CAST POWER Peer Mentor Application

Applications are open through Friday, November 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Four mentors posing for a photo by the fountain at Nebraska Union.

Be part of the team that helps new Huskers find their people, build confidence, and start strong at Nebraska.

CAST POWER Peer Mentors build relationships with first-year students while developing their own leadership, communication, coaching, and problem-solving skills. You’ll join a team of student leaders committed to supporting one another, growing together, and making the transition to Nebraska better for the students who come after you.

 

Why Become a CAST POWER Peer Mentor

Find Your Community

Join a team of students who support each other, build relationships, and share responsibility for making CAST POWER stronger.

Make a Difference

Help first-year students work through many of the same questions, challenges, and transitions you experienced.

Grow as a Leader

Practice communication, coaching, facilitation, problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership through ongoing training and experience.

Build Professional Experience

Develop skills you’ll use in internships, jobs, organizations, classrooms, and future leadership roles.

Choose Your Peer Mentor Experience

Each year the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) hires a team of Peer Mentors to support the CAST POWER Program.  

There are three ways to serve as a CAST POWER Peer Mentor. Each role supports first-year students while offering a different level of involvement in the program. New applicants must apply for the one position type that best matches their interests and availability. Returning Peer Mentors may request a different position type for the upcoming year, but placement is based on program needs and is not guaranteed.

Seminar Peer Mentor

Build meaningful relationships with first-year students throughout the fall semester while helping them transition to life at Nebraska. Seminar Peer Mentors co-facilitate a weekly UGEP 120 seminar, meet individually with students, connect them with campus resources, and help create a supportive environment where students feel engaged, empowered, and supported.

Open to new and returning Peer Mentors. The number of new Peer Mentors hired will depend on the number of current Peer Mentors returning for the upcoming year.

4-Day + Seminar Peer Mentor

Do everything a Seminar Peer Mentor does, plus help lead the annual CAST POWER 4-Day Foundational Event (summer bridge experience) before the fall semester begins. You’ll welcome new students to Nebraska, lead small-group activities and conversations, help students build early connections, and begin forming relationships with the students you’ll continue mentoring throughout the fall.

Open to new and returning Peer Mentors. The number of new Peer Mentors hired will depend on the number of current Peer Mentors returning for the upcoming year.

Senior Lead Peer Mentor

Take your Peer Mentor experience to the next level through added leadership within the CAST POWER Peer Mentor team. Senior Leads continue supporting first-year students while helping strengthen the Peer Mentor community, supporting other mentors, partnering with CAST staff, contributing to training and team development, and helping shape the overall mentor experience.

Open to returning Peer Mentors with at least one year of experience as a CAST POWER Peer Mentor. We expect to hire 3-4 Senior Lead Peer Mentors.

Compensation and Time Commitment 

  • $15.00 per hour
    • Spring: approximately 2-3 hours per week
    • Fall: approximately 5-8 hours per week
    • August: additional required training and program hours
  • Early move-in expenses paid for 4-Day + Seminar Peer Mentors living on campus during August training and 4-Day Foundational Event 

What We're Looking For 

  • Currently enrolled full-time at UNL and remain enrolled throughout 2027
  • Currently participating in or previously participated in a CAST POWER seminar (UGEP 110 or UGEP 120) 
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher1
  • Available for required program commitments
  • What we value: 
    • Relationship-building
    • Communication
    • Reliability
    • Problem-solving
    • Adaptability
    • Willingness to learn
    • Commitment to supporting others
    • Ability to contribute to a healthy team

What We’re Looking For in Senior Lead Peer Mentors

Senior Lead Peer Mentors take on additional responsibility for supporting and strengthening the Peer Mentor team. We’re looking for returning mentors who have demonstrated strong performance in the Peer Mentor role and are ready to take on greater leadership within the program.

Strong Senior Lead candidates:

  • Build positive and trusting relationships with other Peer Mentors
  • Consistently follow through on responsibilities and communicate well
  • Help create a supportive, inclusive, and accountable team environment
  • Give and receive feedback with openness and respect
  • Take initiative and contribute ideas for improving the program
  • Support the growth and development of other Peer Mentors
  • Show continued interest in their own growth as a mentor and leader
A young woman with long hair smiles while making a hand gesture in the shape of a heart on a sports field.
Three students laugh and dance on a sports field. A woman in a red “Nebraska” shirt smiles with her arms raised, while another student in a red shirt faces her, and a third student in glasses watches and smiles in the background.
A group of students cheer indoors, with one woman in a blue sweater and glasses raising both arms high in celebration while smiling widely. Others around her clap and cheer with excitement.

Responsibilities of Peer Mentors 

Peer Mentors play an active role in supporting first-year students and strengthening the CAST POWER community. The role includes three main areas of responsibility: supporting student success, helping lead the CAST POWER experience, and showing up for the Peer Mentor team.

Support Student Success

Co-facilitate a weekly UGEP 120 seminar section, build relationships with 20-25 first-year students, meet individually with students, and connect students with resources and support.

Help Lead the CAST POWER Experience

Facilitate activities and conversations, share your experiences appropriately, and help create an engaging and supportive environment in and out of the classroom.

Show Up for the Peer Mentor Team

Participate in required trainings and Momentum Meetings, meet with your assigned mentor partner and seminar coach, communicate reliably, give and receive feedback, and contribute to a supportive and accountable Peer Mentor community.

Required Trainings and Program Dates

Being a CAST POWER Peer Mentor means being part of a team. All Peer Mentors participate in extensive training and ongoing development throughout the year to prepare for their work with students and continue growing in the role. Before applying, review these dates carefully. Applicants should only accept the position if they expect to meet all required training and program commitments.

