Student Worker: Peer Mentor

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a comprehensive, multicultural, public, open—access college. Southwest has four campuses/centers from which it offers over 100 programs and over 20 technical certificate programs.

We foster student success, transform lives, and increase the educational level of a growing community in Shelby County. Southwest is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Title: Student Worker: Peer Mentor

Employee Classification: Other

Institution: Southwest Tennessee Community College

Department: Student Success

Campus Location: SWTCC - Multiple Campus Locations

Job Summary

Peer Mentors support first-time freshmen with a high school GPA of 2.2 or lower, as well as students returning from academic suspension or after a stop-out period, by providing mentorship, structured engagement, and opportunities that promote academic and personal success. They assist first-time freshmen in transitioning to college life, navigating campus resources, and developing the skills necessary for persistence and degree completion.

For reentry students, Peer Mentors facilitate academic reintegration, connect them with relevant campus resources, and help them develop effective strategies for achieving their educational goals.

Job Duties

• Reports to the Assistant Director of the Office of Student Success.
• Works with the Student Success Navigators and Re-entry Coaches.
• Provides mentorship and engagement for students in the Saluqi Scholars Program and the Welcome Back Program.
• Facilitates peer-to-peer engagement through structured check-ins, inviting mentees to attend study groups, workshops, and Success Hub events to build academic confidence.
• Staffs the Success Hubs, offering peer-to-peer academic support and connecting students to campus resources.
• Participates in departmental call campaigns to engage unregistered students, assist with enrollment hurdles, and support retention goals.
• Assists with New Student Orientation, Saluqi Scholars Convocation, Welcome Back Orientation, and other OSS programming/events.
• Facilitates peer-led workshops, study groups, and classroom presentations on academic success strategies, including time management, professional communication, effective study skills, note-taking, goal setting, digital literacy, etc.
• Encourages first-semester students and reentry students to utilize tutoring, advising, career services, and other wrap-around services.
• Participates in ongoing training and professional development for Peer Mentors.
• Participating in On-Going Training and Leadership Development through:
  • Student Leadership and Engagement opportunities
  • Career Services Professional Development
  • Office of Student Success workshops
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled student at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
  
• Minimum institutional GPA of 3.0. O
  
• Completed at least 12 credit hours at Southwest.
  
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
  
• Ability to build peer relationships and mentor first-semester and/or reentry students.
  
• At least two terms (including summer) remain until graduation.
  
• Must be in good academic and behavioral standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in mentoring, tutoring, or leading student engagement activities.
  
• Familiarity with campus resources and student success strategies.
  
• Experience working with a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform such as Slate.
  
• Prior participation in the Saluqi Scholars Program or other student support initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of campus resources and student support services.
  
• Ability to facilitate study groups and peer-led workshops.
  
• Effective communication and leadership skills.
  
• Strong time management and organizational skills.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Candidates who are called for an interview must notify Human Resources in writing at least five (5) days in advance of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

First consideration will be given to current Southwest Tennessee Community College employees who meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

In order to be considered for the position, the following items must be uploaded:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Unofficial Transcripts

A summary of our benefits can be found below: 

https://www.southwest.tn.edu/hr/benefits-overview.php

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The TBR does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as a protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. 

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies: Dr. Brandon Johnson, Director of People & Culture, myhr@southwest.tn.edu, 737 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38103, 901-333-5000. See the full non-discrimination policy.