Excited to support your fellow students on their academic journey? Apply to be a CHC Peer Advisor!

Content

The Peer Advising team, Photo: Eva Trainer

The Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) Advising Unit is seeking applications for a leadership opportunity in the CHC Peer Advisor Program to start in Fall 2025.
 

PEER ADVISOR JOB DESCRIPTION

General Statement of Duties

Commonwealth Honors College (CHC) Peer Advisors (Peer)s are leaders, advocates, and mentors in the college's community. They work with the CHC Advising Unit to provide academic support services and insight into the student experience for fellow students in the college, and prospective on-campus CHC applicants. Peers also support the professional advising staff and provide excellent customer service in the reception of visitors to the Advising Center and other college offices as needed.

Peers have the opportunity to:

• Assist fellow students with identifying and refining their honors academic and personal goals.
• Develop collaboration, leadership, and professional skills, such as problem solving, effective communication, teamwork, public speaking, customer service and office management.
• Build professional connections with CHC and other UMass faculty and staff.
• Serve as an advocate and resource for students in the college.

Overview of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise students on basics of CHC curriculum, course offerings, course types, and thesis.
• Advise on and provide referrals to appropriate resources in the college and at UMass Amherst.
• Respond to incoming telephone calls and email inquiries and provide reception coverage as needed.
• Provide navigation support with the college website, CHC PATHS, SPIRE, Schedule Builder, and Navigate.
• Provide procedural support with appointment scheduling, proposal submissions, and on-campus CHC applications.
• Assist advising staff with Drop-In Advising and Group Advising sessions.
• Perform relevant additional tasks and assist in Advising Center related events as requested.

Requirements:

• Be an undergraduate Commonwealth Honors College student.
• Be able to work in person during regular office hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for approximately 6-15 hours per week during the academic year. *Some night/weekend work is required for special events.
• Excellent interpersonal communication, collaboration, organization, time management, and problem solving skills.
• The ability to do cooperative and independent work
• Basic office and computer skills.
• The capacity for discretion and confidentiality. 
• The ability to demonstrate initiative, reliability, and flexibility. 
• The capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment. 
• The ability to have professional interactions with a variety of people (e.g., staff, faculty, students, parents, etc.). 
• Demonstrate an equity mindset and contribute to an inclusive environment. 
• The capacity to express empathy, understanding, and active listening.

Supervision Received:

Peer Advisors will receive direct supervision from the Assistant Director of Advising. Peers are also supervised by and provide assistance to the two Peer Advising Coordinators. Supervision is subject to change at the discretion of the Director of Advising.

Trainings:

Peer Advisors are required to attend all training sessions (void of any emergencies or conflicts with Residential Life/New Student Orientation and Transitions training).

1. Fall Training: Fall Training will be held the last week in August, before the Fall semester begins. 
2. Spring Training: Spring Training will be held in January before the Spring semester begins. 
3. In-Sessions: progressive training sessions will be held during staff meetings.

Meetings: 

Peers are required to attend a one-hour weekly staff meeting.

This position pays $16.50/hour. 

Apply online

Applications are due Monday February 10th at 11:59pm EST. Applicants will be notified of their application status by Monday April 22nd.

Questions? nchomitz [at] umass [dot] edu (Contact Nancy Chomitz)