Beginning in Fall 2004, each freshman student has been assigned a SOAR Peer Advisor. This program provides a point of contact for first year students in their first semester of college. Being a freshman can be a stressful time, so having access to someone who has recently gone through it can be very useful. SOAR Peer Advisors are assigned to a section and act as a teaching assistant in the Student Success course that all freshman attend. SOAR Peer Advisors will contact freshman students on a weekly basis and can set up personal meetings to assist them in reaching the fullest academic potential. The SOAR Peer Advising Program is yet another way to gain tremendous leadership experience.

This program allows all sophomores, juniors, and seniors an opportunity to gain advising experience, teaching assistantship experience, lead the summer SOAR overnight orientation experience, improve personal and professional skills, and explore career aspirations while providing assistance to freshman.

Prerequisites for becoming a SOAR Peer Advisor

• GPA 2.75 required and must be in good standing with the university.
• Open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
• SOAR Peer Advisors will attend extensive training on developmental advising, student developmental theory, appropriate referral making and use of campus resources, and gain a thorough knowledge of campus policies and procedures.
• Ease in interacting with peers.
• Availability for all summer training, SOAR dates, and OR 100 courses.
• Summer and Fall term commitment
• Ability to act as a positive role model.
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and work with a diverse student body.
• Ability to interact proactively with faculty and staff.
• Computer skills necessary (e-mail, word processing, use of Internet), and knowledge of databases/spreadsheets/graphic design is helpful.
• Strong communication and organization skills.
• Detail and deadline oriented.
• Positive attitude and self-motivated.
• Ability to abide by a confidentiality agreement.

Job Duties of a SOAR Peer Advisor

• Attend all training sessions and preparation meetings.
• Serve as a positive Woodbury University representative.
• During the summer months, serve as staff member during New Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) and Welcome Week. These duties include but are not limited to:
• Facilitate student group discussions, team building and evening activities.
• Encourage involvement of orientation participants in events and activities through your own involvement and positive attitude.
• Conduct campus tours.
• During overnight orientation sessions, reside overnight in the designated residence hall and do not leave campus for activities or errands unrelated to orientation responsibilities.
• Assist instructors in Fall Orientation 100 Teaching Assistantship (attend weekly 1 hour class.)
• Facilitate occasional advising programs with other advisors in residence halls and OR 100 classes about academic advising, registration, tutoring, and other academic resources.
• During the academic year, 4 hours of office hours per week. During that time, SOAR advisors are required to contact each student assigned to their OR 100 class and conduct scheduled meeting/advising times during their office hours as needed.
• Serve as a role model and mentor for Woodbury University freshman.
• Provide information to freshman on making the academic and personal transition to Woodbury University.
• Be knowledgeable of Woodbury University’s General Education Requirements and academic policies and procedures.
• Have a clear understanding of all college policies including the University Code of Conduct and abide by them.
• Be familiar with and provide referrals to campus resources and support services.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect of individual students’ rights at all times.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Academic Advising Office.

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