Each WISE Village floor has Resident Advisors (RAs) and Resident Mentors. Resident Mentors serve as para-professionals and assist both University Housing and the WISE Program by living and working with the residents in the WISE Village.

What's the difference between an RA and a Mentor?

RAs serve as liaisons between University Housing and residents. Under the supervision of the Residence Director and the Residence Life Coordinator, RAs help to create and maintain an atmosphere conducive to studying within the residence hall, serve as mediator for residents in conflict with one another, enforce Housing policies, help to build community, etc.

Mentors are upperclass women in science and engineering who have "been there/done that" and can help younger students academically and socially. Under the supervision of the WISE Director, mentors work with RAs to build community in the WISE Village. Mentors also facilitate Study Groups and are involved in academic programming within the WISE Village.

Mentor Purpose:

• Enhance the first year experience for students participating in the WISE Program. Mentors will assist the first-year students in their transition from high school to the college environment through mentoring, tutoring, and community building
• Encourage sophomore WISE students to continue making connections within WISE and beyond, and to help them find leadership, internship, research and other kinds of opportunities that will help them in their development

WISE Mentors:

• Serve as role models
• Help students become familiar with university resources, advise and refer residents to appropriate university resources as the need arises
• Help organize and facilitate study groups in the core math and science courses
• Help coordinate the WISE Speakers Series and other events as needed
• Assist with the WISE Summer Bridge Program
• Are available for formal and informal interaction with students in the program
• Work with RAs and other staff to build community in the WISE Village
• Commit to working a minimum of 10 hours per week
• Attend periodic meetings with the WISE staff and Residence Life staff

Mentor Qualifications:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.0 at time of application
• Major in a science or engineering field
• Will have completed a minimum of 29 credits by Fall 2008
• Experience living in a residence hall setting
• Willing to live in Lee Hall
• Good judicial standing
• Capable of working independently and in groups
• Organizational, problem-solving and interpersonal skills
• Awareness of campus resources and services
• Interested in helping others!

Mentor Benefits:

• Yearly compensation package totaling $2,000 (Mentors will be responsible for all room charges)
• Guaranteed room assignment in Lee Hall (choose your own roommate)
• Enhanced academic focus
• Learn valuable leadership, time management, communication and teamwork skills
• Experience the satisfaction of helping others

So You Want to Be a Mentor? Apply! We're hiring for 2007-2008.
If you have the desire to help other students succeed and you meet the minimum qualifications for being a WISE resident mentor, please click here for more information, including the hiring process timeline and the link to the on-line application.

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