Student Hourly- Peer Academic Coach
Position Overview
Center for Learning and Writing Support offers a portfolio of collaborative, innovative academic support programs and services to students, faculty, and staff. The Wingspan provides individual and group support through its Peer Academic Coaching program, Supplemental Instruction (SI) program, Learning and Tutoring Services, and Writing Center Services. The Wingspan is a part of the University Academic Support Centers (UASC), a comprehensive student support program consisting of two unique centers designed to strengthen the academic skills and written communication of students at the University of Kansas. UASC supports the University’s commitment to the academic success and holistic development of students. UASC programs encourage student participation both in and out of the classroom, support academic and personal development, and link students to other campus and community resources for academic and personal support and development. University Academic Support Centers is a department within Academic Affairs.
Our Peer Academic Coaches will offer in-person and online academic coaching appointments, facilitate small-group accountability sessions (body doubling) to empower all students at the University of Kansas. Conversations are focused on building better study skills, consistent life habits, and connecting to campus resources.
Our Peer Academic Coaches will offer in-person and online academic coaching appointments, facilitate small-group accountability sessions (body doubling) to empower all students at the University of Kansas. Conversations are focused on building better study skills, consistent life habits, and connecting to campus resources.
Job Description
As a Peer Academic Coach, you will:
- Conduct in-person and virtual (via Zoom) coaching appointments with students to develop academic beliefs, behaviors, and habits related to studying, managing self and time, reading, and more.
- Connect and refer students to other campus resources.
- Attend and participate in regular peer coaching training, team meetings, and professional development opportunities.
- Create a safe environment for peer coaching.
- Facilitate small group accountability sessions (body doubling) to peers requesting this support.
- Support students in preparing for upcoming exams or projects and building good study skills or techniques.
- Support with outreach efforts not limited to tabling at events, emailing, making phone calls to students, making flyers, etc. during down times.
- Other tasks as assigned.
Peer Academic Coaches meet with their students at varying times throughout the week, depending on the format of the coaching sessions. For body doubling sessions, peer coaches meet twice per week at set times between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. (may include weekends) in assigned locations on the KU Lawrence campus or online via Zoom. For each of the body doubling sessions, coaches must be available for 1 to 1.5 hours. For individual coaching meetings, peer coaches are available at set times during the week and meet with students who schedule an appointment at a given time during their shift. Other coaching arrangements may be made through coordination with the professional staff who oversee our peer coaches. All peer coaches must attend training and professional development opportunities at various times in the semester. Peer coaches are strongly encouraged to pursue the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) Certification for peer educators.
Required Qualifications
- Must be a University of Kansas student enrolled in at least 6 hours.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and be in good academic standing.
- Must be an undergraduate student at KU.
- Understand and believe in the mission of the Writing and Learning Center as evident of application material.
- Exhibit empathy, responsibility, positive attitude, confidence, flexibility, team orientation, strong energy levels, and excellent communication skills as evident of application material.
- Relate well with student and faculty/staff.
- Able to give and receive constructive feedback.
- Demonstrate a desire to learn, grow and foster a sense of community among peers.
- Be organized and strive to be role models to peers as evident of application material.
- Demonstrate a willingness to develop self-awareness and build teamwork and helping skills.
- Understanding of students with diverse needs, interests, and abilities.
- One faculty or instructor or staff member, who can speak to your ability as someone with empathic skills, organization, communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Coaching or Mentoring experience.
- Ability to speak multiple languages.
Additional Candidate Instructions
This is a pool position for the Fall 2024 semester, and the review of applications is ongoing, hires will be made throughout the posting period. Cover letters are optional (not required).
Application deadline is Friday May 17th, at 11:59 PM
Contact Information to Applicants
Bhargavi Krishnan
Student Program Coordinator for Peer Academic Coaching
Wingspan: Center for Learning and Writing Support
bkrishnan@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$12 per hour