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

SSI Peer Mentor 2025-26

UC Irvine - Student Success Initiatives
Email

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to provide first-gen and/or low-income students the opportunity to make the best possible academic and social transition to life at UCI. Students earn UCI credit and get a head start working towards their degree while meeting other new students, staff and faculty. After the summer, scholars receive additional benefits throughout the academic year including: personalized guidance, priority enrollment, tutoring scholarships, and skill and community-building workshops aimed at helping them thrive at UCI.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

Peer Mentors are a crucial support system for our first-year freshmen students as they transition into UCI. Through one-on-one meetings, Peer Mentors develop trusting relationships with students to help them gain confidence and feel empowered as they learn to navigate collegiate life. Peer Mentors help their mentees develop effective study strategies and life skills, accomplish their goals, become involved on campus, and feel a sense of belonging at UCI. Peer mentors have an understanding of working and serving a diverse student population with a focus on first generation and low-income students.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Peer Mentors will:

  • Guide and advocate for first-generation and/or low income students
  • Coordinate meetings with mentee(s) to provide them with the essential tools on: how to effectively utilize campus resources and be involved, time management, study skills, and developing and achieving goals
  • Develop and maintain meaningful relationships with their mentee(s)
  • Share personal knowledge and experiences with students during one-on-one's or in group settings
  • Organize and coordinate community/social events
  • Maintain consistent communication with mentee(s), team members, supervisor, staff, and faculty

 

REQUIREMENTS

  • Attend weekly team meetings
    • DREAM Scholars: Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Summer Bridge: Tuesdays 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Attend and participate in mandatory SSI Peer Mentor Training (dates are set for Sept 15, 2025 - Sept 19, 2025 9am-4pm. In-person participation will be required.
  • Commit to the position for the 2025-2026 academic school year (September 2025 - June 2026)
  • Complete the required Employment Eligibility Verification (I-9). This requires you to provide documents verifying your eligibility to work in the USA.

 

PREFERRED

  • Have a junior or senior standing during the 2025-2026 academic year 
  • 3.00 GPA at the time of application. If GPA is lower, please use the cover letter to explain why and what steps you are taking to improve. 

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

DREAM Scholars is a collaborative program between the Student Success Initiatives and the DREAM Center at UCI. Our mission is to support the transitional and navigational journeys of undocumented students. Our primary goal is to promote holistic development and increase retention by connecting students with campus and community resources, helping them build community, and equipping them with tools to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals. We want our students to thrive at UCI and beyond. Visit our website for more information.

 

Summer Bridge Program:  Summer Bridge is a year-long cohort model designed to provide incoming UCI students an opportunity to make the best possible academic and social transition from high school to college. Peer Mentors are a crucial support system for our first-year freshmen students. Through one-on-one meetings, Peer Mentors develop trusting relationships with students to help them gain confidence and feel empowered as they learn to navigate collegiate life. Peer Mentors help their mentees develop effective study strategies and life skills, accomplish their goals, become involved on campus, and feel a sense of belonging at UCI. Peer Mentors also help with additional administrative tasks like planning social events, attending meetings, and other tasks as assigned. Note: This position is for the regular academic year; excludes Summer FSSP RA Position.

 

To apply please complete an online application and submit a  RESUME, COVER LETTER, and SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS ANSWERS by March 7th 11:59pm. 

 

COVER LETTER INSTRUCTIONS

In your cover letter, please address why you are interested in working with these student populations. Additionally, share about your background and/or experiences with these populations as well as your knowledge of their respective needs. Finally, please rank DREAM Scholars and Summer Bridge in order of your preference from 1 to 2 (1 being your most preferred and 2 being your least preferred). If you are not interested in a particular program, please leave it unranked. Please make sure to review the program descriptions before assigning your ranks.  

 

Helpful Resume and Cover Letter templates