Academic Mentors serve as peer academic consultants and mentors to a group of 35-45 incoming first year students. They work closely with Summer Institute faculty, engaging fully with the material in faculty members' courses—including readings, discussions and short assignments—as they introduce OUS scholars to the demands of those courses and to broader habits of mind and skills important to college-level work. It must be made clear that the Academic Mentor's role is to assist scholars in their academic endeavors. Therefore, we are asking Academic Mentors to refrain from editing papers, synthesizing readings, and other forms of completing the assignments for the scholars. Rather we are asking that Academic Mentors work with OUS scholars in developing their academic skills – critical reading, writing, and speaking through the development of analytical (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods) and interpretative proficiencies, and scientific reasoning – as well as assist them in developing notions of time management through the balancing of social, academic, and personal time commitments.
In addition, Academic Mentors live in the dormitory with the incoming class and work with the Summer OUS Institute Community Leaders (CLs) in building community and extracurricular programming. We ask that Academic Mentors work with the CLs regarding the living and learning community, which we will cover during our training sessions. We also expect Academic Mentors to participate in the extracurricular and community building activities and support the CLs in these endeavors.
Academic Mentors go through an intensive training process under the mentorship of the Summer Institute staff, that includes, the Senior Associate Director of OUS Frank Kuan and the Academic Director of OUS John D. Palmer. Academic Mentors then bring this training to their mentoring and academic advising of incoming students. Importantly, they will help our incoming students solve problems, build relationships, take advantage of all the opportunities Colgate has to offer, and develop a sense of partnership, ownership, and agency in Colgate's academic and social cultures.
The dates of employment are June 30 – August 11, 2022 (which includes both the Training Days, plus the five weeks of the Summer Institute). Academic Mentors receive a very competitive wage, and full room and board as their compensation package.
Professional Experience/Qualifications:
The ability to move critical theory into praxis in working directly with BIPOC and first-generation students, specifically first year incoming students.
Strong mentoring skills that support the growth and development of BIPOC and first-generation students on a predominantly white, economically affluent, and academically elite institution of higher education.
Ability to work as a member of a team, to function collaboratively, and to initiate independently.
Candidates must be capable of creating and maintaining productive and collegial working relationships with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and visitors.
Preferred Qualifications:
A current valid driver's license, in accordance with the University's Driver Safety and Motor Vehicle Use Policy and willing to operate Colgate-owned vehicles
Education:
Bachelor's degree with graduate school experience/degree in higher education preferred.
Other Information:
Please submit the following materials to Frank Kuan, Associate Director of the Office of Undergraduate Studies, Colgate University, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346, no later than February 28, 2022:
● A cover letter expressing interest in the position. Write with your own voice and allow your letter to offer a sense of who you are, why you are really interested in this position, and what you think distinguishes you as an Academic Mentor applicant. Express how your undergraduate and graduate school experiences inform your mentoring approach from both a theoretical and praxis position.
We would also like you to describe in detail the scholarly approaches and academic skills (in terms of critical thinking, writing, and qualitative, quantitative, or scientific reasoning) that you would like to help OUS scholars acquire in their roles as peer academic consultants and mentors to help incoming students grow as successful scholars.
Be sure to convey the levels of your own emotional or relational intelligence, your approaches to handling conflict, and the insights or wisdom you will bring in working as a team to help incoming students through a very demanding transition process (students have just graduated from high school and are taking two 15-week courses in a condensed 5-week period). Our Summer Institute team has to be very strong to provide support and guidance not only to the students but also to each other.
● Current résumé with references
● Copy of transcript (unofficial is fine).
Selected applicants will be notified by email with an invitation to interview sometime during the last week of March. We intend to make hiring decisions by late-March with training in early April.
Questions?
Should you have further questions about the position or the selection process, please contact Professor John D. Palmer (jpalmer@colgate.edu) or Frank Kuan (fkuan@colgate.edu).
EEO Statement:
It is the policy of Colgate University not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of their race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, protected Veteran Status, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, genetic information, victims of domestic violence and stalking, familial status, and all other categories covered by law. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training at all levels of employment. Colgate University will not discharge or discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their own compensation or the compensation of another employee or applicant.
Internal Number: 3882
About Colgate University
Colgate University is a highly selective residential liberal arts institution distinguished by academic excellence and interdisciplinary inquiry. Located on a beautiful campus in upstate New York, Colgate takes pride in the active engagement of its students and faculty in local, national, and global communities.
