CeO Peer Navigators & Peer Learning Communities
Peer Navigator
Peer Navigators are current CeO Scholars who are an integral part of CeO’s First Year Scholar experience and the driving force of the CeO mentoring program. The Peer Navigator position is a great way to make new friends, develop close relationships with staff, and build a community of belonging 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.
PLC Mission, Vision, and Outcomes
Mission
The CeO PLCs foster a community of support for First Year CeO Scholars to promote academic success and empower them to establish their place on campus. The PLCs provide a space for scholars 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 CeO Scholars with trained student leaders, first years 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 First Year CeO Scholars.
Outcomes
- Develop a sense of belonging within the CeO Community
- Become more familiar with campus resources
- Strengthen communication skills
Interested in becoming a CeO Peer Navigator?
Hiring for 2024-25 Peer Navigators is complete. Please watch for the next application being posted in March 2025.
Check the information below for more details on responsibilities, time commitment, and eligibility for Peer Navigators.
Questions: Email Ibrahim Baalbaki or Sarina Strnad at ibrahim.baalbaki@wisc.edu or sarina.strnad@wisc.edu
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Responsibilities of a Peer Navigator
Peer Navigators (PNs) support and nurture First Year CeO Scholars in their transition to the university setting, both socially and academically. PNs work directly with a small group of incoming First Year CeO Scholars in their Peer Led Communities (PLCs). Their responsibilities include communicating with their PLC consistently and frequently, answering questions and concerns, and supporting their PLC as the scholars journey through their first year at UW-Madison. Further duties include, but are not limited to:
- Communicating reminders and important information regarding CeO events.
- Modeling behavior that is respectful of the CeO community, guests presenting and/or visiting meetings, and inclusive to all people.
- Committing to the August to May duration of the program as it is an important and integral expectation of the position.
Time Commitment
The Peer Navigator job begins in August of each academic year and continue through the following May. Participation in mandatory job training occurs mid/late-August, and is followed by actively participating and assisting with Strategies for Success (SFS), the First Year CeO Scholar orientation in late August/early September. After training and orientation weeks, Peer Navigators often work 1-5 hours/week throughout the academic year.
Eligibility
- CeO Scholars who have been enrolled for at least one semester on UW-Madison’s campus, are incoming Second Year CeO Scholars or more experienced Third, Fourth, or Fifth Year Scholars
- Are currently enrolled at University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Are currently in good academic standing with their school or college