strong work ethic
High standards for ethics and integrity
Respect for the University and its students, faculty, and
staff
Desire to serve others
Expectations: Varies by instructor, but
generally:
 Be prepared to lead icebreakers and teach lessons
 Be able to educate students about campus resources
 Facilitate classroom discussions
 Meet with instructor on regular basis for planning
 E-mail students who miss class
 Take attendance
 Attend all classes (GEP 101 and Peer Leader class)
 Maintain confidentiality
 Willingness to serve as a positive role model both
inside and outside the classroom
So Peer Leaders help first-year
students. What’s in it for me?
 Become a respected leader on campus
 Earn 1 credit hour for IDS 310 at no additional cost
 Make friends and share ideas with fellow Peer Leaders
 Have a rockin’ resume!
 Make a difference in the lives of students
 Peer Leader Jackets!
Panel of Experts…anything to add?
I want in the dream!
What’s the application
process?
Step #1
Fill out an application!
 The application is online
http://www.missouristate.edu/FirstYearPro
grams/12706.htm
 Applications must be TYPED and are due to
University Hall Room 205 NO LATER
THAN Friday, March 4 at 5 p.m.
Step #2
Find 2 Faculty/Staff members to fill out a
reference form for you!
 NOT an RA, NOT a Peer Leader, NOT your best friend!
 These can also be found online at the same website listed
above.
 It is YOUR responsibility to get these forms turned in—
don’t ask instructors to fill them out the day before they’re
due!
 Your reference forms are due to University Hall Room 205
NO LATER THAN Friday, March 4 at 5 p.m.
Step #3
Attend Peer Leader Carousel!
 This is our interview process for Peer Leader
recruitment.
 You MUST attend carousel to become a Peer
Leader!
 Carousel date: Sunday, March 20 from 1:00-
4:30pm, PSU 3rd floor
 Remember, this is an interview process! Dress to
impress!
Step #4
The hard part is over…now you wait!
 We will send out Peer Leader offers by Friday, April 1
 You will get one of the following responses:
 You have been selected to be a Peer Leader for the
2010-2011 academic year!
 You have been selected as an alternate.
 You have not been selected this year, but please
apply again next year!
Step #5
Peer Leader Training
You must be available on Saturday,
April 16 for our Peer Leader
training
 9 am to 1 pm in Strong Hall 202
Any
questions for
our panel of
experts?