Summary

Lions Leading Lions is all about increasing student success through improving the student advising experience. It is an initiative born of institutional research and planning processes that recognizes the importance of improving persistence at Nelson University as a vital aspect of greater student success. Further research into factors of special importance to Nelson students in determining their decision to stay at the university until degree completion led to a focus on improved advising as the means for increasing the retention rate. 

The Goals of L3 

• Nelson University will increase its five-year retention average among FT/FT degree-seeking students, from freshman to sophomore year, by 5%. 
• Nelson University will increase its five-year retention average among FT/FT degree-seeking students, from sophomore to junior year, by 5%. 
• Student social involvement will progress from broad and investigative in the first semester to narrow and committed by the end of the fourth semester (attendance at multiple activities). 
• Student goal-setting and goal-planning will be maintained from the Degree Pathway assignment in the first semester through the end of the fourth semester. Students will have a clear path to graduation through understanding the courses necessary to complete their desired program. 

To accomplish these objectives, L3 takes a three-pronged approach with the following components: 

1. Advise: Enhancing advising by improving access to student information for advisors 

2. Simplify: Improving information for students about their degree programs through development of simplified and helpful Degree Pathway Sheets 

3. Choose: Developing a team of peer advisors (PAs), (upperclassmen who partner with a group of underclassmen through their first year at Nelson to help the students learn the Nelson University culture). PAs will partner with the Strategies for Student Success (S3) course, along with the S3 coaches, faculty advisors, and others to give newer students a larger community of support. This provides them with an “advising net”—an important factor, according to research, in improving retention and student success. 

Peer Advisors

Purpose

We created L3 to impact student success through selecting some of our best students to advise and mentor other students. Selecting each peer advisor is one of the most important decisions we will make each year as each one impacts the lives of over twenty students. 

Note: The L3 Initiative is being progressively implemented on the Waxahachie campus only. Expansion to all S3 classes on the Waxahachie campus will be gradual. 

Responsibilities

Being a peer advisor is a one-year commitment. Their role is to serve as an advisor to first-year students, helping them navigate social, cultural, academic, and personal challenges. Ultimately, they hope to assist them in successfully completing their degree programs and integrate into the community of Nelson University.

• Connect with advisee students during Welcome Weekend events through S3 Groups. 
• Provide friendly peer support for students in acclimating to the Nelson community and to college life. 
• Serve as a role model in conduct, spirituality, and academic achievement. 
• Help students navigate their degree programs without confusion and register for courses correctly each semester. 
• Participate in advising sessions, S3 presentations, and required meetings, as scheduled. 
• Refer students to offices and individuals on campus for academic, personal, financial, or social assistance. 
• Contact each advisee bi-weekly (via text, phone, Zoom, face-to-face, etc.) with a minimum of three face-to-face meetings per semester. 
• Partner with S3 Coaches for their student’s course experience.
• Report directly to the Peer Advisor Director.

Qualifications 

• A sophomore in good standing academically and with regard to chapel attendance and disciplinary issues 
• Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA 
• A passion for helping others succeed 
• Strong Christian character 
• Exceptional leadership qualities 
• Knowledge of campus activities and support systems for students to engage in community life 
• Ability to manage multiple student advisees 
• A strong understanding of degree programs and course selection process (Advisors will also be trained on this as well). 
• Strong organizational skills 
• Exceptional communication skills 
• Availability for Welcome Weekend events 
• Recommendation of two faculty members – one can be a staff member, and, if a student athlete, one must be a coach 

Commitment & Scholarship 

Peer advisors will be asked to make a one-year commitment so there is consistency with the class. This is essential. This program includes a generous scholarship of $1,600 per semester for the peer advisor to compensate for the time investment and provide an incentive to persist with the cohort. The expected average time of connection with peers per week is 6-10 hours. Peer advisors not completing their expected work may forfeit their role and any academic scholarship associated with it going forward. 

Application Process 

Candidates who meet the above criteria may apply during the open window for selection each spring semester. Candidates must complete an application and secure two faculty endorsements by the deadline. 

Selection Process

The Q.E.P. Director will partner with the Director for Student Success/Peer Advisor Director to evaluate potential applicants each semester. The students will be evaluated based on their qualifications and faculty endorsements. Once selected through this process, candidates will be interviewed to determine the final selection. Peer advisors will be notified of their selection by the P.A. Director. 

Training

New peer advisors will be required to attend training before the fall semester each year. Peer Advisors will begin their work with Welcome Weekend in the fall semester. The P.A. Director will partner peer advisors with S3 coaches, and will work to match chemistry and skill sets for the optimal partnership of the S3 course and L3 initiative. PAs will also be required to attend Welcome Weekend activities with their assigned S3 classes and weekly meetings as required throughout the year. 

Mentoring for PAs 

Peer Advisors will also receive mentoring from the P.A. Director and S3 coaches. This mentoring is designed to create a support system for the PAs as individuals. It will be the peer advisors’  role to manage the agenda for their own development. 

Questions 

If you have any questions, please feel free to email the Peer Advisor Director, Amy Trober at [email protected], or the Peer Advisor and Engagement Coordinator, Camron Swartzendruber at [email protected].