Intercultural Life

Program Description

For two decades the Carleton Connections Program (formerly the Intercultural Peer Leader Program), a service of the Office of Intercultural Life, has provided first-year multicultural students an opportunity to connect with upper-class students of color.Intercultural Peer Leaders connect first-year students to the experience of living, growing, and succeeding in a community that encourages diversity and individual differences.Intercultural Peer Leaders serve as role models, mentors, educators, and friends.

The primary responsibilities of a Intercultural Peer Leader are interaction with and support of first-year students of color. To encourage the academic, social, and personal success of first-year students, theIntercultural Peer Leaders, with the support of Intercultural Life staff and other key personnel at the college, provide a range of programs and activities.

Intercultural Peer Leader programs focus on three major areas of student life: Academic Success, Health and Wellness, and Student Development. Students who understand how these areas affect their lives have a better chance of success at Carleton. The program's goal is to connect the students to every aspect of Carleton.

Eligibility

Rising first-year, sophomore, and junior students interested in working with first-year students are encouraged to apply. Applicants must:

• be in good academic standing.
• be on-campus the entire academic year.
• be active in the Carleton Community
• not be committed to other paid positions or research fellowships during the academic year.

Expectations

The Intercultural Peer Leader position is a ten-hour a week commitment for three terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring). Students selected are expected to adhere to the job responsibilities listed in the position description. Also, students are required to return to campus one week prior to New Student Week of Fall term for intensive training.

Position Description

• Provide Support, Advice, and Referral to Multicultural Advisees
  • Provide academic programs that introduce college resources to advisees.
  • Have knowledge of campus resources and refer students appropriately.
  • Offer sessions for first-year students with faculty and staff regarding successful academic strategies.
  • Provide open and honest dialogue about academics at Carleton. This may include conversations about academic stress or questions such as, "What's Professor John Doe's teaching style?"
  • Advise students on academic rules and regulations and on academic adjustment skills.
  • Be actively involved in the academic decisions advisees make by providing information about academic regulations and policies such as S/CR/NC, late drops, the Academic Standing Committee, etc.
  • Recognize, accept, and demonstrate a personal interest in each advisee.
  • Become familiar with the personal/scholastic background and future educational and career plans of your advisees.
  • Help advisees recognize problem areas and then provide guidance toward resolution.
  • Connect and introduce students to multicultural student organizations.
  • Work with other departments (ADSC, Wellness Center, Career Center, Off-Campus Studies, Dean of Students, etc.) to help advisees be aware of services offered through these offices.
• Work with the Multicultural Community
  • Be involved in the activities of the multicultural community.
  • Keep informed of the needs and concerns of students of color.
  • Sponsor events, workshops, and activities.
  • Demonstrate an appreciation of all cultures by working effectively with students of different ethnic backgrounds.
  • Connect advisees to the Office of Intercultural Life and its programs.
• Acquire Cultural Competence
  • Learn and practice cross-cultural communication.
  • Maintain a commitment to educate and sensitize oneself to diversity issues.
  • Become familiar with ethnic identity development models.
• Administrative Duties
  • Attend weekly group meetings.
  • Initiate contacts and coordinate programs with designated student support offices as assigned.
  • Meet individually with the Assistant Director of Intercultural Life bi-weekly.
  • Submit weekly and end-of-term activity reports.
  • Attend all Carleton Connections programs.
  • Attend events sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Life.
  • Attend mandatory training sessions.