Peer Advising Leader Application Packet Dear Peer Advising Leader Candidate: Thank you for your interest in the Peer Advising Leader (PAL) position in the Office of First-Year Experience Programs and Initiatives. The position of a PAL is a vital one, as it assists new students and parents in their transition to CUI and Orange County. In addition to the excitement of introducing new students to the Concordia Family, you have the chance to expand your resume, work as part of a team of student leaders, and build strong leadership and communication skills. The job of a PAL is both challenging and rewarding, providing an unforgettable and amazing experience. Included in this packet, you will find a description of the PAL program and PAL position and an application for the position. Applications must be completed and returned no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 3, 2012. At that point, you will sign up for an individual and group interview which will take place beginning Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Please note the following in the job description: PALs must attend ALL training sessions in the spring semester, 2012. PALs are required to attend the CCLC, Christian College Leadership Conference, on April 14, 2012 (full day conference). PALs are required to complete the Blackboard readings/questions throughout the summer. PALs must be available to return to campus for WOW training on Thursday, August 9, 2012 (subject to change) and have no conflicts during that time. PALs must enroll in a 1 credit INT 103 course that will take place on Mondays from 4:30 5:45 p.m. during the fall semester, 2012 (subject to change). Freshman PALs will serve as a co-facilitator in INT 100 during the fall semester, 2012. PALs will plan and facilitate at least 4 on/off campus social activities for their WOWees throughout the fall semester, 2012. PALs will participate in spring orientation, 2013 (TBD). This is an excellent opportunity to build your leadership skills and help prepare new students to join the Concordia Family. If you have any questions regarding the position, please do not hesitate to contact me at kristy.fowler@cui.edu. Blessings, Kristy Fowler Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives RHO Programming Center, Rm. 148
Peer Advising Program Description Peer Advising Leadership (PAL) Program The Peer Advising Leadership (PAL) Program was created to support new students in their transition into Concordia University Irvine by playing a lead role in New Student Orientation and First-Year Experience programs. Each year we select a group of students who are interested in true servant leadership and in investing in their personal development: Peer Advising Leaders (PALs). PALs help serve our university community by mentoring, supporting, teaching, and advising new students. PALs, who have the option of working with another PAL, are assigned a team of new students during fall and spring orientation and work with their student group throughout the semester. The PAL Program plays a vital role in the success of the orientation programs and in helping students transition into our University. The PAL Program provides current Concordia students the opportunity to enhance their leadership skills, be part of CUI s formal student leadership, and gain experience mentoring peers. The experience gained through the program is invaluable; leadership training, teambuilding, and Christian fellowship are all emphasized for each member. PALs have the unique opportunity to help new students become comfortable with their new environment. This is especially important since, for most new students, this is the first time in their lives that they are living away from their home. Next year we will invite up to 35 students to be Peer Advising Leaders in the PAL Program. Once selected, PALs will go through leadership training and participate in our student leadership events throughout the year. Students have the option of applying for the Freshman PAL position or Transfer PAL position. All PALs will participate in Week of Welcome (WOW) and Spring Orientation and plan at least 4 on/off campus social activities for their WOWees. During the Fall semester, Freshman PALs will help facilitate INT 100: Freshman Seminar. In the Fall semester, all PALs will enroll in INT 103: Leadership for 1 unit of elective credit. View the Peer Advising Leadership website for further information- www.cui.edu/fye.
