First Year Experience Peer Mentor
Cincinnati, OH - USA
Job Summary
Employer: Mount St. Joseph University 5701 Delhi Rd. Cincinnati OH 45233
Department: First-Year Experience
Status: Non-Exempt
Supervisor Contact Information: Kathryn Mitchell 513.300.4328
Pay Rate & Evaluation: This is not an hourly position. Compensation for Peer Mentoring will be once a semester stipend processed by MSJ payroll after all job responsibilities are performed at the end of each semester (summer fall and spring).
Program Summary
The First-Year Experience (FYE) Peer Mentor Program supports new students during orientation Welcome Weekend and throughout their first year at the institution. Peer Mentors serve as guides role models and connectors helping new students build confidence community and awareness of campus resources while supporting a successful transition to college. Lead Peer Mentors are student-leaders who provide program leadership coordination with academic departments and support for the mentoring team in collaboration with professional staff and campus partners.
Program Outcomes:
- Develop strong leadership interpersonal and communication skills including active listening problem-solving and providing constructive feedback.
- Gain experience guiding first-year students through academic social and personal transitions while effectively connecting them to campus resources.
- Foster an inclusive and supportive environment helping mentees of diverse backgrounds feel a sense of belonging within the campus community.
- Strengthen their ability to mentor collaborate and leaddeveloping valuable transferable skills for future careers graduate studies and leadership roles
- Contribute to student retention success and engagement by promoting campus involvement academic persistence and a positive peer support network.
Peer Mentoring at a Glance
Item | Level I FYE Peer Mentor | Level II Lead FYE Peer Mentor |
Commitment | Full-year: Summer Fall Spring | Full-year: Summer Fall Spring |
Peak Periods | High engagement during Orientation & Welcome Weekend events; Participate in trainings meetings and First-Year throughout the year | Significant leadership coverage during Orientation & Welcome Weekend Plan and lead trainings meetings and First-Year events throughout the year |
Weekly | 5-10 hrs/week | 8-15 hrs/week |
Pay | Stipend at the end of summer spring and fall semesters | Resident Lead PM: single room Blue Meal Plan; stipend at the end of summer spring and fall semesters Commuter Lead PM: Blue Meal Plan; Stipend at the end of summer spring and fall semesters |
Reports To | Director First-Year Programming First-Year Programming Staff and Instructors Lead Peer Mentors | Director First-Year Programming |
Level I FYE Peer Mentor (Intermediate Leadership Role)
Position Overview: FYE Peer Mentors serve as guides connectors and role models for new students during orientation Welcome Weekend and throughout the academic year. They support small cohorts of new students foster belonging and promote awareness of academic expectations and campus resources.
Reports To: Director First-Year Programming; First-Year Programming Staff and Instructors; Lead Peer Mentors
Compensation: Stipend at the end of each semester (Summer Fall Spring)
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support a small group of new students during Orientation Welcome Weekend and throughout the school year
- Facilitate discussions and activities focused on college transition engagement and success.
- Serve as a consistent point of contact for mentees throughout the first year.
- Provide accurate information about academic expectations campus life and support resources.
- Identify concerns and connect students with appropriate campus offices using established protocols.
- Communicate regularly with professional staff; complete required check-ins reports and evaluations.
- Model positive academic habits leadership inclusion and campus engagement.
- Participate in trainings meetings and FY events as they are scheduled throughout the year.
Time Commitment:
- Required summer dates listed above
- Academic year: Ongoing mentoring meetings and check-ins
- Estimated weekly hours: 510 hours during the semester
Level II Lead FYE Peer Mentor (Advanced Leadership Role)
Position Overview: Lead Peer Mentors are senior student leaders who assist with planning coordination and assessment of orientation and first-year transition programs. They supervise and support Peer Mentors in collaboration with professional staff serve as liaisons to academic departments and campus partners and help ensure high-quality inclusive student experiences.
Reports To: Director First-Year Programming
Compensation:
- Resident Lead Peer Mentor: Free single room Blue Meal Plan
- Commuter Lead Peer Mentor: Blue Meal Plan
- Stipend: Small stipend at the end of each semester (Summer Fall Spring)
Key Responsibilities
- Plan implement and evaluate Orientation/ROAR Days Welcome Weekend and first-year transition events.
- Serve as a liaison to academic Deans Department Chairs and Campus Directors to build supplemental programming.
- Support recruitment training supervision and ongoing development of Peer Mentors.
- Provide guidance coaching scheduling and problem-solving for mentor teams; help coordinate assignments and communication.
- Lead team meetings and trainings; contribute to program design schedules and engagement strategies.
- Troubleshoot during events and support real-time decision-making consistent with program protocols.
- Model professionalism leadership inclusion and customer service; represent the program in meetings and campus initiatives.
- Contribute student-research initiatives related to Lead Peer Mentoring.
Additional Qualifications and Expectations:
- Prior experience as a Peer Mentor (or comparable student leadership role).
- Demonstrated leadership organization and communication skills.
- High degree of autonomy and accountability; involved in planning and implementation decisions.
- Acts as a program representative to campus stakeholders; trusted with confidential information.
- Accountable for program effectiveness mentor support and professional collaboration.
Time Commitment:
- Pre-orientation planning & training: 2540 hours
- Orientation & Welcome Weekend: Significant leadership coverage and event operations
- Academic year: Ongoing leadership planning and mentor support
- Estimated weekly hours: 815 hours during the semester
Qualifications
Qualifications and Expectations for ALL Peer Mentors:
- Must be currently enrolled at Mount St. Joseph University
- All undergraduate students who have completed at least one academic year are eligible both commuters and residents.
- Must be in Good Academic Standing
- Minimal Disciplinary History
- Full-year participation across Summer Fall and Spring events.
- Enrollment or completion of FYE 102 Leader Mentor Agent of Chance
- Attendance at all required dates trainings meetings and program evaluations.
- Commitment and collaboration with First Year Programming Staff Academic Deans and Department Chairs Campus Resources personnel and Retention Team.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills reliability professionalism and willingness to build rapport with diverse student populations; maintain boundaries and confidentiality.
- Willingness to participate in training and ongoing development.
- Serve as a visible representative of the institution and program.
Required Availability Dates for Summer 2026:
- April 26 (Orientation Training)
- June 03 June 05 (Orientation Days)
- July 08 July 10 (Orientation Days)
- August 17-23 (Leadership Training and Welcome Weekend Events)
To apply please upload a cover letter resume and contact information with three professional references via Paycom.
A review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Mount St. Joseph University is an Equal Opportunity Employer