BASE Program Peer Mentor at Bridgewater College: Academic Affairs

Bridgewater College; Bridgewater (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Bridgewater College seeks a Program Mentor for the BASE Program to support first‑year students in building independence, social connections, and personal growth. You will meet weekly with a mentee, plan activities, and help them navigate campus life.

You will connect mentees with campus resources, maintain confidentiality, and participate in quarterly check‑ins with the BASE Program Coordinator. This role emphasizes empathy, boundaries, and a commitment to neurodiverse learners.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Desire to help peers navigate the demands of college.
• Willingness to provide emotional, social, and practical support.
• Knowledge of boundaries and ability to set limits with others.
• Willingness to learn and implement best practices for working with neurodivergent peers.

Responsibilities

• Meet with mentee once a week for one hour to do a pre‑determined activity.
• Support mentee’s connection to the broader campus community.
• Provide guidance and connect mentee with campus resources.
• Maintain confidentiality of BASE Program students at all times.
• Complete a short weekly report covering the activity.
• Participate in quarterly check‑ins with the BASE Program Coordinator.

Skills

Empathy & peer support

Communication skills

Boundaries & confidentiality

Neurodiversity practices

Education

GPA ≥ 3.0

Job description

Position Title: Program Mentor for the BASE Program

Goal of the Position: To develop relationships and support students in the BASE Program by promoting independence, positive peer relationships, decision‑making, and personal development.

Role

The program mentor’s role is to support their mentees by:

• Meeting with their mentee once a week for one hour for a pre-determined activity
• Supporting the mentee’s connection to the broader campus community.
• Empowering the mentee to resolve issues by providing guidance and connecting them with appropriate campus resources.
• Acknowledging the mentee’s strengths and talents and encouraging them to use them on campus.
• When available, attending BASE group events with their mentee to help them engage socially in a group setting
• Participate in a a monthly BASE Program Social Committee to plan monthly social events

Responsibilities

• Program mentors will participate in the early move-in process, assisting BASE students in adjusting to 1st year campus life or their return to campus.
• Program mentors will be open to meet with their assigned BASE Program participant once a week for at least one hour.
• During this hour, mentors and mentees will engage in an activity they both agree on (study together, eat lunch, attend a campus event together, etc.).
• During their weekly activity, they will conduct a brief check‑in with the BASE Program participant, discuss student needs, offer life skills or problem‑solving guidance if requested, and connect them to any additional appropriate campus resources.
• After the weekly activity, they will complete a short report that briefly covers your weekly activity.
• They will maintain confidentiality of BASE Program students at all times.
• They will participate in check‑ins with the BASE Program Coordinator at once a quarter.
• They will keep the BASE Program Coordinator updated with any concerns or problems.
• They will seek assistance from the Coordinator if questions arise that they cannot answer

Qualifications

• Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA
• A desire to help peers navigate the demands of college
• A willingness to provide emotional, social, and practical support within limits
• Knowledge of one’s boundaries and the ability to set limits with others
• A willingness to learn and implement current and best practices in working with neurodivergent peers and respect for our neurodiverse campus community.

Time Commitment and Details

• Mentors must commit to a minimum time commitment of one hour per week per mentee.
• Mentors may spend additional time with their mentee(s) as needed, but no more than four hours per week.
• The day and time of the weekly activity is determined with both the mentor and mentee to allow them to find a time that works with both schedules.
• Mentors should be available by phone/email contact within reason.
• Mentors must engage in a minimum of one check‑in meeting with the BASE Program Coordinator per quarter (two per semester).
• Program mentors may be required to arrive to campus 1‑3 days before first‑year fall semester move‑in.
• Program mentors will be expected to work both Fall and Spring semesters. They are not expected to work over breaks.

Supervision/Training

• Program mentors will be supervised by the BASE Program Coordinator.
• Program mentors will have a training at the beginning of both Fall and Spring semester (paid).