2020-2021 Undergraduate Assistant Application

Position Description
Undergraduate Assistants provide direct peer leadership to the W. H. Thompson Scholars mentor team. Supporting mentors as they guide first-year students through the transition from high school to college, Undergraduate Assistants role model positive leadership behaviors and act as a link, alerting staff members to serious problems in which intervention is necessary. In addition to gaining experience in programming, peer supervision, and personal leadership growth, Undergraduate Assistants contribute to the successful functioning of the W. H.  Thompson Scholars community by staffing events and serving as peer guides to first-year and second-year scholars during peak advising times. Undergraduate Assistants need to commit up to 7 hours a week to their role. 

(Applications are due Saturday, February 8, 2020 by 11:59 pm)


Duties

  • Provide peer leadership within the W. H.  Thompson Scholars community via direct mentorship of the peer mentors. This duty includes conducting monthly individual meetings with a group of approximately twelve assigned mentors to discuss best practices and job challenges.
  • Meet monthly with a Program Coordinator and Assistant Director for direct supervision.
  • Connect peer mentors to resources and campus and community involvements that can positively impact their mentees.
  • Create and maintain a weekly peer mentor newsletter.
  • Staff designated office hours, a minimum of 1 hour per week, in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center.
  • Help coordinate and facilitate peer mentor trainings including: four-day retreat in August 2020, two-day retreat in January 2021, and monthly group trainings on Friday afternoons throughout each semester.
  • Spend time getting to know W. H. Thompson Scholars through various interactions during the academic year.
  • Staff W. H.  Thompson Scholars meetings and work events as assigned

 

Expectations

  • Meet weekly with undergraduate assistant team for planning time (recommend 1-1.5 hours).
  • Coordinate and design training content for each of the monthly peer mentor trainings.
  • Co-develop and lead a training session during the August and January retreats.
  • Partner with a Program Coordinator to plan and execute monthly 1st Year Community Dinners.

 

Required Events
Mentors must commit their attendance at the following:

Training Retreats

  • Fall retreat August 17 – August 20, 2020 (4 full days at Camp Carol Joy Holling)
  • William H. Thompson faculty retreat lunch – August 21, 2020
  • Spring retreat January 2021 (Dates TBA)  


Monthly Trainings
All Monthly Trainings are on Friday afternoons from 3:00 – 5:00 pm.

Trainings will be held in:

  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April  
 

First-Year Scholar Community Events

  • Community Dinners are once a month on Wednesdays from 5:00 – 8:00 pm.
  • Saturday, August 22 First-Year Orientation (All Day)
  • All other community dinner dates will be announced  


Qualifications

  • Third+ year as a W. H.  Thompson scholar who has previously served at least one year as a W. H. Thompson Peer Mentor
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 to apply
  • Full time enrollment at UNL

 

Desired Characteristics

  • Proven leadership experience
  • Ability to mentor peers and provide holistic support through intentional relationship building
  • Responsibility, flexibility, reliability, and maturity
  • Ability to think quickly, strategically, and discreetly in emergency situations
  • Levelheadedness and patience
  • Ability to think logistically and problem solve
  • Ability to work on diverse teams and communicate promptly and clearly
  • Strong interpersonal skills, a warm and non-judgmental attitude
  • Strong academic skills, including study skills, time management, and organization
  • A desire to contribute to the success of other students and the W. H.  Thompson community
  • A thorough knowledge of UNL, its campuses, resources and opportunities
  • Ability to work with and support individuals with differing values, beliefs and backgrounds

 

Benefits

  • Hourly pay
  • Personal and professional development
  • Leadership growth; impact upon your colleagues, community, and campus   
 
Next Steps
  • Individual Interviews: February 17 - February 24, 2020
  • Mentor Team Meet and Greet: April 17, 2020 (3:00 - 5:00 pm)
 
Questions/Concerns? Please contact Ashlee Young, Assistant Director, William H. Thompson Scholars Learning Community
Email: ayoung8@unl.edu