New Student Programs Position Descriptions and Expectations
The Office of New Student Programs is selecting Orientation Leaders (OLs), NEST Pre-Arrival Leaders (NLs), Freshman Seminar Peer Mentors (PMs), and Transfer Peer Mentors (TPMs) to represent the University of Mary Washington for New Student Orientation, the NEST Pre-Arrival Program, New Student Welcome, and throughout the Fall semester. These selective positions will serve UMW by helping welcome incoming students and guests to campus. Orientation Leaders serve as mentors through the summer orientation process and then transition into FSEM Peer Mentors in the fall semester by serving as a resource and helping students adjust to college life. NEST Leaders serve the incoming students who attend the NEST program, helping them acclimate to campus prior to the rest of the incoming class joining for New Student Welcome Activities.
Requirements
Orientation Leader: Spring/Summer 2023
- Must attend weekly trainings Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 6:00pm every week after Spring Break
- Must attend Summer trainings in May and June
- Must work June orientation
- Must work August Orientation session
Peer Mentoring: Fall 2023
- Must attend 1-day May training (date forthcoming)
- Must attend August training and New Student Welcome
- Attendance at bi-weekly meetings (FSEM Peer Mentors) or attendance at Transfer Services meetings (Transfer Peer Mentors)
- Communication with first-year seminar professor (FSEM Peer Mentors only)
- Creation of multiple events to foster FSEM or Transfer student engagement
- Multiple readings as assigned
NEST Leader: Fall 2023
- Must attend 1-day May training (date forthcoming)
- Must attend August training
- Must work NEST Program
Additional Commitment
- Must abide by state and university policies
- Must sign and abide by the rules of a behavior contract
- Must be in good academic (2.25 GPA requirement) and judicial standing at the time of application through the end of the position commitment
- OL: Cannot have outside employment during summer training & orientation sessions and cannot be registered for summer classes without prior approval from the Orientation professional staff
- Peer Mentor: Cannot have outside employment during August training and New Student Welcome
- NEST Leader: Cannot have outside employment during August training and NEST program
- Study abroad may be approved for short periods during employment on a case-by-case basis. Please confer with New Student Programs leadership.
Expectations
- Be a role model for incoming students
- Represent the University of Mary Washington and the Office of New Student Programs as it relates to the Community Values
- Be professional, dependable, responsible, energetic, flexible, and punctual
Orientation Leader Benefits
- Orientation Leaders receive a stipend after the completion of duties in the summer. Current stipend amounts are in negotiation and will be published soon.
- On-campus housing during summer training and Orientation sessions
- Meals provided during summer training, Orientation sessions
- Receive staff t-shirts, water bottle, polos, quarter zips, and other Orientation items
- Receive a unique student leadership opportunity
- Meet and interact with a variety of University faculty and staff
FSEM Peer Mentor and Transfer Peer Mentor Benefits
- Peer Mentors receive a stipend for the semester which is paid out on a biweekly basis during the Fall semester. Current stipend amounts are in negotiation and will be published soon.
- Early move-in for on-campus students
- Meals provided during August training
- 1 academic credit that will be applied as Experiential Learning credit
- Receive a unique student leadership opportunity
- Meet and interact with a variety of University faculty and staff
Application/Interviews:
There will be two separate application processes: one for returners and one for new applicants.
For new applicants:
- Applications for new applicants will be posted on myUMW from Friday, October 21st 2022
- If you are selected, there will be two rounds of interviews:
- The first interview will be a group interview to take place early in the Spring Semester
- Following a positive group interview, you will then be asked to sign up for an Individual Interview time slot during the Spring semester.
For returning applicants:
- Applications will be posted on myUMW from October 7th through October 21st
- If your application is selected you will be contacted to sign up for an Individual Interview time slot.