BECOMING A PEER ADVISOR

What is a peer advisor?

Peer advisors are DSC students that excel in their curriculum, are effective communicators, and students that understand the challenges of beginning college. Peer advisors have the desire and ability to help new students through the transition to DSC and are available to assist walk-in students in the Academic Advisement Center. Peer advisors have the knowledge of the general education requirements, pre-requisite information for certificates and degrees, and the knowledge to refer you to the proper advisor when you reach your major requirements. Peer advisors participate in freshman orientation throughout the summer and introduce incoming freshmen to the DSC campus. The peer advisors enjoy forming a connection that allows them to be available throughout the year.

Meet the Peer Advisors

Becoming a peer advisor!

A peer advisor position is an entry-level leadership role that enhances the student orientation sessions and acts as a liaison between advisors and students. Each peer advisor is assigned a group of students and is responsible for mentoring the students. Peer advisors are responsible for helping to make their group’s experience enjoyable, eventful and informative during orientation and follow up with students who need further assistance in the Academic Advisement Center.

Students interested in becoming a peer advisor should fill out a peer advisor application found at the bottom of this page.

To be considered for the peer advisor position a student must:

• Plan to be enrolled for fall and spring semesters.
• Be available on Mondays and Tuesdays starting the second week in May through the second week in August.
• Meet all qualifications indicated below.
• Be available to assist in the Academic Advisement Center.

The job criteria are as follows:
Qualifications

• Sophomore (30 or more credits)
• 3.0 GPA or above
• Matriculated in a degree seeking program
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently to accomplish projects
• Knowledge of DSC policies, registration and admissions procedures, and school relation information
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion when appropriate
• Ability to work with diverse student body, faculty and staff

Duties

• Assist students in choosing classes, setting up schedules, and registering for classes
• Take part in Freshman Orientation with multiple responsibilities
• Assist with early bird registration of high school seniors
• Answer phones, direct appointments and direct walk-in students to the appropriate advisor
• Maintain accurate scheduling for academic advisors
• Assist academic advisors when needed
• Assist other departments as needed to maintain the continuity of the registration and admissions procedures

LEAD PEER ADVISOR ROLE (In addition to the qualifications and duties above)

• Assist with training newly-hired peer advisors
• Assist with building peer advisors' schedules
• Participate in behind the scenes operations of the O&R process
• Stay current with new programs/degrees/policies/procedures
• Train peer advisors about new programs/degrees/policies/procedures
• Schedule peer advisement meetings
• Interface with department chairs and faculty

THEMATIC PEER ADVISORS ROLE (In addition to the qualifications and duties above)

• Assist students with schedules and the application/acceptance process to programs/AAS/Bachelor degrees.

TRANSFER PEER ADVISOR ROLE (In addition to the qualifications and duties above)

• Assist transfer students and read transcripts.