About the Course

PD 1015: Next Bearcat Lives Here is a 3-credit first-year seminar course in the College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies (CCPS) that fulfills both first-year and career education general education requirements. Serving a variety of student populations, including College of Arts & Sciences majors, exploratory, pre-professional, and other specialized groups, each section is capped at 28 typically grouped by major or shared commonality. The course supports students’ transition to UC by fostering a sense of belonging and classroom community, connecting them with campus resources and networks, and guiding their exploration of academic and professional pathways.

Position Summary

The PD 1015 Peer Instructor (PI) is an on-campus co-op position that plays a critical role in the success, transition, and professional growth of first-year students enrolled in one section of PD 1015 during fall 2026. In collaboration with the PD 1015 Instructor, the PI serves as a co-facilitator, mentor, and connector delivering a positive and affirming curricular experience. The start date is August 17 and the end date is December 4, 2026. Note, if the Peer Instructor is an Arts & Sciences major, they may be eligible to earn co-op credit towards the A&S co-op track.

Primary Duties

1) Co-facilitator

• Prior to the semester, provide feedback and a student perspective on the instructor’s course syllabus, including class assignments, topics, presentations, and course sequencing
• Attend and actively participate in all PD 1015 class sessions
• Serve as a key contributor to fostering student community and belonging in the classroom
• Facilitate class discussions and engaging activities as discussed with your PD 1015 instructor during 1:1 weekly meetings
• Meet with your PD 1015 instructor for 1-hour per week to discuss class, class facilitation duties, and any student issues

2) Mentor/Student Leader

• Approachable and available to PD 1015 students
• Serve as a role model for students inside and outside the class, notably through academics, involvement, class engagement, and professional preparation/ discernment
• Set an example of what an engaged student looks like in class during PD 1015, such as participating in class discussions, initiating conversation with students, not being on laptop/phone, etc.
• Share lived experiences as a student when applicable
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding towards student needs and issues, especially when following up with students who miss class
• Develop a paraprofessional, mentorship relationship with students coaching them through their academic, social, and professional transitions
• Meet 1:1 with students during the semester to contribute to student success, belonging, and continuation of their goals

Primary Duties, continued

3) Connector

• Connect students with on-campus resources related to their needs and academic, social, and professional goals
• Provide a peer perspective on what it means to be a Bearcat
• Promote relationship between instructor and student
• Support fellow Peer Instructors in their experiences, such as sharing ideas, giving feedback, and growing as a mentor/leader

4) Communications & Administrative Duties

• Take and record attendance
• Follow-up with students who missed class within 24 hours
• As determined by your PD 1015 instructor, send weekly communications overviewing assignment reminders and happenings on campus
• Other duties as assigned 

Requirements

• Resume must be attached to application and all required applications questions must be answered
• Thursday, April 9, 4-5:00 pm (Online): Peer Instructor & Instructor Spring Planning Workshop 
• Monday, August 17, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (On-campus, location TBD): Peer Instructor Pre-Semester Training
• Peer Instructors enroll in a 0-1 credit course, COOP 3031: On-Campus Co-op Peer Educator Experience. This course is intended to compliment the Peer Instructor experience through meeting in-person weekly Wednesdays from 12:30-1:50 pm. It allows students to learn tangible mentoring/facilitation skills and co-op credit.

Additional Information

This is a part-time student position designed at approximately 5-7 hours per week. Can occasionally include evening or weekend work. The position pays $12/hour. 

Example weekly schedule (will fluctuate):

• 3 hours, In-class instruction
• 1 hour, 1:1 instructor planning meeting
• 1 hour, meetings with students (on average)
• 1 hour, Admin/ lesson plan
• 1 hour attending events and on-campus opportunities with students outside of class
• Other: 7-hours of pre-semester training

Minimum Requirements

• Must be at least a second-year current UC undergraduate student during fall 2026
• Applicable major related to assigned course’s student population strongly desired
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 
• Received an A- or above in PD 1015, PD 1070, MLTI 1019, PD 1170 and/or other related first-year experience course
• Student-centered attitude, especially in mentoring first-year students
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback 
• Strong communication and facilitation skills
• Teamwork orientation 
• Interest in first-year student success, career development, teaching and/or program development