Peer Advising Program
Peer Advising at Western New England College represents a cornerstone in new student adjustment. Most significantly, peer advising has been recognized nationally as a mentoring experience of unique proportion. Most important it has become a centerpiece in the first year program.
Recognizing that adjustment to the college experience, particularly for first time freshman, can be full of anxiety and waiting pitfalls, Peer Advisors work closely with an assigned group of new students through the first year of matriculation at the College. The advising load will vary, averaging 15-18 advisees, depending on available resources and size of the entering class. Specific involvement includes such programs as fall and spring First Week programs, freshman focus programs, first alert interventions, development of personal success plans, response to early warning notices, and individual outreach initiatives. Peer Advisors often work in partnership with faculty advisors and other student affairs units. Peer Advisors may also choose to serve as freshman seminar assistants in those sections of FYS for which qualified.
A common thread in any of the assigned tasks is the personal interest in each advisee, being accessible at time of need and offering congratulations at times of success. Being a Peer Advisor means extending a helping hand. It is about being a shepherd through the first year of student enrollment. It is about modeling successful strategies for intellectual and personal growth. It is about mentorship.
Appointment as a PA and continuance in the position is contingent upon the following conditions. All appointments are for a period of one year.
1. Enrollment in a full time undergraduate degree program.
2. Successful completion of at least 27 credit hours.
3. Maintaining a cumulative and semester grade point average of at least 2.5.
Preference is extended to first time applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or
better.
4. Successful completion of approximately 20-25 hours of spring pre-service training
appropriate to the position, including successful completion of competency exam.
5. Attendance at and participation in a personal development retreat.
6. Attendance at and participation in required training and Transition Program
preparations prior to the opening of the academic year, typically 5 days prior to start
of classes.
7. Upholding prescribed standards of ethical conduct including demonstrated respect
for diversity.
Recognized by NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) as an exemplary practice in higher education.