For many first-generation students, getting involved on campus becomes secondary to focusing upon academics. The desire to master this unknown collegiate culture simply takes precedence. However, many first-generation students, particularly after their initial semester at college, tend to become interested in student organizations and leadership opportunities. By joining a student organization or serving in a leadership role first-generation students form a type of transition community (Bruffee, 1999); transition communities are described as a group “in which people construct knowledge as they talk together and reach consensus” (p. 14). Working alongside other first-generation students can prove to be a useful learning and reacculturation (Bruffee, 1999) strategy.
One such leadership opportunity that involves first-generation students assisting other first-generation students to become successful at Missouri State is serving as a first-year seminar (GEP 101) Peer Leader. GEP 101 is a course that is required for all incoming students with fewer than 24 hours post high school who are not part of the Honors College, so the majority of first-semester freshmen take this course as part of their fall curriculum. Though this first-year seminar course focuses upon academic skill building, public affairs engagement, and campus resource awareness, specialized sections have been specifically created for first-generation students. Serving as a Peer Leader for a specialized GEP 101 section is a unique way to assist incoming students with their transition to university life.
Peer Leaders work closely not only with their first-year seminar instructor to provide input to daily course content and facilitate classroom discussion but also to serve as a role model and resource to new students. Further, Peer Leaders show students how to become successful, both in and out of the classroom by sharing strategies for academic and co-curricular success. In addition, Peer Leaders attend a Peer Leadership class, at no cost, to improve their leadership skills and to share their experiences with other Peer Leaders.
The requirements to become a Peer Leader include a 3.0 GPA, minimum of 30 credit hours, and completed application including two reference forms from faculty and staff. Peer Leader applicants will participate in a fun and engaging selection process, called Peer Leader Carousel. To learn more, please go to the First-Year Programs website or contact firstyearprograms@missouristate.edu.
Bruffee, K. A. (1999). Collaborative learning: Higher education, interdependence, and the authority of knowledge (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
(submitted by Dr. Tracey Glaessgen, Assistant Director – First-Year Programs)