GOING GLOBAL FYS PROGRAM NEEDS STUDENT MENTORS FOR FALL 2014 SEMESTER

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) student mentors assist faculty members by serving as advisers to first-year students on the transition into university life and as academic tutors in one of the Going Global First-Year Seminar sections in the fall 2014. Each mentor acts as a liaison between the student and instructor and helps to build a “Class of 2018” community.

Student mentors must attend all classes of their assigned course during the fall 2014 term (Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2 to 3 p.m.), and assist the instructor to develop and maintain academic interest and enthusiasm. Student mentors also support the instructor in designing and delivering out-of-class learning experiences, are available for student consultation outside of class hours, and lead at least three class discussions or exercises on topics approved by the mentor and instructor.
To apply, you must be a sophomore, junior or senior with an overall GPA of at least a “B.” You must possess excellent leadership and interpersonal skills. Student mentors must complete mandatory training in social transition and academic tutoring techniques on a weekend during the spring 2014 semester.

Student FYS mentors will receive a $1,050 stipend, an iPad for the fall 2014 semester and all required books for the assigned section. The three-part application includes: letters of recommendation from at least two faculty members (if you have been an FYS mentor before, one letter must be from your FYS professor); a one-page letter addressed to the FYS committee explaining why you want to be a student mentor and what qualifies for you for the position; and a creative, one-minute iMovie that demonstrates what makes you awesome and unique.

Application materials are due by Friday, Jan. 31, and incomplete applications will not be accepted. All recommendation letters and application letters should be emailed to Jo Strader at jstrader@su.edu or submitted in person in Henkel Hall, Room 206. iMovies should be submitted on a jump drive or disc with your name on it, or include a YouTube link to your iMovie.

The list of mentors will be announced no later than February 2014. For more information on application guidelines, contact Director of General Education/Going Global First-Year Seminar Amy Sarch, Ph.D., at asarch@su.edu or 540/542-6534. The recommendation letter form will be available online by Friday, Dec. 13. This form is also available by contacting Sarch.