SWNL Community Mentor Job Description: College Based Learning Communities

The Community Mentor (CM) is a student staff member who provides role modeling and leadership in a College Based Learning Community (CBLC). Community Mentors assist students with progression through the sophomore year and beyond as well as increasing their connection to faculty and peers within their major or area of interest, and may assist with connecting students with additional campus resources geared toward student success. College Based Learning Community students participate in their learning community for either one semester or for the entire academic year. College Based Learning Communities range in size from 20-30 students. The Community Mentor and the Faculty Liaison work together to develop a community conducive to student success. They do this by encouraging student participation in Learning Community events, arranging experiential and/or service learning activities for students, and providing opportunities to increase the students awareness of career options related to their major. Community Mentors will work with CBLCs either in various locales around campus including the building(s) where CBLC classes meet, the Student Union, DuBois, and the Library and are responsible for reserving rooms with the appropriate staff. CMs must be willing to navigate the NAU campus during the day, evening , and weekends in order to meet with their assigned CBLC students. Parking on campus is restrictive and the CM must be willing to work within these restrictions in order to be present for their students. No special parking permits are provided to students serving in the CM role. Mentor Qualifications: For consideration, candidates must possess the following qualifications:

Minimum grade point average of 3.0 Juniors, Seniors (by fall 2014) or graduate students Strong interpersonal and organizational skills Knowledge of the University AIS Knowledge of Native American cultures, communities, and/or languages. Self-motivation

RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Planning & Communication: (Approximately 40% of Position Duties)

Utilizing the Goals and Learning Outcomes established for this community as a guide for your program planning, complete the following programs on behalf of your community each semester: With the guidance of the project Liaison, coordinate a minimum of three academically focused programs pertinent to the Learning Community each semester. Coordinate a minimum of one gathering per semester for community members and faculty/staff within the SWNL Support the goals established by the project programmatically during the academic year. Required Meetings: Attend a meeting with your project Liaison every other week. Attend a meeting with the CBLC Coordinator as requested during the semester. Attend periodic meetings/trainings with Learning Community staff.

CBLC Department Requirements/Expectations: 1: Attend Meetings with Elders as requested 2: Attend meetings with the SWNL stakeholders 3: Assist with project assessment efforts, as needed Community Interaction: (Approximately 50% of Position Duties)

A primary responsibility is the scheduling of formal and informal interactions with students in the LC; a CM is expected to engage with their students and build positive mentoring relationships with their LC students. Meet individually with your LC students at least one time per semester (minimally) with the first meeting occurring within the first 4 weeks of the semester. If the mentor recognizes potential challenges for the student, and/or becomes aware of a change in the students academic or personal life, they should schedule at least one follow up meeting, and they should be available to schedule additional meetings at the students request. Help students through peer advising and referrals to appropriate university resources as the need arises. At the beginning of the semester, help guide and facilitate the creation and usage of peer study groups for common courses; encourage their continuation based upon the needs of the community. Maintain participant email list and provide information about the learning community to all members through this list. CBLC Department Requirements/Expectations: 1: Accompany students on field trips 2: Accompany students on river trip 3: Accompany students at faculty gathering(s). 4: Accompany students to elders lectures.

Paperwork: (Approximately 10% of Position Duties)

Complete a Weekly Worksheet of the work accomplished on behalf of the community each week. Complete and submit payroll on a bi-weekly basis. Complete and submit a Program Proposal Form (including goals for the community) for each program planned for the community. In conjunction with the community Liaison, maintain event and other information and track event attendance in the BB Learn LC Community shell. Complete and submit Purchase Order paperwork when budget requests are needed for community programs. Complete other administrative paperwork as assigned or needed.

WAGE: $10.00 hour. Can work up to an average of 10 hours per week. Extracurricular and additional work commitments are limited to 15 hours maximum. Additionally, a CM will receive $50 in dining dollars during each semester they are employed in the position. For the 2014-15 academic year, employment dates are Fall 2014, August 25 to December 12. REQUIRED TRAINING: Training is required for all Community Mentors. The level required includes the following: One training session that will cover paperwork completion, payroll, and campus resources, and use of BB Learn. Other Requirements

Spring 2014: Complete all payroll paperwork required by Northern Arizona University (not paid) August 2014: Complete the FERPA, Sexual Harassment, CERT, Kognito, My Student Body, and Information Security Essentials tutorials within the first 2 weeks of employment (1 hour paid) December/January 2014: Complete the on-line Peer Mentor Survey if applicable (not paid)

Application Process The application process will be through the CBLC department/community Liaison and applications are due to the community liaison by Monday March 31st for the fall semester.