Qualifications:
• An enthusiastic and positive attitude
•      Possess a strong work ethic
• Ability to communicate clearly
• Fluent in English
• Flexible
• Can relate to multiple types of people
•      Teamwork skills
• Professional demeanor
• A genuine love for South Alabama
• Must have been enrolled full time for Spring 2022 (12 hours) & maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA

All PALs are required to complete training prior to and demonstrate competencies throughout the semester. If selected, this position is for the Fall 2022 semester only.

Compensation
The pay for this position for the Fall 2022 semester is $10/hour.

PAL Expectations
• Introduce yourself to the faculty member(s) you will be the Peer Academic Leader for, prior to the start of the semester, either by email or in person.
• Attend all class meetings, learning sessions, office hours, and training meetings.
• Organize and facilitate at least three companion group learning sessions per week outside of class.
• Prepare a lesson plan for each learning session, including informational handouts, “how to” videos, problem sets, etc., to support learning material.
• Assist students to learn how to effectively utilize software, tools, or technology required for the specific course.
• Remain in your scheduled sessions until the end of the 50 minute session.
• Attend your assigned office hours each week preparing for sessions.
• Meet with your instructor on an individual basis, such as during their office hours, a minimum of once every two weeks to invite feedback or discuss any issues, questions, concerns, or class policy.
• Connect with instructor to promote group study sessions, including efforts to encourage session attendance by providing handouts at least once per month, class announcements, and talking individually with students.
• Submit any appropriate paperwork (observation sheets, attendance records, session plans, End-of-Term surveys, or other evaluations) in a timely fashion, i.e. by the deadline set during any scheduled training meetings and calendars. End-of-Semester paperwork must be submitted no later than 5 PM of the last class day unless other arrangements are made with Student Academic Success.
• Notify appropriate Student Academic Success staff and faculty member in the event that you should be unable to attend class/session, should you “swap” sessions with another PAL, or should you move a session’s location.
• Behave in an appropriate and professional manner while representing Student Academic Success and as a model student while attending the assigned class (i.e., behaving in accordance with basic rules of classroom decorum; not using cell phones, studying materials unrelated to class, speaking with others during lecture, passing notes, etc.). At no time should a PAL behave or act in such a way as to cause discredit or embarrassment to Student Academic Success or the University of South Alabama (i.e., being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, disparaging any member of University of South Alabama faculty or staff, fraternizing with instructors, the students with whom you work, or your fellow PALs, etc.).
• Make contact with Student Academic Success at least once per week in some manner—e-mail, phone call, in person, zoom, social media, etc.
• Accept and adhere to the Peer Academic Leader Expectations including completion of any and all appropriate work made necessary by class meeting attendance, learning sessions, office hours, team meetings, and training.

Things the PAL is not permitted to do:
Grade assignments
Enforce class management or discipline policies
Function as a personal assistant to the instructor

Weekly Time Commitment
3 lecture hours (attending class)
3-4 50-minute sessions
2-3 office hours
1 hour PLACE Training (Peer Leader Advancement Continued Education) per month
Each PAL attached to one course can expect a minimum of nine working hours per week, and a maximum of 11 working hours per week. If a PAL serves more than one section, this could increase their working hours to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Required Training for PALs
• CRLA (College Reading and Learning Association) Level I TutorLingo training (prior to beginning of semester)
1. A toolbox for the novice tutor
2. Developing critical thinking skills
3. Learning theory
4. The nature of helping relationships
5. The role of the tutor
6. Tutee study skills: Note-taking, reading, & testing strategies
7. Tutoring students from diverse backgrounds
8. Understanding self-regulatory behaviors  

• Virtual training by Student Academic Success (prior to beginning of semester)
1. PAL expectations
2. Session mechanics & logistics
3. Learning theory
4. Data collection/reporting
5. Communication requirements

• PLACE training
Peer Leader’s Advancement by Continued Education (PLACE) Training will be hosted by Student Academic Success on Fridays for one hour. PALs must participate in a Friday session each month Student Academic Success, or make up the session by reviewing the recorded training session and submitting a reflection activity to a Senior Peer Leader.
1. Diversity
2. Metacognition
3. Self-regulated learning/self-efficacy/time management
4. Communicating effectively
5. Goal-setting & assessment


For questions please contact Kristi Clayton, Assistant Director of the Office of Student Academic Success, at (251) 460-7074 or email kristiclayton@southalabama.edu.