Student Worker - Academic Mentor

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or [email protected] . For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778. 

Job Description

The Academic Mentor (AM) position at the University of Nevada, Reno focuses on the academic success of our on-campus students, as this is a crucial component of our residence halls. Academic Mentors are trained undergraduate student staff who live on-campus to assist students with acclimating to the university, building a positive community, and navigating the academic environment.

The AM will serve students living in all residence halls by helping to bridge the residence hall living environment with what occurs in the classrooms of the university. Academic Mentors supplement the residential experience by providing more extensive academic resources and in-depth individual and group academic attention. AMs collaborate as a team to provide academic support to all on-campus residents, no matter the residence hall in which they live.

For many on-campus residents, their AM will be an important link to the university’s academic resources while in the residence halls. An AM’s helpfulness, empathy, interest, and concern will be seen as a reflection of the spirit of cooperation among the residents. As role models, AMs have the responsibility to portray a positive image and attitude. An AM’s presence on campus as a mature, responsible student and adult is the central point around which all other facets of the job revolve. Lastly, the position of an AM is a job and should be prioritized as such. The AM position is a paraprofessional position within the Student Services Division and it is expected that each individual will support the Commitment to Inclusion and the Department Equity Statement.

Community Development
Academic Mentors ensure the development of an academic on-campus community through a combination of both personal academic interaction with students and large-scale programming promoting academic success. Academic Mentors will:

• Provide at least 10 hours per week of dedicated study hours where they will provide academic assistance to their students

• Intervene with residence hall students identified as struggling academically

• Maintain accurate academic information and up-to-date resources to share with students

• Complete a collateral assignment which revolves around academic outreach to all residence halls

Other Residential Duties
Academic Mentors maintain an on-campus community atmosphere that is conducive to student social and academic success. Academic Mentors will:

• Perform general administrative tasks such as weekly reports as well as attend regular staff meetings and one-on-one meetings

• Role model complying with all University and Residential Life policies and report any perceived safety or maintenance concerns to the same standards as all other live-in paraprofessional staff

Expectations

• Academic Mentors are expected to be available one week prior to the opening of the halls in the fall and spring semesters for training and preparation purposes. Students are expected to maintain 30 credits of coursework per academic year or average 15 credits per semester.

• Enrollment in over 17 credits or under 14 credits is permitted only with prior written approval of the direct supervisor.

• If you wish to take summer classes you may only do mini session and first session as second and third sessions may interfere with Fall training.

• Wintermester classes are not permitted, as they interfere with Winter training.

• Involvement in outside employment and/or structured activities requires written approval from the direct supervisor on an individual basis prior to beginning the outside employment.

• Outside employment may not exceed more than 10 hours per week for Academic Mentors and any structured outside work/activity must not result in unsatisfactory performance of academics or interfere with Academic Mentor responsibilities

Required Qualifications

Applicants for the position of Academic Mentor must be a full-time student in good standing and eligible to live in the residence halls.

A cumulative and semester GPA of 3.00 must be maintained throughout employment.

Students are expected to maintain 30 credits of coursework per academic year or average 15 credits per semester.

All Academic Mentors must have lived on campus for a minimum of one year.

The Department of Residential Life, Housing and Food Services is committed to students graduating within four years. Therefore, we seek to employ students who have the ability to maintain at least 15 credits per semester and handle the demands of a student leadership position.

Strong connections to their academic major and campus academic resources will be preferred.

Previous experience as a tutor or similar experience will be preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

The University of Nevada, Reno will compensate Academic Mentors for the length of time served as an Academic Mentor by furnishing a room and utilities.

Depending on building/room assignment, students employed may be assigned a roommate and/or suitemate.

Academic Mentors will be provided with a Convenience Meal Plan, which includes 100 meal swipes and $300.00 in Food Bucks per semester. Academic Mentors may add an additional Meal Plan and/or Food Bucks at their own cost. During Fall Training (August) and Winter Training (January), meals will be provided by the department as part of training.

In addition, those who successfully complete at least two semesters as an Academic Mentor will receive a partial tuition waiver ($14 a credit for up to 15 credits).

Please understand that your Academic Mentor compensation may interfere with any financial aid you may receive. It is your responsibility to consult the Financial Aid office to discuss any potential impact.

Schedule

This position routinely requires approximately 15 hours a week for Academic Mentors.

Inclusion Commitment

We are committed to creating an inclusive community that embraces diversity, equality, and opportunity for all. Our goal is to foster a diverse campus climate that encourages open inquiry and honors every person's story. Join us in promoting a diverse and inclusive campus environment, where every voice is valued and respected.

Exempt

No

Full-Time Equivalent

37.5%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected] .

Attach the following attachment(s) to your application

Resume/CV – (required) List a detailed description of the major duties that you performed as part of each job. You must demonstrate that you qualify for the position and your education and experience must be clearly documented.

Class Schedule – (required)

Contact Information for Two References – (required) Please note: You must provide the name, email and phone of two references. Reference can be a professor, former or current supervisor, or your current RA. A current GRD/RD, relative may not be used.

Essay Questions – (required) Please answer all of the following questions in a Word document.

• What is your specific interest in becoming an Academic Mentor?

• Please describe any unique experiences you have that would make you a successful Academic Mentor.

• What direct experience do you have with tutoring and/or assisting students academically?

• How would you start a conversation with a fellow resident regarding academic support and success?

• What resources might you provide them during that conversation?

• Is there any additional information you would like the committee to consider?

Posting Close Time

Applications must be received by 11:59 PM on 2/10/2024. This posting will be taken down at 12:00 AM on 2/11/2024. This position will be open on the back end until 2/14/2024 (if needed).

Posting Close Date

02/11/2024

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

  

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

  

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

  

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

  

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

    

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). 

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading American public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.”

Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine – and it delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. In recent years, the University has expanded to include two additional locations: the Redfield Campus in south Reno and the Wayne L. Prim campus in Incline Village, which is the home of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

 As part of the Nevada System of Higher Education – comprised of two research universities, one state college, four community colleges and an environmental research institute –  the University is committed to developing strong partnerships with each of these institutions for the benefit of all Nevadans.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its nearly 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information, please visit the University’s website .

University of Nevada, Reno