EXCEL students are paired with Peer Mentors, who are current, full-time undergraduate students at Bridgewater State University. BSU Peer Mentors help EXCEL students assimilate to college life by introducing them to friends, exploring campus, and encouraging involvement in BSU clubs and activities. By spending time with BSU Peer Mentors, EXCEL students develop friendships and feel socially connected to BSU student life.
EXCEL Peer Mentors:
- Are role models who work one-on-one with EXCEL students
- Help EXCEL students make new friends on campus
- Model appropriate social skills
- Attend BSU activities with EXCEL students
- Encourage EXCEL students to develop independent living skills
Join our team as a Peer Mentor for the 2023-2024 academic year
The EXCEL Program at Bridgewater State University (BSU) is a fully-inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Students in the EXCEL program share the same experiences as their college peers in the areas of academics, socialization, professional development, and independent living. Students become more independent and actively engaged in creating and living their lives. Our program honors dignity and worth, and fosters self-determination. Our vision is for full inclusion to be a permanent fixture of the institutional fabric for all stakeholders at BSU.
Job Description:
EXCEL students are paired with Peer Mentors who are full-time undergraduate students at BSU. Peer Mentors help EXCEL students assimilate to college life by introducing them to friends, exploring campus, and encouraging involvement in BSU clubs and activities. By spending time with BSU Peer Mentors, EXCEL students develop friendships and feel socially connected to BSU student life.
Responsibilities
- Spend at least one hour each week with Mentee
- Attend BSU activities/events with Mentee
- Help mentees become familiar with university resources (i.e. BSU library, AAC, Wellness Center, Career Services, etc.)
- Serve as a role model, exhibiting enthusiasm, motivation, and involvement
- Exercise good judgment in representing the university and upholding the BSU Student Code of Conduct
- Model appropriate social skills and behavior
- Support and encourage mentees in their development of independent living skills
- Attend and participate in scheduled orientation and training
- Participate in other EXCEL activities and events as opportunities arise
- Maintain timely and consistent correspondence with Mentee
- Maintain timely and consistent correspondence with supervisor, including attendance at monthly check-in meetings
- Submit weekly peer mentor activity logs to supervisor
EXCEL Residence Life Peer Mentor
Responsibilities (in addition to above):
- Serve during the hours of 4:00pm-8:00pm (2 hour shifts), 1-2 days per week on a rotating basis
- Check in with mentees at least once during active duty
- Initiate social interaction with each mentee, ensuring at least 1 person-to-person activity takes place per week
- Encourage mentees to attend and become involved in campus clubs and activities, facilitating involvement and attending events with mentees when appropriate
- Provide academic support to each mentee, as needed
- Act as a guide if conflicts arise, referring mentees to EXCEL RA when needed
- Maintain timely and consistent correspondence with EXCEL Coordinator and EXCEL Resident Assistant
Qualifications:
- Must be a matriculated undergraduate student at BSU, taking at least 6 credit hours.
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress; students on academic probation must leave position until probation has been resolved.
- Must be a full-time Sophomore, Junior or Senior BSU student
- Must have attended BSU as a full-time student for at least two previous semesters
- Be in good standing with BSU – no active judicial sanctions
- Be involved in BSU’s academic and/or co-curricular programs
- Possess compassion, patience, flexibility, and motivation
- Able to set appropriate boundaries and maintain a healthy level of professionalism
- Strong organizational, written and oral communication skills
- It would be beneficial to have knowledge of or experience with disabilities
- Complete and pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
**Day mentors must: have availability during mid-morning/early afternoon on weekdays to accommodate meeting with your mentee for a minimum of one hour
**Res Life Mentors must: be a residential student at BSU or live within walking distance to campus.
For more information contact:
EXCEL Program (Extraordinary Expectations for Career, Education & Life)
Hayley White
Burnell Hall, Room 119
Phone: (508)-531-2716
E-Mail: h3white@bridgew.edu
Interviews scheduled after application submission.