position summary
The Learning Community Mentor (LCM) is a paraprofessional student staff member for Student Housing and Residence Life that will work to execute the goals and initiatives of a given academic Learning Community. This will primarily be accomplished by the following activities: attending and facilitating Learning Community gatherings, providing peer mentoring, contributing in planning meetings, participating in other Learning Community events and initiatives, and promoting any related academic events and initiatives hosted by given Academic Departments or sponsored by the University. The LCM will work collaboratively with and be indirectly overseen by the Faculty/Staff Coordinator of a given Academic Department to complete academic events and initiatives and will directly report to the Coordinator for Academic Initiatives and Learning Communities.
position responsibilities
The LCM role is primarily to facilitate Learning Community events and initiatives, build community with Learning Community members, refer them to campus resources to maximize student success, and encourage participation in academically purposeful activities by utilizing the objectives outlined below. The following roles and tasks provide the tools to achieve the educational mission of The University of Alabama at Birmingham, the vision of the Division of Student Affairs, and the goals of the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life in collaboration with various Academic Departments.
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- Maintains a positive and team-oriented attitude towards the community, staff, and affiliated departments.
- Supports Learning Community initiatives (i.e., programs hosted by the Learning Community and related academic departments, clubs, and organizations).
- Serves as an academic role model and actively demonstrates an interest in residential student academic engagement.
- Demonstrates practical and ethical decision-making skills.
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- Learns the names of all Learning Community participants.
- Establishes a positive relationship with designated mentees through active outreach and consistent contact throughout the year to help foster academic success.
- Advises and counsels students with personal and academic issues (within the scope of training).
- Serves as a referral agent to appropriate UAB and community resources.
- Creates promotional materials for advertising Learning Community events and initiatives.
- Encourages students to attend Learning Community, given Academic Department, and related University-sponsored programs.
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- Informs residents of responsible behavior following university policy and all COVID-19 community expectations.
- Upholds and supports all rules and regulations of the University and serves as a role model in abiding by these rules and regulations.
- Notifies and makes referrals to appropriate professional staff members if student discloses a crisis.
- Maintains confidentiality and privacy of students and incidents (must inform confidential professional staff members).
- Follows up promptly with the supervisors regarding incidents of student
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- Attends weekly staff meetings, Learning Community gatherings, hallmark events, and all other meetings at the discretion of the Coordinator for Academic Initiatives and Learning Communities and Faculty/Staff Coordinator.
- Relays student concerns to the Coordinator for Academic Initiatives and Learning Communities and the Faculty/Staff Coordinator.
- Is a productive and positive member of the Learning Community leadership team.
- Assists in documenting and promoting Learning Community events in print and on social media platforms.
- Accepts other Learning Community related duties as assigned.
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- Conveys a positive attitude toward the LCM position and its duties and responsibilities.
- Maintains a high level of customer service when acting within the role.
- Acts as a positive role model for both fellow staff members and students by not participating in questionable or unethical behavior.
- Demonstrates mature, responsible decision making.
- Responds in a timely manner to communication from supervisors and mentees.
- Works cooperatively with other staff and shares duties equitably.
- Carrys out to the fullest any responsibilities assumed or assigned.
time commitment and availability
- Must commit to 1 (academic) year of service (fall and spring terms).
- Attend all scheduled meetings, events, and training activities.
- Work between 5-10 hours per week (weekly gatherings, scheduled meetings, events, mentoring, and other responsibilities).
- All LCMs are required to attend a weekly staff meeting on Mondays at 5pm, typically lasting an hour.
- LCMs are also required to work a desk shift in one of the residence halls each week on Thursdays from 6-9pm, as well as one weekend shift each semester.
- Must arrive at the date listed below for early move-in and training prior to the Fall semester and assist with first-year move-in days.
qualifications
- At the time of application, must have a UAB semester and cumulative GPA of 2.50 or better. Failure to maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA will result in the loss of your position. Failure to achieve a semester grade point average of 2.50 or better will result in departmental academic probation.
- Must obtain sophomore status (minimum of 30 hours) by the end of the summer '22 term.
- Must be registered for a minimum of twelve (12) undergraduate-level hours or nine (9) graduate-level hours for both fall and spring term.
- Must be in good conduct standing with the university – conduct records will be verified.
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COMPETENCY ACQUIRED SKILLS AS A RESULT OF SERVING IN THE LEARNING COMMUNITY MENTOR ROLE, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO: PRACTICAL LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT SKILLS - Understand the basic requirements of the role and policies and procedures associated with the position.
- Understand Student Housing and Residence Life’s and given Academic Department’s vision and mission.
- Self-identify their strengths and weakness.
- Engage in process improvement of existing procedures.
- Demonstrate autonomous function in their role through actions such as time-management and self-regulation.
CIVIC IDENTITY & COMMITMENT TO SERVICE - Identify resources to increase their knowledge of civic responsibility.
- Participate in organizations and activities that enhance their collegiate experience that fosters a greater sense of community within UAB.
CRITICAL THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING - Identify a problem when it exists.
- Understand protocols and procedures related to their role.
- Identify pertinent resources for appropriate solutions to problems.
- Articulate the importance of given protocols and procedures.
- Understand their level of authority in the decision-making process.
TECHNOLOGY - Demonstrate basic knowledge of the operation of equipment within the context of their professional role.
- Follow protocol.
CULTURAL HUMILITY & GLOBAL FLUENCY - Engage in activities that increase a global perspective.
- Exhibit respect and openness to work across differences.
- Understand the perspective of differences and treat others fairly.
PROFESSIONALISM - Define and proficiently execute the basic functions of their role in relation to their functional area.
- Arrive to your functional area, prepared to work on time.
- Refer to the code of ethics related to the functional role, including all applicable laws.
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- On-campus housing room assignment. Utilities including cable television and internet included.
- Room Benefit: LCMs receive half-off the charge of housing as remuneration.
- Placement: Although LCMs may be asked for their preference in the student population, placement is at the ultimate discretion of the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life.
- Discounted Meal Plan ($500 deducted from the meal plan of your choice OR added as Dining Dollars).
- Early arrival and move-in to campus for fall semester.
- Early registration for classes
- The opportunity to sign up for optional desk coverage hours at the rate of $9.25/hour in the SHRL Tutoring Lab.
- Non-tangible benefits: The opportunity to work with a diverse group of individuals while developing leadership, problem-solving, crisis management, communication, organization, time management, and peer counseling skills.
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Event: Date: LCM Arrival Sunday, August 4, 2024 by 5:00pm Fall Training August 5-11, 2024 LCMs released for summer April 25, 2025 Weekly Staff Meetings Mondays at 5pm (typically lasting 1 hour). Weekday Desk Shift Thursdays from 6-9pm Learning Community Events Various (typically lasting 1 hour to 1.5 hours in length)