Peer Advising Leader Position Description TITLE Peer Advising Leader (PAL) PURPOSE The primary purpose of the PAL is to carry out the goals of fall and spring orientation in the following ways: 1. Assist the Director of First-Year Experience and PACs with the implementation of orientation events and activities. 2. Offer new students and parents the best possible introduction to the programs and services at Concordia University Irvine. 3. Assist students in their adjustment to CUI and Orange County. 4. Co-facilitate INT 100: Freshman Seminar (Freshman PALs) SUPERVISOR Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS As an official liaison of the University and a trained para-professional member of the FYE staff, the PAL is expected to handle his/her responsibilities maturely and exhibit exemplary conduct while assuming the position. The PAL must have excellent communication skills and the ability to relate to first-year and transfer students. Organizational skills are also essential, as is the ability to learn quickly, multi-task, give clear instructions, and solve problems in a timely and efficient manner. Involvement in some areas of campus life and familiarity with the organizations and resources of the University through volunteer or work experience are desirable. PALs should be enthusiastic students of the University as well as positive Christian role models. In addition, PALs must be able to relate well with a diverse group of students, parents, family members, and CUI faculty/staff. PALs should be comfortable working independently and as a part of the PAL team. All applicants must meet the following: 1. Understand and believe in the objectives of the PAL program, orientation programs, and INT 100: Freshman Seminar. 2. Complete at least 24 credit hours (full-time student status) by the end of the current spring semester at CUI. 3. Be in good standing and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. 4. Return to CUI for the 2012-2013 academic year. 5. Attend the Christian College Leadership Conference (CCLC) on April 14, 2012 (all day event). 6. Participate in all PAL training sessions/meetings during the spring semester, 2012. *PAL training sessions (6) begin the week of March 12 th (subject to change) 7. May not hold any other student leadership position at Concordia University Irvine unless otherwise approved by the Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives. 8. May not hold an outside job or position (including work study) that will come into direct conflict with the responsibilities of the PAL position. (Do NOT make any personal plans during PAL training and WOW). 9. Be on campus approximately 1 week before new students (must be available beginning early August-for PAL move-in, training, and WOW). DURATION PALs must be available during ALL PAL meetings/training sessions during the spring semester, 2012. PALs return and remain on campus beginning August 9, 2012 (subject to change). Available for various activities and programs during fall and spring orientation. INT 103- Mondays from 4:30 5:45 p.m. during the fall semester, 2012 (subject to change). PALs agree to a year-long commitment (March 2012-January 2013).
RESPONSIBILITIES Initiate and develop open communication with and between the new students. Listen, counsel, and advise new students according to situations and/or make necessary referrals and follow-up. Work with faculty, staff, and other student leaders to facilitate the success of new students transitions to CUI. Represent Concordia in a variety of situations with faculty, staff, parents and new students. Attend all PAL meetings during the spring semester, 2012. Attend all orientation program activities during WOW and spring orientation. Attend all PAL meetings in the fall semester, 2012. Plan and facilitate at least 4 on/off campus programs throughout the fall semester, 2012 for your WOWees. Freshman PALs: co-facilitate and attend all INT 100: Freshman Seminar Breakout sessions. Assists at the Monday INT 100 sessions. Communicate with your WOWees throughout the summer and fall. Perform other duties as assigned by the Peer Advising Coordinators (PACs) and Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives. Be devoted to the program 100% during all planning and implementing of activities before, during and after orientation. CHARACTERISTICS Positive Christian Role Model Responsibility Integrity Comfortable addressing groups Ability to relate to a variety of personality types and with students from diverse backgrounds Flexibility Perseverance, dedication and a sense of humor when encountering inevitable challenges Ability to work closely with others as a leader and a team member Leadership ability Initiative and enthusiasm Ability and mindfulness to refer students to campus resources Complies with University policy and represents CUI in a respectful, professional manner APPLICATION PROCESS Step One: Application Interested candidates should submit a completed application to the Office of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives (RHO 154) no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, February 3, 2012. Step Two: Individual & Group Interviews When submitting the application, sign up for both an individual and a group interview. Interviews will take place February 7 February 23, 2012 (subject to change). Students selected as PALs will be notified via email beginning Friday, February 25, 2012. All contracts/agreements will be due Wednesday, March 7, 2012. QUESTIONS For questions about the PAL position, please contact: Kristy Fowler Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives 949.214.3064 Kristy.Fowler@cui.edu
