Apply to be a GS Peer Advisor

Position Description
The Dean of Students (DOS) Office is committed to providing world-class advising and academic support for students at the School of General Studies. Peer Advisors play a key role in providing that support; as current students themselves, their experience navigating the institution often proves invaluable to their peers and they bring important perspectives. Peer advisors support students with issues such as class registration, connecting with campus resources, balancing academics with other personal and work responsibilities, and more. In turn, peer advisors gain valuable experience in higher education and student affairs, as well as the opportunity to give back to the GS community and help strengthen the student experience for their peers.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting new, incoming students during Orientation and throughout their first term as they manage the transition to Columbia
• Acting as informed resources for all undergraduate GS students regarding matters related to registration and course selection, choosing and declaring a major, short and long-term academic planning, time management and other study strategies, and campus resources and services (the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS), Disability Services, the Center for Career Education (CCE), Religious Life at Earl Hall, academic departments, etc.)
• Monitoring closely and responding to email inquiries
• Hosting weekly walk-in advising hours in the GS Lounge in Lewisohn Hall to help facilitate advising conversations with students
• Serving as informal liaisons to the DOS Office by referring students to their academic advisors as appropriate, helping facilitate meaningful relationships between students and their academic advisors
• Encouraging students to avail themselves of DOS services and program offerings
• Serving as teaching assistants for University Studies, a zero-point course that functions as an extended Orientation program for all incoming students; interested Peer Advisors may also have the opportunity to co-teach certain sessions
• Participating in New Student Orientation for both the fall and spring terms, as well as all required training associated with the role of Orientation Leader
  • Participating in specialized training in the curriculum, FERPA, program development, campus resources, and working with students in distress
• Providing administrative and front desk support for the DOS Office as necessary
• Performing other tasks and projects as required

Position Requirements

• Have completed at least one term of study at Columbia
• Be in good academic and disciplinary standing
• Be empathetic, reliable, and friendly
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Being comfortable working collaboratively with a diverse student population

Time Commitment

• Part-time (4-10 hours per week, with occasional extra hours during high-traffic times)
• Minimum commitment of one academic year

Compensation
$23 per hour (additional benefits not included)

Application