Faculty, staff and graduate students are encouraged to apply to become lead facilitators for the SEM 100 First-Year Experience Shared Reading Discussion and help new students integrate into the campus community this fall. Undergraduate students can also still apply to become peer facilitators. The application deadline has been extended to March 18.
New students will read “Lab Girl,” an award-winning autobiography by pioneering scientist Hope Jahren, and participate in the fall discussion sessions, co-led by a student peer facilitator and a lead faculty, staff or graduate student facilitator. The book details Jahren’s experience in a male-dominated research field, as well as the intersections of identity, mental health and relationships. Facilitators will lead the discussion sessions that will focus on relevant themes from the book and introduce new students to the communication skills, resources and nuanced understanding of identity that they need to fully immerse themselves in the campus community.
“This is an opportunity for faculty, staff and graduate students to welcome and engage our new students in a community-building shared experience that can have a profound effect on their first year,” says Kira Reed, co-chair of the First-Year Experience Initiative Steering Committee, provost faculty fellow and associate professor of management in the Whitman School.
Facilitators will be compensated and receive a copy of the book, training and materials necessary to lead the five-week, 90-minute discussion sessions. Training sessions will be held throughout the month of April. Potential facilitators can indicate their preferences for a training date and time on their applications.
Visit the following links for applications:
Peer Facilitators: Undergraduate Students
Lead Facilitators: Graduate Students
For questions, or to learn more about the First-Year Experience Initiative, contact First-Year Experience Coordinator Jessie Santillan at jasantil@syr.edu.
