Academic Mentor - STUDENT

North Central College; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Job summary

A private liberal arts college seeks Academic Mentors for their summer program. The role involves guiding high school Freedom Scholars in academic work, including leading seminars, providing feedback, and promoting an inclusive environment. Candidates should have strong communication skills, familiarity with the college application process, and an ability to work effectively with diverse students. This is an excellent opportunity for rising college sophomores, juniors, or seniors interested in education and mentorship.

Qualifications

• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, staff, and faculty.
• Skill in conflict resolution and building social and emotional learning.
• Familiarity with college application process and college readiness skills.

Responsibilities

• Attend workshops and meetings to support the Freedom Scholars.
• Lead morning seminars and assist students with their reflection pieces.
• Devise strategies to motivate Freedom Scholars in academic work.

Skills

Collaboration with students, staff, and faculty

Conflict resolution skills

Communication with diverse backgrounds

Education

Rising college sophomore, junior or senior

Job description

Academic Mentors’ duties will begin in early May 2023 when they will begin studying the works to be read in the summer seminars with guidance from the CHP Faculty and Teaching Fellows.

They will attend an evening information session for admitted Scholars and parents in late May. They will participate in a three-day orientation to the CHP on June 7th through 9th and an orientation for Scholars on Sunday, June 11.

Their daily duties during the summer program will begin at 8 am M-F and end at 2 pm. During mornings, they will attend a staff meeting from 8:00 – 8:30 am, breakfast, and then Morning Muster from 9 – 10 am. They will also attend and participate in two hour-long morning seminars. After lunch, they will lead an “Academic Debrief” to close their day with the Scholars they have joined in seminar, helping them gather thoughts for their writing reflections on the seminar discussions. They will be joined in this debrief by two Residential Mentors, who will help the Scholars through the process of reading for the next day’s seminars and offer mentoring on composing their reflection pieces.

With guidance and supervision from the CHP faculty, Academic Mentors will be responsible for devising and deploying strategies, as appropriate on a given day, to motivate Freedom Scholars in their academic work. In particular, they will

• Offer feedback designed to stimulate and refine high school students’ participation in small discussion seminars on complex texts from classic to contemporary times;
• Help high school students devise strategies for written reflections on seminar texts and discussions;
• Coach high school students in reading strategies, study habits and time-management.

At 2:00 pm they will hand off supervision of the Freedom Scholars to the Residential Mentors.

Academic Mentors will have the opportunity to attend off‑campus field trips with the Freedom Scholars though these trips will be staffed officially by Residential Mentors.

Other Key Responsibilities

1. Support the College’s mission, vision and values, and contribute to the advancement of the College’s Strategic Plan.
2. Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement.
3. Demonstrate civil and inclusive behavior when interacting with staff, faculty, students and visitors to the College. Promote a flexible, collaborative and inclusive work and living environment and engage in educational opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of diversity and inclusion.

Job Qualifications

• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with students, staff, and faculty.
• Skill in conflict resolution and building social and emotional learning as well as communication, especially with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Familiarity with college application process and college readiness skills, particularly for students who are first‑generation college‑goers, from low‑income families or families of historically marginalized groups.

Distinguishing Characteristics

• Strong communication, writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrating proficiency in presenting and communicating complex ideas in both written and oral forms.
• Demonstrated interest in civic or political issues.
• Experience organizing or leading others.
• Must be a rising college sophomore, junior or senior or have graduated within the last two years and who has demonstrated excellence in college writing courses.
• Prior work with low‑income and first‑generation students or experience as such is desired.
• Ability or interest in sports or expressive or visual arts (not required but appreciated).
• Knowledge of first aid and CPR (not required but appreciated).
• WSI or lifeguard certificate (not required but appreciated).

EEO Statement

North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. NCC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify the Office of Human Resources at 630-637-5757 or [e-mail].
Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis.