You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.
Email

OAI Academic Success Mentor

The Stacey Nicholas Office of Outreach, Access and Inclusion (OAI) in the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences (ICS) invites applications for undergraduate OAI Academic Success Mentors.

Academic Success Mentors support students in lower-division ICS courses through individualized academic support, peer mentoring, proactive follow-up, workshops, and connections to additional resources.

The OAI Academic Success Program is designed to be more than a one-time tutoring service. Mentors build relationships with students, help them strengthen problem-solving and learning strategies, and follow up to see how they are progressing and whether they need additional support.

About OAI

OAI works to expand access, strengthen student success, and foster an inclusive environment throughout ICS. Our programs support students academically, professionally, and socially while helping them build community and persist toward graduation.

What You'll Do

Academic Support

Provide individualized support for lower-division ICS courses, including:

  • ICS 31, 32, and 33
  • ICS 45C and 46
  • ICS 6B and 6D
  • Other courses based on program needs and mentor expertise

Mentors will:

  • Help students understand course concepts.
  • Guide students through problem-solving, debugging, testing, and code-reading strategies.
  • Reinforce effective study and learning habits.
  • Help students become more confident and independent learners.
  • Create a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable asking for help.

Student Follow-Up and Mentoring

Academic Success Mentors are expected to build ongoing relationships with the students they support.

Mentors will:

  • Check in with students after academic support sessions when appropriate.
  • Ask how students are progressing and whether previous strategies were helpful.
  • Encourage students to return before academic challenges become more difficult.
  • Help students identify next steps and additional support they may need.
  • Connect students with faculty, TAs, academic advising, or other campus resources when appropriate.

The goal is for students to experience the Academic Success Program as a network of people invested in their success, not simply a place to get help with an assignment.

Outreach and Student Engagement

Mentors will also help OAI increase awareness and utilization of the Academic Success Program by:

  • Designing and implementing outreach strategies that encourage students to seek academic help early.
  • Promoting the program in classrooms, student organizations, the OAI Hub, and other student spaces.
  • Helping normalize academic support as a regular part of succeeding in computing courses.
  • Gathering student feedback about barriers to seeking help.
  • Recommending strategies to increase participation.

Academic Success Mentors serve as peer ambassadors for academic success within ICS.

Workshops and Program Support

Mentors may also:

  • Help develop and facilitate workshops on debugging, Git/GitHub, code review, code optimization, testing, and other technical skills.
  • Develop study guides, learning resources, and practice materials.
  • Identify common academic challenges students are experiencing.
  • Participate in mentor meetings and training.
  • Provide feedback to help OAI improve the Academic Success Program.

Expected Commitment

  • Pay Rate: $22.14/hour
  • Hours: Approximately 10–15 hours per week
  • Start Date: Fall Quarter

Hours will typically include direct student support, student follow-up, preparation, outreach, workshops, and program meetings.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

Applicants should:

  • Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in ICS.
  • Have successfully completed several lower-division ICS courses.
  • Have earned at least a B in courses they are interested in supporting.
  • Have an overall GPA of approximately 3.0 or higher.
  • Be comfortable explaining technical concepts to other students.
  • Be patient, reliable, approachable, and professional.
  • Have strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Be willing to proactively engage and follow up with students.
  • Be able to work effectively with students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous teaching, tutoring, mentoring, or peer-support experience.
  • Experience as a learning assistant, teaching assistant, discussion leader, or student organization leader.
  • Strong debugging and problem-solving skills.
  • Interest in education, mentoring, outreach, or student success.

Previous formal tutoring experience is not required.

What You'll Gain

Academic Success Mentors will gain experience in:

  • Teaching and technical communication
  • Peer mentoring
  • Leadership
  • Workshop facilitation
  • Student outreach
  • Program development

How to Apply

Please submit your application through Handshake and include:

  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Unofficial transcript

Applicants may be asked to identify the courses they feel most comfortable supporting and participate in a short interview or academic support demonstration.

Questions may be directed to OAI Director Vinh Luong at vinh.luong@uci.edu with “OAI Academic Success Mentor” in the subject line.