First-Year Experience Staff Mentor - Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Location: North Adams, MA Category: Other Posted On: Tue Feb 3 2026 Job Description:

The role of the First-Year Experience Staff Mentor is to support the College's retention and engagement work with first-year students by helping to develop skills, behaviors, and habits that contribute to student success in college. The Staff Mentor role is attached to an FSEM course which will meet weekly to create discussion on topics designed to facilitate new students' transition to MCLA, as well as engage them with their new environment and community. Topics have been predesigned and formulated to deliver common information in a specific timeframe. Staff Mentors are encouraged to use their current knowledge base to inform students on campus information as well as refer them to alternate connection points as needed.

Additionally, the Staff Mentor will be assigned to a First-Year Experience Success Team. This team will consist of a Faculty Success Coach, a student Peer Mentor and the Staff Mentor. This cohort-style approach to the first-year experience is to better engage with first-year and transfer students. This team will work in partnership with academic advisors, to support the success of their students, as a whole and individually.

This entire experience is designed to strengthen the new student connections to our MCLA community and its members, as well as to facilitate information sharing as students develop and work to transition into their first semester and year of college.

As a member of an FYE Success Team, Staff Mentors will serve in the following capacities for $30 per hour (Please note: Participation hours may occur during working hours. Applicants must have supervisor's approval to apply for the First-Year Experience Staff Mentor).

Staff Mentors will participate in training from May 12th to May 14th.
Staff Mentors will participate in training over the course of Peer Mentor training August 21st- 27th.
Staff Mentors will participate in Greylock LEAD Academy & Orientation. The program runs from Friday, August 28th-Tuesday, September 1st.
Staff Mentors will participate in weekly FSEM course conversations, covering topics that align with First-Year Seminar learning outcomes. Between planning and delivering the content, staff will work approximately 1 hour a week, during the workday Fall 2026 semester. Additional Spring 2027 outreach/connection opportunities are encouraged.

FSEM Courses will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 am or Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 1 pm *additional FSEM course times may be added. Staff Mentors will visit one class once per week in accordance with their schedule and FSEM instructor.

Responsibilities:
Attend May and August trainings.
Assist and support facilitating various topics during Greylock L.E.A.D Academy and Orientation.
Support/Mentor two-to-three student Peer Mentors as part of Greylock L.E.A.D. Academy/Orientation.
Attend workshops and meetings related to the FSEM curriculum.
Collaborate with a Peer Mentor in the FSEM course.
Attend and present selected topics and resources each week during the 20-minute FSEM discussion (planning and delivery of content- staff will work approximately 1 hour per week).
Track engagement level of students within the course.
Work within Canvas.
Communicate regularly with the First-Year Experience Success Team, which includes the FSEM Professor, Faculty Success Coach, Peer Mentor(s) and students within the course.
Complete necessary assessment tools for review of the Greylock L.E.A.D Academy and Orientation Program and FSEM course.

Job Requirements:
Must have supervisor's approval to apply for the First-Year Experience Staff Mentor position and their assigned FSEM section time for the entire Fall semester.
Possess general knowledge about the MCLA community and student involvement.
Possess general knowledge of campus resources and how students might access them, including Academic Advising and Support, Health Services, Counseling, Student Financial Aid.

Required Skills:
Ability to create and attend events/programs.
Knowledge of campus departments and co-curricular life.
Experience with mentoring and assisting students.
Desire to meet with students to discuss concerns and challenges.
Willingness to facilitate the common course topics and discuss details with students.
Strong communication skills.

Additional Information:
This is a part time, temporary position, starting on 5/12/2026, going through 5/03/2027.Only APA members, Non-unit Professionals, and Librarians can apply for this position. Salary for this position is $30.00/hour.

Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Lucas Morrill

Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator

375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

Telephone: (413) 662-5103

[email protected]

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424

Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172

[email protected]