Posted: Jun 23, 2025

Mentoring and Community Building Specialist - Student Success

Grand Valley State University - Allendale, MI

Application Deadline: N/A

Mentoring and Community Building Specialist - Student Success

Allendale, MI

Full Time

R103140

This position creates, implements, and manages a peer mentoring program with a focus on peer mentoring in first-year academic experiences such as first-year seminar courses and learning communities. The person in this position will also plan and conduct student community building activities offered as part of a college transitions program. The ideal candidate will have experience in peer mentoring and academic coaching for undergraduates as well as familiarity with current trends and best practices in college transition support.

Salary & Benefits:

$55,000 and https://www.gvsu.edu/hro/benefits/executive-administrative-and-professional-staff-benefits-464.htm including medical, vision, dental, life insurance, generous employer retirement contributions, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties:

Create and implement a peer mentoring program. Use current research and best practices to ensure effective program development.

Implement a peer mentoring program in first-year college success course(s) and learning communities beginning the fall 2026 semester. Ensure that peer mentors positively influence the transition and success of students at GVSU. Work in collaboration with course coordinators and instructional faculty. Program will support up to 20 peer mentors and the same number of course sections.

Recruit, hire, train, and supervise peer mentors. Develop a program for ongoing support and development of peer mentors. Build a strong peer mentor community.

Build infrastructure to support peer mentoring across the campus including such aspects as common peer mentor application, interview, and evaluation processes as well as coordinated training modules and opportunities.

Support the success of LEAP student participants (grant-funded college transition and support program) through the creation and implementation of community building activities and communication streams. Provide additional programmatic and administrative support for the LEAP program as needed.

Evaluate and assess the impact of the peer mentoring program using both qualitative and quantitative methods that inform continuous improvement and ensure high-quality mentoring.

Ability to think systemically and connect peer mentoring with larger institutional structures and student success strategies.

Act as a strong collaborator with faculty, staff, and other campus partners with focused attention on working with existing support programs that use peers.

Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Earned bachelor's degree in education, social sciences, or related field.

Minimum of two (2) years of full-time, post-graduate experience demonstrated student support experience in an educational setting.

Minimum of one (1) year of full-time, post-graduate experience experience in program development and management.

Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders on planning and problem-solving.

Demonstrated ability to effectively engage with students, colleagues, and community members with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Master's degree in a related field (student affairs or educational leadership).

Understanding of college student transition and success issues.

Experience with peer mentoring in a college or university setting.

Supervisory experience, particularly with undergraduate students.

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment. Some travel, as well as weekend and evening work, may be required.

How to Apply:

Attach your cover letter and resume. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact mailto:[email protected] r. If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at mailto:[email protected] or 616-331-221.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Application Deadline:

Application review begins July 7. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for racial and ethnic minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6315294

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