Applications for Senior Lead Peer Mentors Now Open

CAST POWER Peer Mentor Application

Applications for Peer Mentors Open November 3, 2025

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

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

Applicants have multiple options to choose from when applying.  

  • Seminar-Only Peer Mentor (formerly 110 Peer Mentor) – work with the students in the UGEP 120 seminar-only classes (14 positions available)
  • 4-Day + Seminar Peer Mentor (formerly 120 Peer Mentor) – work with students who participate in the Four-Day Foundational Event and the UGEP 120 seminar classes (32 positions available)
  • Senior Lead Peer Mentor – work with students in a UGEP 120 seminar class and provide mentorship, guidance, and support for CAST POWER Program (3 positions available)

Compensation 

  • Starting at $15.00 per hour (5-8 hours on average per week during the fall semester) 
  • Early move-in expenses paid for 4-Day + Seminar Peer Mentors living on-campus during August training and 4-Day Foundational Event 

Qualifications for All Peer Mentors 

  • Currently enrolled full-time at UNL 
  • Participated in either a CAST POWER seminar (UGEP 110 or UGEP 120) 
  • Cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher 
  • Demonstrate the following: 
    • Strong communication and interpersonal skills 
    • Ability to build relationships and connect with others 
    • Time management and organizational skills 
    • Problem-solving and critical thinking 
    • Adaptability to work with diverse student needs 

Additional Qualifications for Senior Lead Peer Mentors 

  • Must meet all qualifications as a Peer Mentor 
  • Must have one year prior experience as a CAST POWER or OSSP Peer Mentor  
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor peers effectively 
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 for All Peer Mentors 

  • Must be available for all training, professional development, and program dates (see detailed table below) 
  • Attend and co-facilitate weekly seminar course 
  • Regularly communicate with 20-25 first-year students 
  • Lead small group activities and discussions 
  • Be willing to share your experiences as a peer mentor in a variety of forums 
  • Schedule and facilitate required one-on-one meetings with your assigned students 
  • Attend weekly meetings with your assigned CAST staff partner 
  • Abide by Center for Academic Success and Transition policies and procedures 
  • Abide by University of Nebraska–Lincoln policies and procedures and the University of Nebraska Student Code of Conduct

Additional Responsibilities for Senior Lead Peer Mentors 

  • Must fulfill all responsibilities as a Peer Mentor 
  • Serve as a mentor and role model for other Peer Mentors, providing guidance and feedback 
  • Assist with Peer Mentor training sessions, including leading breakout groups or team-building activities 
  • Serve as a resource to answer questions, address challenges, and share strategies for success with fellow mentors 
  • Collaborate with CAST staff to ensure the smooth implementation of the August foundational event and Fall seminar courses 
  • Contribute to evaluating and improving the Peer Mentor experience 

 

Mandatory Training and Program Dates*

Date(s)

Description

TBAAll Peer Mentor Spring Kickoff
TBASpring Semester Training Sessions
Tuesday, August 18 - Friday, August 14, 2026August Training – 4-Day + Seminar
Sunday, August 16 - Wednesday, August 19, 20264-Day
Friday, August 21, 2026August Training – Seminar-Only
TBA (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)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)

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 Seminar*** 

 

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.

 

Estimated Hiring Timeline**

Date(s)

Description

Tuesday, October 14, 2025Applications for Senior Lead Peer Mentors open at 5:00 PM.
Friday, October 31, 2025Applications for Senior Leader Peer Mentors due at 1:00 PM. 
Monday, November 3, 2025Applications open for new and returning Peer Mentors.
Wednesday, November 5 - Friday, November 14Interviews for Senior Lead Peer Mentors.
Friday, November 14, 2025Applications for new and returning Peer Mentors close at 1:00 PM.
Monday, November 17, 2025 – Friday, December 5, 2025Interview for new Peer Mentors.
Friday, November 21, 2025Returning Peer Mentors and Senior Lead Peer Mentors will be updated on the status of their applications.
Wednesday, December 10 – Friday, December 12, 2025All new Peer Mentor applicants will be updated on the status of their applications.

 

Are you applying to be a Senior Lead Peer Mentor? Required

Excellent! Please complete the application and await further instructions. 

At this time, applications are only open for the Senior Lead Peer Mentor positions. Applications for new and returning Peer Mentor positions will open on Monday, November 3. 

Do you plan on having other on-campus employment?
Will you be living in on-campus housing in the Fall 2026 semester?
Have you applied to be a Resident Assistant?

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.

References

You are not required to submit contact information for a reference. During the hiring process, the Center for Academic Success and Transition might reach out to your peer mentor(s) or Academic Success Coach.

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.

I have read the position description(s) for the position(s) I am applying for.

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.

* Note on Mandatory Training and Program Dates: Peer Mentors must attend and actively participate in all training sessions and program dates. When planning Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 class schedules, Peer Mentors are required to be available for training dates (Spring 2026) and keep at least three seminar class times available (Fall 2026). Failure to meet this requirement may result in the job offer being rescinded. Each Peer Mentor will be paired with another Peer Mentor for one weekly seminar class. Pairings will be announced before August 2026. 

** 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.