Call for Facilitators
Inspire the Next Generation: Lead a Section of the Newly Redesigned First Year Seminar
Are you passionate about making a lasting impact on incoming students? Then join us in leading a section of the innovative and newly redesigned First Year Seminar (FYS 1000) at Baruch College. This seminar has been carefully crafted to better prepare students for academic success and help them smoothly transition into college life. As a co-lead, you’ll have the unique opportunity to guide students through their academic and social adjustments while connecting with colleagues across various disciplines. Together, let’s shape the college experience of tomorrow’s leaders!
Why You Should Consider Leading a Section
- Be a part of students’ foundational experience at Baruch College
- Help guide students’ academic and social adjustment
- Share your unique experience and insights with students
- Connect with students you wouldn’t otherwise encounter
- Inculcate the kind of habits you want students to have for academic and personal success
- Engage with students outside of your passions, meeting them where they are in their college journey
- Join a team of dedicated professionals who want to help transform the campus culture
Seminar Content
The seminar covers a range of essential skills and topics, such as critical thinking, communication, time management, academic integrity, cultural diversity, health and wellness, intellectual engagement, research, career planning, and leadership. Throughout the seminar, students will actively participate, reflect, and collaborate, developing an understanding of college expectations and resources that will empower them to set personal goals and devise strategies for academic, professional, and personal growth. To support your experience, you will have access to sample lesson plans and PowerPoint slides. You are encouraged to integrate your expertise and personalize your approach, ensuring an engaging and dynamic learning experience for our students.
Seminar Structure & Time Commitment
The First Year Seminar (FYS 1000) is thoughtfully designed to provide students with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience. The seminar meets for 75 minutes each week for the first 11 weeks of the semester, fostering connections between students and ensuring they receive the guidance and support they need.
Each section is assigned an undergraduate peer mentor, who is hired and trained by the Office of New Student & Family Programs. The peer mentor supports the lead facilitator of FYS 1000 by helping with tasks such as collecting and grading assignments, managing communication with the class, reaching out to students, and sharing information and resources on events happening on campus. The assigned peer mentor is trained to support new students, help ease their transition, and answer students’ questions about Baruch and adjusting to college. For many students enrolled in FYS 1000, the peer mentor is their first point of contact for student advice on how to make the most of their transition to college.
Additionally, the peer mentor assists with some session facilitation, bringing a valuable student perspective to the content covered during the seminar. Throughout the course of the semester, the lead facilitator is encouraged to provide opportunities for the student mentor to take the lead on some of the session content, helping them build their leadership and communication skills.
As a lead facilitator, you will be expected to meet with your assigned peer mentor for at least 30 minutes per week to check-in and plan out the weekly content. The total time commitment for a lead facilitator is approximately two hours per week.
To ensure your success as a lead facilitator, our office offers a facilitator training during the summer and sponsors optional facilitator check-in meetings throughout the semester. These meetings provide opportunities to discuss upcoming session content and share best practices with fellow facilitators, fostering a supportive and collaborative community.
Express Your Interest
Are you ready to make a difference in the lives of our newest students? We are seeking professionals who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, possess experience with workshop facilitation, teaching, or student mentoring, and are passionate about supporting new students as they transition into college life. If you are eager to make a lasting impact on students’ lives and contribute to the success of Baruch College’s First Year Seminar, we invite you to express your interest in leading a section.
Click here to express your interest in leading a section of the First Year Seminar
We believe that your expertise and dedication will significantly contribute to the success of the seminar and, ultimately, to the positive transformation of our students’ college experience. Help us create a supportive environment and enrich the college experience for our newest students by leading a section of FYS 1000.