First- Peer Mentor; study or student assistant

Position: First-Year Experience Peer Mentor (work study or student assistant)
Job Title First-Year Experience Peer Mentor (work study or student assistant) Position Summary

The First-Year Experience (FYE) Peer Mentor is a trained undergraduate student leader who supports first-year students as they transition to Texas Wesleyan University. FYE Peer Mentors serve as peer connectors, role models, and community-builders, helping new students navigate campus life, build confidence and engage meaningfully in the University community.

FYE Peer Mentors work closely with professional FYE staff and serve as an extension of the First-Year Experience team by reinforcing expectations, encouraging participation, and fostering a sense of belonging among first-year students. This role balances student-facing engagement with behind-the scenes coordination, documentation and follow-up to help ensure that first-year students receive consistent, timely and student-centered support throughout the academic year.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

* Supports peer-to-peer engagement with assigned first-year students through welcoming conversations, timely check-ins, outreach, reminders and follow-up that encourage participation, belonging and help-seeking.

* Assists with planning, setup, facilitation and clean-up for FYE social/community-building experiences, academic study tables, FYE events and other required or recommended student engagement activities.

* Helps FYE staff maintain accurate records related to student contact, event attendance, engagement, outreach attempts and basic follow-up notes using approved university systems and documentation practices.

* Provides day-to-day logistical and administrative support, including preparing materials, organizing supplies, sending reminders, supporting communication campaigns and helping maintain welcoming FYE spaces.

* Connects students to appropriate campus resources by sharing general information, encouraging use of support services and notifying professional staff when a student may need additional follow-up or a warm handoff.

* Models positive student leadership, professional communication, inclusive behavior, confidentiality and commitment to the RAMily values when interacting with students, families, faculty, staff and campus partners.

* Participates in required training, team meetings, supervision, reflection and program assessment activities to strengthen the quality and consistency of the FYE student experience.

* Other duties as assigned by the Director of First-Year Experience or assigned FYE professional staff member.

* Serving as a welcoming and approachable peer connection for first-year students as they

navigate their first year at TXWES.

* Supporting the FYE team in delivering consistent engagement experiences across ASE/FYE

course sections and first-year caseloads.

Position-specific responsibilities include:

* Helping students feel comfortable using campus resources, attending programs, asking for help and building relationships with peers and staff.

* Providing practical support for student communication, event logistics, documentation and

follow-up so FYE professional staff can maintain timely touchpoints with students.

* Communicating concerns, patterns or barriers to assigned professional staff while maintaining

appropriate confidentiality and boundaries.

Education, Certifications and/or Licenses Experience

* Must be a current Texas Wesleyan University undergraduate student in good academic and conduct standing.

* Successful completion of at least one academic year at TXWES as a full-time, degree-seeking student by the start of employment is required.

* Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75.

* Prior experience in peer mentoring, student leadership, orientation, tutoring, campus employment, student organizations, customer service or community engagement is preferred.

* Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, faculty and campus partners.

* Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise good judgment and refer student concerns to professional staff when appropriate.

* Availability to attend required training, team meetings and FYE events, including occasional evening or weekend programming as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of:

* The first-year student transition experience and common challenges faced by new college students.

* Texas Wesleyan University campus resources, student services and engagement opportunities, or willingness to learn them quickly.

* Basic principles of inclusive peer support, belonging, respectful communication and student-centered service.

* Appropriate boundaries for peer support, including when to refer students to professional staff or campus resources.

* Basic office practices, event support, email communication and documentation expectations.

Skill in:

* Building rapport with students and creating a welcoming environment for new first-year students.

* Communicating clearly, professionally and warmly in person, by email and through other approved communication channels.

* Managing multiple tasks, deadlines…