 

Mandatory Training and Program Dates2

Date(s)

Description

Wednesday, February 10, 5:00-7:00 PMAll Peer Mentor Spring Kickoff

Wednesday, February 17, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, February 24, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 3, 5:00–6:00 PM

New Mentor Spring Training Sessions

Wednesday, March 10, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 24, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, March 31, 5:00–6:00 PM

Returning Mentor Spring Training Sessions

Wednesday, April 7, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, April 14, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, April 21, 5:00–6:00 PM

Wednesday, April 28, 5:00–6:00 PM

All Mentor Spring Training Sessions
Tuesday, August 10 - Friday, August 13, 2027August Training – 4-Day + Seminar
Sunday, August 15 - Wednesday, August 18, 20274-Day Foundational Event
Friday, August 20, 2027August Training – Seminar-Only
TBA (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)Mentor Momentum Meetings (Ongoing Fall Training)

Tuesday:

  • 2:00–2:50 PM (Seminar-Only & 4-Day + Seminar)
  • 3:00–3:50 PM (4-Day + Seminar)
  • 3:30–4:20 PM (Seminar-Only)
  • 4:00–4:50 PM (4-Day + Seminar)

Wednesday:

  • 11:00–11:50 AM (Seminar-Only)
  • 1:30–2:20 PM (Seminar-Only)
  • 3:00–3:50 PM (4-Day + Seminar)
  • 4:00–4:50 PM (4-Day + Seminar)

Thursday:

  • 11:00–11:50 AM (Seminar-Only)
  • 2:00–2:50 PM (Seminar-Only)
  • 3:00–3:50 PM (4-Day + Seminar)
  • 4:00–4:50 PM (4-Day + Seminar)

Friday:

  • 10:00–10:50 AM (4-Day + Seminar)
Weekly Seminar2 

 

A student in glasses and a white hoodie speaks while gesturing with her hands at a classroom table, with notebooks, markers, and a water bottle in front of her.
A group of students run across a sports field, with one student in a light shirt and black shorts leading ahead of the others. Trees, buildings, and parked cars are visible in the background.
A group of students cheer energetically on a sports field. A young woman in a black tank top claps while shouting, and a young man in a light blue shirt yells alongside her, with others cheering in the background.

 

What to Expect After You Apply3

Date

What Happens

Wednesday, October 21, 2026Applications open for all Peer Mentor positions.
Friday, November 6, 2026 at 1:00 PMApplications close for all Peer Mentor positions.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Recorded video responses are due for new Peer Mentor applicants.

New Peer Mentor applicants will receive instructions for completing their recorded video responses within three business days of submitting their application.

Wednesday, November 11 – Thursday, November 19, 2026Senior Lead Peer Mentor interviews.
Monday, November 16 – Friday, November 20, 2026First week of in-person interviews for new Peer Mentor applicants.
Monday, November 30 – Friday, December 4, 2026Final week of in-person interviews for new Peer Mentor applicants.
Friday, December 11, 2026All applicants receive an update on their application status.

 

Ready to apply? 

We recommend signing in and completing the application in one sitting. Before you begin, review the position descriptions, required dates, and hiring timeline above so you know what to expect throughout the process.

Application

Please ensure your email is entered correctly and ends in @huskers.unl.edu. Non-UNL email addresses might result in your application not being verified. 

Do you plan on having other on-campus employment? Required
Have you applied to be a Resident Assistant? Required

Resident Assistant Eligibility

If you have been selected as a Resident Assistant you are not eligible to be a 4-Day + Seminar Peer Mentor. You are eligible to be a Seminar-Only Peer Mentor only.

What position are you applying for? Required
Are you a returning Peer Mentor?
Are you applying to be a Senior Lead Peer Mentor?

References

You are not required to provide references for this application. As part of the hiring process, CAST may reach out to your current or past Peer Mentor(s) or Academic Success Coach for additional insight.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

 

Signature of Applicant

I have read the position description(s) for the position(s) I am applying for. I understand my grade point average, academic standing, and student conduct record will be verified. By typing my name I am certifying the information provided in my application is accurate and truthful to the best of my knowledge.

Thank you for your interest in the CAST POWER Peer Mentor position at the Center for Academic Success and Transition. 

For questions and accessibility accommodations, please contact Jordan Heim at jordan.heim@unl.edu.

A student in a red shirt holds up a phone in a classroom, with other people in the background.
Two students sit at a classroom table talking and laughing. One wears a red tie-dye shirt and holds a pen, while the other wears glasses and a patterned black shirt. Other people are visible in the background.
A group of students cheer outdoors on a sports field. A student in a red Nebraska shirt stands in the center with others around him smiling, clapping, and raising their arms in excitement.

1 Academic Requirements: New Peer Mentor Applicants who already have an established NU GPA must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application. First-semester students are welcome to apply before their first semester grades are finalized. Any employment offer will be contingent upon earning a term GPA of 3.0 or higher for the fall semester. Returning Peer Mentors must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the time of application and must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress throughout their employment.

2 Note on Mandatory Training and Program Dates: Peer Mentors must attend and actively participate in all training sessions and program dates. When planning Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 class schedules, Peer Mentors are required to be available for training dates (Spring 2027) and keep at least three seminar class times available (Fall 2027). Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded. 

3 Note on Hiring Timeline: The application opening and closing dates and times are fixed and will not change. All other parts of the hiring timeline are subject to change without notice. Due to the high number of applications, not all applicants will receive an interview.