By Elena Rowe//
Preparations for orientation for the fall semester have already started.
With Sarah Tansits, interim director of Student Engagement and Orientation, in charge of orientation for the fall, the role of orientation assistants (OAs) has changed a bit.
Previously, OAs would serve as leaders for the new first-year students, leading discussions, activities and programs over four days during the week before the semester began. Now, the orientation assistants roles have changed to an orientation peer mentor.
According to the job description that was emailed to students on March 8, an orientation peer mentor is an undergraduate student who leads and mentors a group of approximately 15-25 first-year or transfer students throughout orientation and their first academic year at Hood College.
Tansits says that this will be a great opportunity for students.
“Orientation isn’t just for four days; it’s a gradual process that lasts throughout the first year,” Tansits said. “Research has shown that when students have a peer mentor or year-long orientation guide, the new students feel more connected to the school, more connected to their peers and retention rates increase.”
In addition to the four orientation days in August, peer mentors will be required to participate in peer mentoring training once a week in April, May and August 12-18. Mentors will also be required to contact assigned mentees over the summer prior to the fall orientation, providing guidance and support through email, Zoom, phone conversations and social media.
“I hope students gain leadership skills, transferable skills, build relationships and lifelong friendships,” Tansits said. “This is an important role for students to fulfill because without them, there wouldn’t be a successful orientation. Bringing first year and transfer students and fully orienting them on campus needs a team and needs student leaders. Peer mentors will guide these new students through their first year at Hood College.”
Tansits is excited to welcome new students in the fall and see how the orientation team grows in leadership skills and styles.
In addition to working with their assigned mentees throughout the school year, peer mentors can expect to:
- Receive a stipend of $500
- Receive a peer mentor T-shirt
- Receive free meals during orientation
- Develop crucial leadership and mentorship skills
- Have a significant impact on incoming college students
The interviews will take place April 7- April 12. If you have any questions, contact Sarah Tansits at tansits@hood.edu
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