Faculty Partnerships

In the classroom, faculty partners are encouraged to allow their Peer Success Coach to lead any of the following:

• 5-minute in-class announcements to support students’ planning and reflection throughout the semester.
  Weekly announcements are ranked as the most helpful PSC activity according to students!
• Check-in on students who are falling behind or require additional support
• Model effective student behaviors by reinforcing classroom norms and expectations
• Deliver student success workshops, such as: 1) Time management, 2) Study skills, 3) Campus resources & policies, 4) Public speaking, and 5) Professional email etiquette

Peer Success Coaches continue supporting students outside of class through individualized outreach and engagement.

• Lead Early Check-In (Progress Report) Outreach to help students understand and integrate feedback from their instructors
• Facilitate 1:1 coaching sessions with each student focused on their unique needs and goals. Coaching sessions are most beneficial when Peer Success Coaches are able to discuss course-based feedback. Please consider offering extra credit or requiring these meetings.
• New: Host campus resource tours based on students’ needs and interests
• New: Attend select campus events with students to create connections and encourage involvement
• Stay in touch with students via text, email, and phone calls

Peer Success Coaches complete more than 100 hours of ongoing training during their first year, including coursework, workshops, and professional development.

Mandatory Training

• CHS 310 Advanced Interpersonal Counseling Skills (3 credits): In the fall, Peer Success Coaches examine theory and practice related to counseling microskills (attending, listening, open questioning, paraphrasing, reflection of feeling, etc.). Signature assignments focus on the transition to College, familiarity with John Jay’s resources, and developing an understanding of students' sense of belonging in higher education. 
• CSL 311 Field Education in College Community Outreach (3 credits): In the spring, Peer Success Coaches examine theory and practice related to group facilitation and leadership skills. Signature assignments focus on special topics in higher education, workshop design and facilitation, interviews with campus resources leaders, and self-assessment presentations focused on transferable skills.  

Ongoing Professional Development

• Annual training focused on developing a shared mission for supporting students, building community within the Peer Success Coach team, and introducing new initiatives and strategies for student support. Core topics prepare PSCs to help students navigate the transition from high school to college, maintain momentum as sophomores, and adapt to a new institution as transfer students.
• Special workshops focused on specific student populations and topics related to belonging, including commuters, first-generation college students, students of color, undocumented students, LGBTQ+ students, imposter syndrome, working students, caretakers, and more. Resource partners often facilitate these conversations, but PSCs are also invited to design and lead workshops based on their own lived experiences and research.
• Weekly meetings for Peer Success Coaches to receive professional development, supervision, and feedback.
• Feedback from faculty and staff partners is essential for individual Peer Success Coach development and overall program improvement. Partners are encouraged to provide feedback on PSCs’ efforts to engage and connect with students, communication and public speaking, support of class activities, and overall reliability and presence.

Together, these experiences ensure that Peer Success Coaches enter faculty classrooms prepared, reflective, and responsive to student and instructor needs.