Peer Advising Leader Application Please type or neatly print. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Contact Information First Name: Last Name: Gender: E#: Eagles e-mail: NOTE: We will be using your Eagles e-mail address to communicate important information to you. Current On-Campus Building & Room #: Current Address (if off-campus): If you currently live off campus, have you ever lived on-campus at Concordia University? Current Phone #: ( ) Cell Phone #: ( ) Summer 11 Address: Summer 11 Phone #: ( ) (if different from current) Academic Standing Class Level Spring 2012: FR SO JR SR Major: Anticipated Date of Graduation: Cumulative GPA: Fall 2011 GPA: Please attach a current unofficial CUI transcript (printed off of Banner Web) so that we can verify your GPA. Provide transfer or high school GPA if this is your first semester at CUI. Certification I certify the information presented in this application is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further give permission to the Office of FYE to verify my standing and academic records, including my grade point average. Signature Date
Time Commitments For Next Year Anticipated class load for spring & fall semesters: No. of units spring 2012 No. of units fall 2012 We expect PALs to prioritize their activities in such a way that they are students first and leaders second. All other outside employment or activities must be pre-approved by your supervisor. PALs may not participate in any outside work or activities, except as approved by their supervisor, during spring and summer training, WOW, and Spring Orientation. That said, are there any activities (work commitments, sports, clubs, music groups, organizations, outreach ministries, etc.) that you anticipate being involved in during spring 2012 & fall 2012? If yes, please specify what activity and provide details such as name of group, number of hours involved per week, and length of involvement during the year. Self- Evaluation Rank each of the below characteristics in order from 1 to 12 as they pertain to your own strengths and weaknesses. Designate your strongest area as #1, next strongest as #2 and so forth, on through the area in which you feel you would need the most training and or improvement, which would rank #12. Approachability Flexibility Role Modeling Administrative Skills Initiative Creativity Community Development Facilitating Conversations Counseling & Peer Advising Time Management Skills Programming Leading Groups Online Assessment Please go to the following website, ( http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp) complete the MBTI self-assessment, and enter the letters corresponding to your results in the spaces provided below. Your Type is: References Please list the names and email addresses of those individuals who will be completing your reference forms. Current PAL : Faculty/Staff or Previous/Current Employer: *Note: PAL applicants should have a current PAL as a reference. You are responsible for ensuring that all materials, including supplemental questions and references (located at the end of the packet), have been submitted.
Application Questions Please respond to the following questions on a separate document, typed and attached to your application. 1. What skills, knowledge, previous leadership, employment and/or community living experience do you have that would contribute to your success as a Freshman and/or Transfer PAL? 2. What strengths and special qualities would you bring to the PAL position and contribute to your WOWees and PAL Team members? (Please note that one duty of a Freshman PAL is to assist in teaching the INT 100: Freshman Seminar course. All PALs will create and implement 4 on/off campus social programs and activities throughout the fall semester. Please include strengths that would help you perform this task in your answer.) 3. Of all the duties listed on the PAL job description, which duty do you believe will be the most challenging to you? Why? 4. Please list any outside commitments you will have while being a PAL. Include work commitments, membership in campus or community organizations, etc., and the hours per week for you to fulfill your commitment. Please realize that this position requires a lot of time and dedication. 5. Looking at your outside activities and commitments, how do you plan on balancing these with the many responsibilities of the PAL position? 6. Have you had any discipline problems (i.e. Residential Education, Dean of Student Affairs, Campus Security, etc.)? If so, please be specific of the situation(s) and the outcome(s). How does this reflect on your role as a student leader? 7. What role, if any, does your faith play in your everyday actions and attitude? Explain. 8. In your own words, describe what the PAL program at CUI should accomplish. (What objectives should orientation have? What should students walk away with?) 9. Briefly describe your adjustment as a new student at CUI and how your experience will help you assist new students in their transition. 10. In one sentence, what would be your advice to a new CUI student? Application Deadline Friday, February 3, 2012 4:30 p.m. Office of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives RHO 154 949.214.3065 Application Check-List Complete this application. Complete necessary information on PAL Recommendation Forms (see next page) and forward forms to two references (one reference form needs to be from a current PAL). References will either submit their completed recommendation forms in a sealed envelope to you or mail it directly to the Office of FYE. Applications will be considered incomplete if recommendation forms are not received by the deadline. Submit this application, attachments, and two recommendation forms (if applicable) to the above address no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 3, 2012. Sign up for an individual and group interview when you submit your application.
