Honors Peer Academic Advisor Job Description

Honors PAAs hold office hours and advise both prospective and currently enrolled CHP students about UCI, the Honors Program, and various campus resources. They are somewhat different from other PAAs on campus because they also work/coordinate with CHP staff and student leaders on various extracurricular programs and activities (for example, faculty coffee hours; events planned in the honors housing facilities or by the Campuswide Honors Student Council [CHSC], the Honors Experience Day and ProFro, the Peer Mentor program, and some of the social/cultural events). They have a substantial role in the orientation of new CHP freshmen, in particular through their mandatory group meetings during Welcome Week. They facilitate communication with other students as well, and in particular, they focus on developing student-faculty interactions. Together with the Honors Advisors and other CHP staff, Honors PAAs help create and develop the close-knit community that is an essential part of the Campuswide Honors Program at UC Irvine.

Responsibilities:

• Provide information to CHP students regarding campus resources and support services; provide counseling in matters such as course selection, schedule planning, honors curriculum and program policies, the petition process, the research and thesis process, and other related honors issues. May also provide general information about breadth & majors; curriculum policies, procedures and requirements; and procedures re: graduate/professional school applications, scholarship opportunities, and other honors opportunities & campus awards. Advise prospective applicants to the CHP regarding the requirements & procedures for admission & graduation
• Develop, coordinate and implement student/faculty interactions and other academically oriented events (i.e. workshops, special advising programs). Work with Honors staff and other CHP student leaders (through the Student Council and honors housing options) to advertise & provide a range of social, cultural, and extracurricular events for all CHP students. Attend CHSC meetings on a regular basis & be involved in the CHP community.
• Provide consultation and assistance to various campus organizations that require information about honors students and/or the Honors Program (orientation/recruitment and student panels).
• Serve as a liaison between administrative personnel, faculty, and honors students in resolving advising concerns or problems; refer students as needed. Convey honors student concerns/issues to CHP staff, as appropriate.

• Participate in all training seminars (general & "in unit") prior to employment (as outlined in this application).

• As a member of the Academic Advisory Committee (AAC), meet regularly with other campus PAAs to make recommendations for advising improvement, discuss advising problems, and receive further training as required; also participate with other PAAs in events such as campus advising events, Explore UCI, and Wayzgoose/Celebrate UCI.
• Assist in planning & executing special projects/events (such as PROFRO, Honors Experience Day, beach bonfires, and the annual camping retreat). Evaluate and offer feedback after completion.

• Current student in good standing with the CHP, with a minimum GPA of 3.2
• As of Fall 2008, be at least third year status(as defined by year in school, not by units completed).
• Must intend to hold the Honors Peer Academic Advising position for the full academic year (2008-2009)
• Have clearly demonstrated leadership skills & experience in developing/coordinating a variety of academic/social programs.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop supportive interactions with other students, both one-on-one and within groups.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team-oriented environment
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously

• Students who have completed/will complete all honors course sequences required by the CHP
• Experience with computers & software (accessing the Internet, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, or some other database program, using e-mail & AIM, desktop publishing/experience creating flyers/newsletters)

• Experience in paraprofessional counseling and speaking, on an individual and group basis.
• Referral skills and cooperative working skills with University staff members.
• Increased awareness of University services and academic program operations.

• Spring 2008 (Thursdays, 5 - 7 PM MANDATORY!) + some extra hours (TBA) to be spent in Honors Office (helping give out Fall authorization codes, planning CHP Spring BBQ, and participating in Celebrate UCI Honors Information Panel.
• Additional training in Honors Office*(15 hrs) during week before Welcome Week (MANDATORY)
• General PAA Refresher course on the Friday before Welcome Week (MANDATORY).

• Mid-late August, 2008: if not available in person, must be "contactable" in some way, to work on PAA part of August newsletter (re: freshmen meetings & other Welcome Week activities).
• September 15-19 (the week before Welcome Week): *Additional training (15 hrs) in Honors Office. Will also help prepare and finalize plans for Welcome Week events and early fall activities.
• During Welcome Week: 20 hours (includes freshmen meetings & CHP New Student Orientation Programs)
• During Academic Year: 10 hours/week. This includes participation in all Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) meetings (currently held every even week of each quarter, on Wednesdays from 5-6 PM), and other campus PAA activities throughout the year. Also includes other required meetings, such as the weekly ones with the Honors Advisors and the CHSC.
• Will also be asked to help with campuswide events during the year, such as Celebrate UCI and Explore UCI.

We strongly encourage you to contact a current Honors PAA at (949) 824-8409/chp-paa@uci.edu, if you have questions or are unsure what this position entails. For additional information, you may also contact either Ryan Lombardini or Susan Csikesz, Honors Advisor, (949) 824-5461.