University College Senior Program Leader (Student)

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

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This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

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Department:

Living\-Learning Communities SupportTime Type:

Part timeFLSA Status:

Non\-ExemptJob Description:

Summary:

Senior Program Leaders (SPLs) are in an elevated position of leadership within University College. In addition to working with their own CP seminar as a UC PL, SPLs will: Meet virtually with other UC SPLs and UC staff throughout the summer, Attend monthly cohort meetings with faculty and UC staff and report back updates to UC PL group, Attend a bi\-weekly, 1\-hour, UC SPL Meeting with the University College Program. Staff Report out on UC PL progress, successes, and concerns in the weekly team meeting and via weekly update emails, Compile and send regular cohort progress reports to share with University College. Program Staff and Faculty Coordinate a weekly team meeting with a small group of UC PLs, Facilitate any discussions or activities as determined in University College staff meetings, Participate in discussions regarding training, job responsibilities, program structure, student experience, and other related topics to inform decisions for the UC Program, Actively participate, and encourage their small groups to participate, in "other duties as assigned" (admissions events, UC PL recruitment and interviews, etc.).

SPLs are paid to work virtually with the UC program in the summer. The SPL summer will begin June 1, 2026 and conclude on August 18, 2026\. You will be paid $18\.50 per hour until June 30, 2026, and $19\.00 per hour beginning July 1, 2026\. UC SPLs will work anywhere from 4 \- 6 hours per month. Some of your responsibilities will include: participating in monthly faculty cohort meetings (as necessary and if scheduled), participating in regular SPL meetings as scheduled by the Assistant Director or designee, and participating in ongoing SPL training opportunities as scheduled by the Assistant Director or designee. This may include virtual sessions, online modules, discussions, etc., participating in UC Kickoff and UC PL training planning, participating in Summer engagement opportunities for UC students, sending communications to your PL group prior to training in August, and other responsibilities deemed necessary by the Assistant Director or designee.

Essential Functions:

1\.) Meetings \& Communication

• Attend and be on time for all Complex Problems seminar meetings; prepare for seminar appropriately.
• Participate in on\-going training throughout the fall semester (in\-services). UC PLs are required to attend at minimum two paid in\-services.
• UC PLs will be able to sign up for their in\-services during fall training.
• Attend weekly team meetings with Senior UC PL.
• Attend planning/one\-on\-one meetings with assigned faculty member.
• Attend Summer cohort meet\-ups and meetings as available (non\-paid).
• Utilize AU email account and check email/Slack daily for correspondence regarding PL role.
• Communicate regularly, maintaining positive relationships with faculty, Senior UC PLs, and UC Staff UC PLs should be available to their students and inform students on when they are available for meetings at the beginning of each semester.
• Provide information in a timely manner for the UC newsletter.

2\.) Infrastructure Development \& Support

• UC PLs are expected to support and develop positive relationships with faculty/staff through on\-going communication.
• UC PLs are expected to support and develop positive relationships with Housing \& Residence Life staff members, working most closely with the Resident Assistant(s) where their cohort is housed.
• UC PLs are encouraged to participate in the planning and execution of student recruitment events, and other necessary orientation and recruitment events throughout the academic year as determined by the UC staff.
• UC PLs are expected to serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and UC staff.

3\.) Academic Environment Development \& Support

• UC PLs are expected to create an academically supportive climate for students by encouraging study groups and creating space for class questions, concerns, etc.
• UC PLs are expected to respect any policies and procedures outlined by the faculty member for the CP seminar and assist with facilitating class discussion when applicable.
• UC PLs are expected to create opportunities for students to think critically about the concepts and themes learned in their CP seminar, helping students process classroom materials as needed.
• UC PLs are expected to advise and/or refer students within the limits of the PL’s training and ability concerning academic matters, applying knowledge of university resources when appropriate.
• UC PLs are expected to promote acceptance and consideration in the attitudes and behaviors of students in the class.

4\.) Co\-Curricular Environment Development \& Support

• UC PLs are expected to facilitate the development of a positive community for their cohort based on the mission/vision statements and learning outcomes, while also helping to integrate the cohort with the larger community in the residence hall.
• UC PLs are expected to assist faculty with opportunities to interact casually with students through office hours, co\-curriculars, etc.
• UC PLs are expected to adhere to UC co\-curricular expectations and requirements (four co\-curriculars (see below), creating a variety of co\-curricular opportunities that help to increase engagement in their co\-curricular.
• Three Co\-curriculars focused on an experiential learning activity engaging the academic content focus. One of the three need to be facilited by the cohort in collaboration.
• One Co\-curricular can be focues on social engagement and community building.
• UC PLs will participate in the planning and execution of UC\-Wide events (events for all students a part of the programs) which will take place 2\-3 times per semester or as determined by the UC staff. At minimum, UC PLs are required to attend the Kickoff event in August and the End of Semester event in December. Exceptions will be considered on a case\-by\-case basis.
• UC PLs are expected to engage each of their seminar students in a 1:1 discussion the first 6 weeks of the semester, noting any of their goals, apprehensions, questions, etc.
• UC PLs are expected to advise and/or refer students within the limits of the PL’s training and ability concerning personal and/or social matters, applying knowledge of university resources when appropriate.

5\.) Assessment Development \& Support

• UC PLs will engage in the development of the UC assessment plan which includes but is not limited to surveys and focus groups.
• UC PLs are expected to encourage student participation in UC’s assessment plan.
• UC PLs will assist the UC staff in reviewing information gathered from surveys and focus groups, providing recommendations for improvement to the UC program.

6\.) Role Modeling

• Understand that all actions of a UC PL (including those engaged outside of the classroom) are observed by students, other UC PLs, and staff members. UC PLs must hold themselves accountable to university policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Be mindful of appropriate boundaries of the UC PL\-student relationship. UC PLs are explicitly prohibited from pursuing any romantic and/ or unprofessional relations with students enrolled in their section of CP.
• Faculty will have individual expectations for the UC PL’s role in the classroom, which may include some of the following activities: provide academic support or guidance on assignments, participate in or facilitate seminar discussions, observe student participation, read and respond to discussion boards, help students who have missed class to catch up, etc.
• UC PLs are encouraged to show enthusiasm for learning and to take advantage of the opportunity to be part of a Complex Problems class.

7\.) Student Employee Responsibilities

• Report concerns and violations of published University policies, regulations, and procedures in an accurate and timely manner to UC Staff.
• Abide by FERPA and American University professional and ethical standards of conduct, maintain confidentiality, and not release private information regarding staff and/ or students.

8\.) Other duties assigned

• Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude UC Staff from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part\-time.
• 10 hours per week.

Salary Range:

• $18\.50 \- $19\.00 per hour.

Other Details

* This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E\-Verify employer.
• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

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