Peer Navigators are current CeO Scholars who are an integral part of CeO’s First-Year Scholar experience and the driving force for our mentoring program and it’s a great way to make new friends, develop close relationships with staff, and build an overall community here at UW-Madison and in CeO.
Peer Led Communities (PLCs)
Incoming First-Year CeO Scholars are sorted into small peer groups, called Peer Led Communities (PLCs) and a Peer Navigator is assigned to lead and facilitate their PLC in activities throughout the academic year. Peer Navigators are held accountable for mentoring their PLC, planning their group activities, and supporting the First-Year CeO Scholars in their adjustment to both academic and social campus life.
Mission
Foster a community of support for first-year scholars to promote academic success and empower them to establish their place on campus. PLCs will provide a space to navigate the transition to life at UW-Madison through a peer-led holistic approach that models healthy and productive attitudes and practices.
Vision
By matching first-year scholars with trained student leaders, they will become
familiar with campus culture, resources, practices, and norms. Additionally, providing a consistent and reliable network of peers will provide a sense of belonging for our first-year scholars.
Outcomes for First-Years
- Develop a sense of belonging to CeO
- Become more familiar with campus resources
- Strengthen communication skills
Interested in becoming a CeO Peer Navigator?
Applications for the 2023-24 academic year are closed. Applications for 2024-25 will be posted around February 2024. Please read below for more details on responsibilities, time commitment, and eligibility for our Peer Navigators.
If you have any questions, email Ibrahim Baalbaki at ibrahim.baalbaki@wisc.edu and Sarina Strnad at sarina.strnad@wisc.edu, call, or visit the CeO Office.
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Responsibilities of a Peer Navigator
Peer Navigators support and nurture First-Year CeO Scholars in their transition to the university setting, both socially and academically. They work directly with a small group of incoming First-Year CeO Scholars in their Peer Led Communities (PLCs). Their responsibilities include communicating with their peer group frequently, answering their questions and concerns, and supporting them as they journey through their first year at UW-Madison. Further duties include, but are not limited to: communicating reminders and important information regarding CeO events. Peer Navigators are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful of the CeO community, guests presenting/visiting meetings, and inclusive to all people. The commitment to the August to May duration of the program is an important and integral expectation of the position.
Time Committment
The Peer Navigators’ responsibilities begin in August of each academic year and continue through May. Participation in job training occurs mid-August, and is followed by assisting and participating with the CeO Staff to host Strategies for Success (SFS), the First-Year CeO Scholar orientation in late August/early September.
Eligibility
- CeO Scholars who have had at least one semester on UW-Madison’s campus, are incoming second-years or more
- Are currently enrolled at University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Are in good academic standing with their school or college