GPS Peer Leader Program

This position will directly allow the student to gain experience in the following Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS):

• Intellectual Growth
• Effective Communication
• Career Choices
• Leadership Development
• Meaningful Interpersonal Relationships
• Independence
• Collaboration
• Appreciating Diversity
• Personal and Educational Goals

The GPS Peer Leader works within the Gateway Program Seminar and reports to the Program Coordinator of GPS. This position will work a maximum of 5 hours per week and will not exceed that amount unless directed by the Program Coordinator or Faculty Director.  He/She/Ze will examine the complementary processes of teaching and learning from both a theoretical and pragmatic perspective. Students will learn to engage, listen, and assist first-year students in a mature and professional manner relating to their adjustment to UCCS and academic success. Students will also work with assigned faculty to contribute to the instruction of their designated Gateway Program Seminar class.

This position reports directly to Eden Klinedinst, GPS Program Coordinator, but will receive day-to-day co-supervision from assigned GPS Faculty, as well as regular check-ins and guidance from the Senior Peer Leader, Alyssa Langness. This position will be evaluated at the conclusion of each semester to determine the quality and effectiveness of the work accomplished.  

• Faculty and students will be given brief survey at the end of each semester to contribute to the evaluation of the peer leader
• Peer leaders may be terminated at the end of each semester and may need to reapply due to the nature of the student employment contract.
• All paperwork for hire/supervision/termination will be completed by the Lead Peer Leader and Faculty Director
• Faculty will be responsible for tracking Peer Leader classroom hours and will keep the GPS Program Coordinator apprised. Peer Leaders will submit an activity log to the GPS Program Coordinator for the remaining two hours on a bi-weekly basis

This position reports directly to Eden Klinedinst, GPS Program Coordinator, but will receive day-to-day co-supervision from assigned GPS Faculty, as well as regular check-ins and guidance from the Senior Peer Leader, Alyssa Langness. This position will be evaluated at the conclusion of each semester to determine the quality and effectiveness of the work accomplished.  

• Faculty and students will be given brief survey at the end of each semester to contribute to the evaluation of the peer leader
• Peer leaders may be terminated at the end of each semester and may need to reapply due to the nature of the student employment contract.
• All paperwork for hire/supervision/termination will be completed by the Lead Peer Leader and Faculty Director
• Faculty will be responsible for tracking Peer Leader classroom hours and will keep the GPS Program Coordinator apprised. Peer Leaders will submit an activity log to the GPS Program Coordinator for the remaining two hours on a bi-weekly basis

• Work hour breakdown (not to exceed 5 hours per week):
  • 3 hours of classroom contact
  • 2 hours for one-on-one meetings, professional development, and/or other assigned tasks
  • All peer leader hours must have direct interaction/contact with students
• This position will coordinate and collaborate with assigned GPS instructor(s) in planning course curriculum; may include presentations on specific topics, facilitating group discussions, sharing personal experiences and actively reaching out to students
• Attend and participate in all scheduled trainings, programs, meetings, and class sessions
• Create and be prepared to present lessons and workshops for students
• Become knowledge experts in campus resources and departments in order to appropriately refer students when needed
• Meet one-on-one with students (approximately 15-minute sessions), being mindful not to exceed 5-hour work week
• Communicate with GPS instructor about any student issues/concerns
• Assist in developing an inclusive classroom environment that is open to all points of view
• Peer Leaders cannot grade
• ***For the fall 2024 semester, Peer Leaders will be required to work at one of the two Days of Service events in September or October (exact dates TBD). Peer Leaders will be compensated for 3-4 hours of work to act as a Site Coordinator for the organizations GPS is partnering with to help students complete their service-learning projects. For more information, please email eklinedi@uccs.edu.

• Must view all recorded trainings and pass quizzes with an 80% or higher before the start of the semester.
• Must complete all Skillsoft trainings listed on the Check-In Procedures form before the start of the semester.
• Peer Leaders will be given a copy of the GPS text prior to the beginning of the semester to familiarize themselves with the GPS textbook.
• Peer Leaders must connect with instructor(s) prior to the beginning of the semester to review expectations, syllabus, and course action plan.

• Must attend GPS Gateway Days (fall semester only/if applicable)
• Must be actively enrolled as a UCCS student and include the intent to enroll for the following semester
• Must be a sophomore, junior, or senior standing
• Must have successfully completed one academic year at UCCS
• Must have successfully passed GPS with a B or higher
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills

• The position will begin the week before Gateway Days (fall semester only) and be evaluated at the end each semester
• This position receives $17 per hour and will be paid out bi-weekly
• Compensation for this position does not include benefits, and the Peer Leader may not work more than 5 hours a week
• Peer Leaders will be held to the standard of no more than 25 hours per week for all student employment positions (in the case the student is working more than one campus position)
• This position will be classified as a Student Assistant

Peer Leaders are assigned to GPS courses primarily based on availability. We gather schedules from prospective Peer Leaders and compare them to when the GPS courses are running to see where we can plug them in. This raises the likelihood that all faculty who requested a Peer Leader will have one and that all qualified Peer Leaders will have a place. Faculty recommendations for specific Peer Leaders and your own course preferences are considered, but we can’t make any guarantees for placement. Please note that Peer Leaders assigned to pre-term courses (1-week intensive from 8/19/24-8/23/24) are only allowed to work 20 hours maximum for the week.