Academic Mentor Position

Please review our mentor values and work distribution before proceeding.

• Provide peer mentorship, academic review, and referral services to program participants. Serve as a knowledgeable point of contact regarding campus resources and peer-level academic advice.
• Meet with assigned mentees (WMU students) on a regular (usually weekly) basis and ensure that mentees are utilizing the 24/7 online tutoring service; maintain student activity logs.
• Plan and facilitate skill-building workshops for program participants (WMU students); maintain participant workshop sign-in logs.
• Provide tutoring at middle and/or high schools to precollege students in the Michigan GEAR UP cohort; must be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and have own transportation.
• Assist mentees (WMU students) in schedule building and the development of individualized success plans, facilitate the development of study skills and time management techniques in mentees, and encourage mentee participation in the Mentoring for Success Program's reward program.
• Assist with various GEAR UP activities, including, but not limited to, campus visits, summer camps, etc.
• Participate consistently in appropriate follow-up, documentation, and evaluation activities, including, but not limited to, checking and responding to email during every shift, maintaining and utilizing W-Exchange calendar, keeping track of student reward points, as well as logging in to and updating the Mentoring for Success Program's online student database after each interaction with mentees.
• Participate actively in the Mentoring for Success Program's Teams during every shift, including, but not limited to, contributing to all staff discussions, and completing assigned tasks by stated deadlines.
• Commit to Mentoring for Success Program for at least one academic year; plan accordingly and be available to assist mentees throughout the week including during non-traditional work hours as well as during and through mid-term and final exam weeks.
• Maintain frequent and regular contact with program staff and participants, providing appropriate responses and follow-ups as needed.
• Attend all other scheduled activities, events, staff meetings, and other meetings related to the program, which may happen outside of your regularly scheduled shifts.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and publicizing program events, creating content for social media and offering appropriate feedback and suggestions in a timely manner.
• Undergo periodic performance review, which includes, but is not limited to, meeting weekly with the program director and other supervisors on a recurring basis or as needed.

• Enrolled as a regular junior, senior, or graduate student in a degree-granting program at Western Michigan University. Qualified sophomore applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Cumulative WMU grade point average of 3.0 or better.
• Completed at least two semesters in a degree-granting undergraduate program at a U.S. institution of higher education. (Must also provide official transcripts from all U.S. post-secondary institutions attended.)
• Able to commit an average of 15 hours per week for at least one academic year.
• Knowledgeable about campus resources and able to connect mentees with those resources.
• Access to a personal computer and own a mobile phone that has voice, text, and data capability and plan. 
• Experience with virtual calendars and planners and with online collaborative tools.
• Experience as a peer mentor and in developing strategies to help mentees achieve academic and personal success.
• Able to provide tutoring to middle and high school students and have demonstrated academic proficiency in selected subject areas.
• Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Awarded work-study (preferred).

• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to helping students succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and professionally.
• Have a good understanding of the distinction between peer mentoring and tutoring or teaching.
• Able to serve as a knowledgeable and experienced guide and resource, a trusted ally and advocate, and a caring role model to mentees.
• Able to lead discussions, help locate resources, and facilitate life skills development among mentees.
• Able to work with diverse populations.
• Possess excellent communication, leadership, organization, and multitasking skills.
• Must be detail-oriented, flexible, dependable, and able to perform well under pressure.
• Able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Have a broad understanding of campus resources.
• Familiar with the U.S. education system at the middle school, high school, and undergraduate college levels.

• Free computer and printer use in the program office.
• Flexible work hours.
• Opportunity for advancement into leadership or supervisory positions.
• Free access to educational resources and materials for the subjects you tutor.
• Challenging and satisfying work experience.
  • Opportunity to review course materials within or outside your field and gain a better and different understanding of the materials.
  • Sharing knowledge with others, giving back to your community, and making a difference in someone's life.
  • Being mentored by more experienced peer mentors.
  • Gaining instructional experience, developing appreciation of and respect for learning and teaching, and becoming a more effective teacher.
  • Constant motivation for self-improvement.
• Learning transferable skills for future jobs and improving your employability.
  • Résumé enhancement.
  • Positive references.
  • Networking opportunity.
  • Personal and professional development.
    • Development and enhancement of leadership skills, organization skills, time management skills, critical thinking skills, communication skills, writing skills, public speaking skills, self-confidence, self responsibility and social accountability, as well as other important life skills.
  • Meeting and working with individuals from different backgrounds and with a wide range of skills, talents, perspectives, values, and beliefs.

Complete this employment application form. You will be asked to attach the following documents:

• A résumé. It is strongly recommended that you visit Career and Student Employment Services for a free résumé critique or review the Career Development Guide for sample résumés prior to submitting your application.
• A copy of your transcript(s). Depending on your enrollment status, you may need to submit different types of transcripts.
  • For undergraduate students who have not attended any other institutions of higher education besides WMU: Include your unofficial WMU transcript.
  • For graduate students who had completed their undergraduate degree at WMU: Include both your unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcript from WMU.
  • For transfer and graduate students: Include both your unofficial WMU transcript and an official transcript from your previous institutions (if not WMU).
  • Note: You can print your unofficial WMU transcript from the "My Unofficial Transcript" link on GoWMU. Please do not submit your official transcript from WMU. You do not need to request your official transcript from the Registrar's Office.
• Proof of work-study award (if applicable).