Peer Academic Coach (Graduate Student)

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University is seeking several Peer Academic Coach (Graduate Student) - Boca Raton - FL.

With over 30,000 students from all 50 states and over 180 countries, 21 intercollegiate teams, 180 plus degree programs, and an administration that thrives on discovery and excellence, FAU is pushing the boundaries of higher education. Florida Atlantic's faculty and staff are trailblazers and innovators with a passion for finding creative solutions while advancing science, art, and technology in all disciplines. Our work environment is a hub of cultures from across the nation and the world, making FAU a place where collaboration flourishes.

First-Generation Peer Academic Coaches (PACs) help students adjust to life at FAU. As a PAC, you support the academic transition of First-Generation College students to FAU through individualized academic coaching and by assisting in first-year courses, like the SLS 1410: FAU iSucceed. In support of the FAU iSucceed course, PACs provides student support for the instructor on record of the SLS 1410 and are responsible for monitoring a section of twenty-five students and maintaining their grades and submissions within the Canvas system. PACs support First-Generation College students by making personalized recommendations regarding campus resources; by encouraging engagement on-campus and in the community; by facilitating study, time management, and other academic success skills; and, by modeling responsible and healthy decision-making. The position is for one academic year (summer, fall and spring semester), subject to performance and funding.

Summary of Responsibilities Include:

• Commitment to working in both the summer and fall semesters with the option of continuing in spring semester.

• Actively participates in training/staff development sessions including: -One day (approximately 8 hours) summer training retreat in June (the week prior to the start of the summer semester). Training will be virtual and consist of synchronous and asynchronous sessions. -One day (approximately 4 hours) retreat at the beginning of the fall semester. -One day (approximately 4 hours) retreat at the beginning of the spring semester.

• Attends weekly team meetings on Mondays from 1-2pm* during the summer, fall, and spring semesters (1hour per week).

• Provides individual and group academic coaching to students by appointment and drop-in basis during scheduled office hours.

  Informs students of academic and co-curricular resources and opportunities at FAU; refer students who need additional assistance or information that is beyond your role or knowledge base.

• Serves as an online Section Leader in SLS 1410; FAU iSucceed course during the 6 weeks of the summer Term 3 semester.

• May be called to serve as Section Leader in SLS 1410: FAU iSucceed course during the first 8 weeks of the fall and spring semesters, as needed.

• Responds to student reflections and assignments in Canvas, delivering student outreach emails, facilitating a sense of community among the students (4-5 hours per week).

• Promotes campus engagement and use of resources through bi-weekly outreach to your assigned cohort of students via phone and email contact.

• Maintains the confidentiality of student records and respects the privacy of information disclosed by or about a students.

• Supports other first-year student experience initiatives as requested.

What You Will Do and Learn:

The National Association of Colleges and Employers has defined eight career competencies that employers seek in college graduates. We present their definitions of these competencies below with examples of how you can increase your career readiness through the Peer Academic Coach (PAC) position.

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems. The individual is able to obtain, interpret, and use knowledge, facts, and data in this process, and may demonstrate originality and inventiveness.

• Analyze student needs to develop lesson plans unique to each of your classes.

• Identify the interests and concerns specific to your students and appropriately tailor the resources, information, and opportunities that you present to them.

• Verbal/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization.

• Learn and utilize active listening and appreciative questioning skills in individual 30-minute coaching appointments.

• Execute a bi-monthly outreach campaign (phone, email, text, social media, video) to inform, engage, and motivate students.

Teamwork/Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints. The individual is able to work within a team structure and can negotiate and manage conflict.

• Collaborate with team to staff the academic coaching center to handle walk-in traffic as well as scheduled appointments; cultivate a working environment that conveys warmth, competence, and respect.

• Utilize a customer service framework that emphasizes rapport building and coaching as a joint venture for the benefit of the student.

Digital Technology: Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

• Maintain accurate appointment and outcome records for your students through the Starfish Student Success Network.

• Utilize Canvas for training and for developing academic success workshops.

• Utilize web-based programs for virtual student coaching appointments.

Leadership: Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others.

• Facilitate workshops for first-year students. PACs will develop and facilitate workshops during the fall and spring semesters and support instructors and program staff as requested.

• Work independently with students to define and achieve goals.

Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image.

• Maintain ethical boundaries with your students taking into consideration your position of authority in the classroom and as a coach.

• Uphold a professional appearance and demeanor in the classroom and coaching center that underscores your role as a coach and role-model.

Career Management: Identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals and identify areas necessary for professional growth.

• Participate in extensive training that is aligned with nationally recognized coaching training certification.

• Engage in a minimum of two evaluation cycles per year that will involve personal goal setting.

• Present feedback from students, your co-facilitator, team members, and your supervisor.

Global/lntercultural Fluency: Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions. The individual demonstrates openness, inclusiveness, sensitivity, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people and understand individuals' differences.

• Participate in the Anti-Defamation League's Campus of Difference Training Program.

• Participate in a guided analysis of the relationships among your students and with you to identify those students you more easily build a strong connection with and how you can effectively work with all students.

For more information, please contact the Peer Academic Coach Supervisor, Monica Martinez, at [email protected] or by phone at 561-297-3962

University Advising Services at Florida Atlantic University seeks scholars who are committed to supporting the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and to engaging communities underrepresented in higher education. Florida Atlantic University is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty, and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. Florida Atlantic University embodies a culture of strategic and collaborative community engagement that results in mutual benefit to the institution and the diverse internal and external communities that it serves.

Minimum Qualifications:

Must be an FAU degree-seeking graduate student registered with a minimum of five credit hours (or nine if international) and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Must have completed at least 30 credit hours.
Completed a minimum of one semester at FAU.
Must be in good disciplinary standing.
First-Generation College Students preferred.
Must be in good academic standing.
Must possess strong verbal skills and a desire to help your peers to assist peers transitioning to FAU.
Must possess strong organization and time management skills.

Salary:

$15.00 per hour
Temporary Student

College or Department:

University Advising Services

Location:

Boca Raton

Work Days and Hours:

8-10 hours per week during PAC Center hours of operation which are Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. * Hours may vary

Application Deadline:

2024-03-11

Special Instructions to Applicant:

This recruitment has been reopened; all previous applicants are still under consideration and need not reapply. This position may close without prior notice.
This is a part time position.
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
A resume and a cover letter are required for this position. Cover letter should outline whether or not you are a first-generation college student, your motivation for becoming a PAC, and what you would bring to the position and how this experience will benefit your future career. Make sure to attach these required documents in the Attachments section of the application. Any missing required documents will result in disqualification.
OFFICIAL SEALED TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED:
Final candidate will be required to have official, sealed transcripts and original NACES evaluation, if applicable, sent from their educational institution to Human Resources prior to the start of employment.
PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENINGS REQUIRED:
Selected candidates must successfully complete and pass all employment screenings prior to the start of employment. Employment screenings may include a criminal background check (level I and level II), motor vehicle check, credit check, reference checks, alcohol, and drug screening check.
REQUEST FOR ACCOMODATIONS:
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact Human Resources at 561-297-3057. For inquiries concerning employees, job applicants or other available accommodations, please email [email protected] or call the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX at (561) 297-3004.