MASI Job Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in becoming a peer mentor for students enrolled in the Mason Autism Support Initiative program. Peer Mentors play an extremely valuable role in providing individualized support for students as they navigate through social and academic aspects of life at Mason. Mentors assist students with social skills, engaging with peers, and getting involved on campus with clubs and organizations. Mentors maintain regular contact with their mentees one to two times a week to assist with the achievement of academic and social goals, promoting a positive university experience.

To be considered for selection as a peer mentor, the applicant must meet general requirements:

• An undergraduate student
• Minimum GPA 2.8
• Provide two references who can speak to your ability to be an effective mentor
• Provide resume listing work/volunteer experience
• Commit to a minimum of one academic year, 4 to 6 hours weekly ($13/hour)
• Willingness to connect mentees to clubs/organizations on campus
• Attend required bi-weekly supervisions and monthly staff meetings
• Solid social skills with awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses
• Active listening skills
• Ability to give thoughtful, sensitive feedback
• Check in regularly with mentees 1-2 times per week
• Attend mandatory training session in April
• Partake in UNIV 333 – Fall 2023 semester
• Willingness to attend additional events throughout semester as needed

Timeline:

• Peer Mentor Informational Sessions
  • Wednesday, February 22^nd at 9:00 AM in SUB 1, room 3311
  • Friday, February 24^th at 3:00 PM in SUB 1, room 3311
• Application and Resume due by Monday, March 10^th
• Interviews March 13^th – 24^th
• Decisions emailed out Friday, March 31^st
• Accept Decision by Friday, April 7^th
• MASI Peer Mentor Training Friday, April 28^th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM in SUB 1, room 3311
• Pairing information sent out end of July/early August
• UNIV 333: Peer Leadership for Mentors – Friday’s from 3:00-4:15 PM

APPLICATION DUE MONDAY, MARCH 10^th

https://gmu.joinhandshake.com/login   

For more information contact Tiffany Stewart (tstewa5@gmu.edu) and Jack Parker (jparke26@gmu.edu)

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Learning Strategist/Learning Coach, Disability Services

Responsibilities

The Mason Autism Support Initiative (MASI), and Executive Functioning Program (EFP) are fee-based programs offered through Disability Services, providing additional supports and resources beyond disability-related accommodations. MASI provides individualized, comprehensive social and academic supports to degree-seeking Mason students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). EFP provides academic supports for students diagnosed with disabilities related to executive functioning skills.

The Learning Strategist (MASI) and the Learning Coach (EFP) meet and correspond with students regularly and consistently on a weekly basis to provide support with many aspects of university life, depending on their individual needs. Possible areas of support include:

• Implementation of strategies and development of skills in self-advocacy, time management, organization, planning/prioritizing, studying, goal-setting, problem-solving, self-monitoring, and decision-making.
• Assistance with and modeling of effective communication with faculty, classmates, and peers.
• Collaboratively identifying and addressing social needs and navigating challenging situations.
• Assistance with accessing and utilizing campus resources.
• Assistance with coordination and collaboration with university faculty and staff, departments, and community organizations as needed.
• Preparation for transition into the world of work.

The Learning Strategist spends 1 to 2 hours a week per student working together during individual meetings. Meetings with students take place in-person. Additional responsibilities may include check-ins via email, text, and/or phone with students, faculty, staff and/or parents. Position will require approximately 10-29 hours each week. This range can vary based on student case load. Learning Strategists are assigned up to 5 students.

The Learning Coach spends up to 3 hours a week per student working together during individual face to face (or virtual) meetings. Additional responsibilities may include check-ins via email, text, and/or phone with students, faculty, staff and/or parents. Position will require approximately 10-29 hours each week. This range can vary based on student case load. Learning Coaches are assigned up to 5 students.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have an understanding of disabilities, particularly ASD and executive functioning, as well as:

• Current enrollment in a graduate program in Special Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Educational Psychology, or a related field or have relevant education and experience.
• Experience and comfort working with individuals with disabilities, preferably with young adults.
• Ability to organize and coordinate with on- and off-campus resources.
• Qualities of being reliable, responsible, self-motivated, confident, sincere, flexible, patient, dedicated, observant, and considerate.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Creative and broad-level thinking skills.
• A demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate regularly with other team members in order to monitor students’ progress and meet their individualized needs.
• Openness to new ideas.

Preferred qualifications include: experience working with individuals with ASD or other related disabilities; familiarity with the field of higher education (ideally some experience working at a college or university); a demonstrated understanding of common needs of individuals with ASD or other related disabilities, particularly young adults; experience working with college students; and knowledge of issues regarding transition from high school to postsecondary education for students with disabilities.

Compensation

$21/hour for meetings with students and participation in staffing meetings, supervisions, and administrative work.

To apply:

To apply for this position, please submit a letter of interest, resume, and contact info of three professional references to the information listed below.

Jennifer Torrance, Associate Director, MASI/EFP

Disability Services

SUB 1, Suite 2500, MSN 5C9

Email: jtorranc@gmu.edu

Website: ds.gmu.edu/masi / ds.gmu.edu/efp