Peer mentors play a critical role in the program’s mission as they help and guide their fellow PES students. They work in close collaboration with the professional staff to support and facilitate student wellbeing and success. To their students, they are advocates, educators, role models, and friends.
There are two types of peer mentors: Emerge Summer Leadership Institute Peer Mentors and Academic Year Peer Mentors. Below is information about what each position entails.
What Benefits Does the Position Provide?
- Help students in meaningful ways
- Develop leadership, communication, and time management skills
- Engage with a team learning about and working towards positive social change
- Make an impact and leave a legacy at the University
- Form friendships that last a lifetime
Students participating in the Student Success Coaching program will be given priority consideration for these roles.
Compensation
Emerge Summer Leadership Institute Peer Mentors are paid $15.25/hour, including training and preparing for the program in July. They also receive on-campus housing and meals during training and the two one-week Emerge Summer Leadership Institute sessions.
Time Commitment
End of Year Student Leadership Luncheon
- Tuesday, May 5, 12-2 p.m.
Emerge Summer Leadership Institute Training and Preparation
- Monday, July 13-Friday, July 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, July 20-Friday, July 24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Emerge Summer Leadership Institute (Session #1)
- Sunday, July 26-Friday, July 31
Emerge Summer Leadership Institute (Session #2)
- Sunday, August 2-Friday, August 7
Requirements
- Be enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate, PES student in the fall and spring
- Be available for all listed time commitments
- Be committed to positive social change
- Have a strong desire to develop high-quality, personal relationships with other PES students and connect them with University of Minnesota resources
- Exhibit strong communication, problem-solving, follow-through, responsibility, and resourcefulness
- Demonstrate patience, flexibility, organizational skills, and a willingness to learn
- Actively participate in all training, staff meetings, and programs
- Emerge Summer Leadership Institute Peer Mentors cannot enroll for classes or work another job taking place from July 13-August 7
Responsibilities
- Participate fully in the Emerge Summer Leadership Institute Peer Mentor training program
- Develop personal relationships and build community with incoming first-year students during the Emerge Summer Leadership Institute sessions
- Collaborate with professional and student staff to execute all aspects of the Emerge Summer Leadership Institute sessions
Compensation
Peer mentors are paid $15.25/hour and work, on average, 6-10 hours per week.
Time Commitment
End of Year Student Leadership Luncheon
- Tuesday, May 5, 12-2 p.m.
Fall Training
- Wednesday, August 19-Friday, August 21, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Monday, August 24-Friday, August 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Weekly Staff Meetings
- Fridays, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Requirements
- Be enrolled as a full-time, undergraduate, PES student in the fall and spring
- Be available to work 6-10 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters
- Be available for all listed time commitments
- Be committed to positive social change
- Have a strong desire to develop high-quality, personal relationships with other PES students and connect them with University of Minnesota resources
- Exhibit strong communication, problem-solving, follow-through, responsibility, and resourcefulness
- Demonstrate patience, flexibility, organizational skills, and a willingness to learn
- Actively participate in all training, staff meetings, and programs
- Commit to entire 2026-2027 academic year
- Preference given to candidates able to stay on for the 2027-2028 academic year
Additional Critical Elements
- Peer mentors are encouraged to participate in other non-academic commitments on campus and in the community. That said, the peer mentor position must be treated with high priority.
- A background check must be passed before starting the position.
- Ideal candidates are current first- and second-year PES students.
Responsibilities
- Meet regularly with assigned students throughout the academic year
- Submit well-written and timely contact notes after peer mentor meetings
- Attend weekly staff meetings on Friday afternoons from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Assist with the facilitation of weekly Friday meetings
- Meet regularly with assigned lead peer mentor
- Attend and actively participate in all training sessions
- Serve as a role model and resource for all PES students
- Support the planning, coordination, and execution of program events throughout the academic year, such as the PES Open House, PES @ Homecoming, End of Year Celebration, and more
Application Essay
Applicants must compose a short essay responding to one of the two following prompts:
Prompt 1 - Describe some of your primary strengths and how you'll use these as a peer mentor.
Prompt 2 - Describe some key ways you'll embrace and enact positive social change as a peer mentor.
The essay should be no longer than 1,000 words. Submitting an essay is required.
Get help with your application essay via Student Writing Support.
Individual Interviews
Candidates moving forward in the selection process will be invited via U of M email to complete a 30-minute individual interview. Interviews will take place with a PES professional staff member.
Information on how to prepare for your interview can be found here. For example, you can schedule a practice interview with a career counselor in your college’s career services office.
Candidates will be notified of their final hiring status no later than Monday, March 16. Candidates may be hired, placed in an alternate pool, or removed from this year’s process.
Information Sessions
Want to learn more about the position, as well as the application process? Attend one of the following information sessions!
Students may show up late for these sessions or leave early as their schedules allow.
Tuesday, February 3, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Format: Online
- Location: z.umn.edu/PMInfo
Wednesday, February 4, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
- Format: Online
- Location: z.umn.edu/PMInfo