Peer Advising Leader Recommendation Form TO THE APPLICANT: Please fill in the information below. One of the forms needs to be completed by a current PAL. This completed Recommendation Form must be turned in no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 3, 2012 in order for your application to be considered. Please check one of the following: I waive any right of access that I may have to this recommendation form. I do not waive any right of access that I may have to this recommendation form. Applicant s Name: Applicant s Signature: Date: TO THE PERSON COMPLETING THE RECOMMENDATION: Concordia University Irvine coordinates a fall and spring new student orientation program for their incoming students. It is the intent of the program to provide a welcoming, supportive environment for the new students as well as offer information on the resources and programs at CUI. The applicant is seeking a position as a Peer Advising Leader (PAL) for this program. In addition to being key players in the preparation and implementation of the program, PALs facilitate teambuilding activities, host social gatherings on/off campus, initiate conversation and fellowship, listen & counsel students, and may assist in the co-teaching of an INT 100: Freshman Seminar Breakout class. Please frankly state the merits of this applicant s candidacy, any deficiencies, and any other information that may be useful to the selection committee. Recommender s Name: Position: Relationship to applicant: Length you ve known the applicant: How well do you know this applicant? Very Well Fairly Well Casually What do you consider to be the applicant s strengths pertaining to this position? What do you consider to be the applicant s areas for improvement pertaining to this position? Please comment on the applicant s ability to provide leadership and to show sensitivity in working with diverse individuals with different backgrounds and needs (i.e. students who are first-generation, homeschooled, who have learning disabilities, or who suffer from high-anxiety, etc.).
Consider each of the following items and check the appropriate box representing your evaluation. Use N/A if you have insufficient information from which to evaluate. Initiative Enthusiasm Follow through Creativity Reliability Sensitivity Maturity Team Player Ability to initiate & engage in conversation Leading others Role model Excellent Good Average Poor N/A Comments Please comment on the applicant s ability to role model positive Christian values. Strongly Recommend Recommend with Reservations Recommend Do Not Recommend Signature Date Please sign this reference form and return it in a sealed envelope to the applicant BEFORE February 3, 2012 OR Return this form by February 3, 2012 to: Kristy Fowler Office of First-Year Experience 1530 Concordia West Irvine CA 92612 Tel. (949) 214-3064
Peer Advising Leader Recommendation Form TO THE APPLICANT: Please fill in the information below. One of the forms needs to be completed by a current PAL. This completed Recommendation Form must be turned in no later than 4:30 p.m. on February 3, 2012 in order for your application to be considered. Please check one of the following: I waive any right of access that I may have to this recommendation form. I do not waive any right of access that I may have to this recommendation form. Applicant s Name: Applicant s Signature: Date: TO THE PERSON COMPLETING THE RECOMMENDATION: Concordia University Irvine coordinates a fall and spring new student orientation program for their incoming students. It is the intent of the program to provide a welcoming, supportive environment for the new students as well as offer information on the resources and programs at CUI. The applicant is seeking a position as a Peer Advising Leader (PAL) for this program. In addition to being key players in the preparation and implementation of the program, PALs facilitate teambuilding activities, host social gatherings on/off campus, initiate conversation and fellowship, listen & counsel students, and may assist in the co-teaching of an INT 100: Freshman Seminar Breakout class. Please frankly state the merits of this applicant s candidacy, any deficiencies, and any other information that may be useful to the selection committee. Recommender s Name: Position: Relationship to applicant: Length you ve known the applicant: How well do you know this applicant? Very Well Fairly Well Casually What do you consider to be the applicant s strengths pertaining to this position? What do you consider to be the applicant s areas for improvement pertaining to this position? Please comment on the applicant s ability to provide leadership and to show sensitivity in working with diverse individuals with different backgrounds and needs (i.e. students who are first-generation, homeschooled, who have learning disabilities, or who suffer from high-anxiety, etc.).
Consider each of the following items and check the appropriate box representing your evaluation. Use N/A if you have insufficient information from which to evaluate. Initiative Enthusiasm Follow through Creativity Reliability Sensitivity Maturity Team Player Ability to initiate & engage in conversation Leading others Role model Excellent Good Average Poor N/A Comments Please comment on the applicant s ability to role model positive Christian values. Strongly Recommend Recommend with Reservations Recommend Do Not Recommend Signature Date Please sign this reference form and return it in a sealed envelope to the applicant BEFORE February 3, 2012 OR Return this form by February 3, 2012 to: Kristy Fowler Office of First-Year Experience 1530 Concordia West Irvine CA 92612 Tel. (949) 214-3064