Members of the Student Success Team are undergraduate student leaders who can represent the needs of the student body through their work in the Orientation and First Year Programs Office. Student success team members work on a team of student leaders who assist in organizing and running a variety of academic and personal success programs, as well as creating connections to campus for incoming first-year and transfer students.

This is a paid position that allows you to work on developing leadership, writing, teamwork and program planning skills.

We also support JobsPLUS and EngagePLUS applications. Most success team members begin work in mid-August.

Peer Educators (PE) are successful sophomore, junior and senior student leaders who make a difference at NIU by helping new students adjust to college life. This position will provide teaching and leadership experience that will allow you to talk about your experiences at NIU.

This is a compensated position that allows you opportunities for both personal and professional growth.

Apply today

Transfer student mentors are undergraduate students who have successfully transferred to NIU and are interested in volunteering to mentor a new transfer student. As a mentor, you will help new transfer students navigate the campus and NIU’s resources. This experience will allow you to gain valuable volunteering and mentoring experience that will prepare you for future professional careers.

Graduate Student Leaders help implement the curriculum in the university experience class (UNIV), facilitate class discussions and apply student development theory to practice in a first-year classroom. This is a volunteer position open to selected graduate students who meet the qualifications.

To be eligible to become a graduate leader, you must have:

• A Graduate School cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively to a class of first-year students.
• Four to five hours per week to commit to UNIV teaching responsibilities during the fall semester.

Preference will be given to graduate students pursuing a degree in Counseling, Adult and Higher Education.

University Experience (UNIV) educators are current members of the NIU faculty or staff. In addition to completing an application, all applicants must attend all educator development trainings, workshops and conferences to be considered to be a UNIV Educator.

Most UNIV 101/201 course sections will be assigned a Peer Educator (PE), a sophomore, junior or senior student, to assist in the course. PEs share on topics from a student’s perspective and incorporate personal stories to enhance the course. 

Apply to be a Fall 2020 UNIV Educator

Faculty and staff mentors meet with new students in a semi-formal setting outside of the classroom. As a mentor you will assist first-year students transition into a college setting and help them to find answers to their academic and personal questions. All mentors must also attend at least one Success Series event (or other approved event).

Mentor Application