BUCS Academy Student Mentor, Temporary

ETSU•Johnson City, TN

About The Position

BUCS Academy Student Mentors (BAMs) help incoming students transition to college during BUCS Academy. Each mentor serves as a consistent peer connection for a small group of students, helping them build community, navigate campus, connect with resources, and develop confidence before their first semester at ETSU. Mentors are expected to listen, build relationships, model appropriate college behavior, recognize when students need help, and guide them toward appropriate support; they are not expected to have all the answers. Mentors prepare during the Spring 2027 semester by attending three required training sessions, completing the NASPA Certified Peer Educator (CPE) certification provided and paid for by BUCS Academy, joining two scheduled online meet-ups with BA students, and attending two required full training days immediately before the Academy. During the intensive residential program, mentors must be available for the full Academy period, participate in regular staff meetings, and attend at least one individual meeting with BA staff. Detailed schedules and work expectations will be provided before employment begins. The formal mentor role is specific to BUCS Academy. Mentors are not expected to continue serving as assigned mentors after the Academy ends.

Requirements

Be a current ETSU student in good academic and conduct standing.
Be dependable and able to follow through on commitments.
Be comfortable building relationships with students whose experiences may differ from their own.
Be able to listen, communicate clearly, and ask for help when unsure what to do.
Be willing to receive feedback and work as part of a team.
Be interested in helping new students navigate ETSU and college life.
Attend all required training sessions, meet-ups, and training days, and be available for the full Academy period.

Responsibilities

Build supportive, appropriate relationships with assigned BUCS Academy students.
Help students adjust to college life, expectations, and living on campus.
Connect students with ETSU resources and staff when they need additional support.
Encourage participation, belonging, independence, and help-seeking.
Participate in and help facilitate Academy activities, workshops, excursions, and community-building.
Communicate student concerns appropriately and promptly to BUCS Academy staff.
Model reliability, respectful communication, good judgment, and appropriate boundaries.
Collaborate with other Student Mentors and BUCS Academy staff.
Attend all three required spring training sessions.
Complete the NASPA Certified Peer Educator certification.
Participate in two scheduled online meet-ups with BA students.
Attend two required full training days immediately before BUCS Academy begins.
Be available for the full Academy period and participate in regular staff meetings and at least one individual meeting with BA staff during the Academy.