Northern Arizona University
ER-1: Student Sustainability Educators Program

The 2011 - 2012 academic year will be the pilot of the program. Returning Resident Assistants (RAs) were invited to apply to be an EcoRA. The position provides experienced RAs with an opportunity to expand their leadership role within their community and have new learning experiences to keep them challenged and engaged in their role. Interested RAs were asked to complete an application and submit it to the coordinator of the program for review and approval. Applicants were also required to have the approval of their supervisor. Program participants were selected based on the quality of their application and their indicated level of interest in being part of the program. Existing knowledge about environmental issues and sustainability was preferred, but not required.

During Fall 2011 RA training, the EcoRAs will participate in a special track to prepare them for incorporating the role of being a peer educator for living sustainably in the residence halls into their regular RA responsibilities. The training will begin to cover the topics they will focus on throughout the year: recycling and waste; energy use and conservation; water use and conservation; consumption; food systems, and climate change. EcoRAs will be provided with a resource manual with a chapter on each topic with information that covers local, national and global aspects of the relevant issues. Training topics will also include programming brainstorms, effective communication and publicity, and peer educator skills. Training will continue throughout the year with monthly meetings. The goals of training and meetings will be to assist students in designing and implementing monthly educational campaigns that are fun, engaging, and informative.

A Graduate Assistant for the Residence Life department applied for a NAU Hooper Sustainability grant to fund the pilot of the project. She will advise the students on a voluntary basis as part of her grant program implementation, and the grant itself will provide the majority of the funding for material items needed for the the first year of the program. The Residence Life Department will also provide ongoing financial support for the program as needed. The RAs selected to be EcoRAs are already paid employees of the Residence Life Department.

JOB DESCRIPTION Peer mentoring requires being a knowledgeable and experienced guide and a role model. As a peer mentor you will work with out-of- state students and aid them in making a successful transition to NAU. This includes assistance with and support in navigating a new environment, both socially and academically. Mentors are responsible for helping students achieve their goals by providing structure, support, feedback, and referrals. Mentors will meet with students every other week and be responsible for communicating using other methods (e.g. email, Facebook, phone calls, texting, etc.) during off weeks. Mentors will also be required to attend one on one or group events with mentees (see time breakdown below) Mentors will maintain student files and provide information to supervisors for review. MENTOR QUALIFICATIONS 1. Currently enrolled at NAU 2. Attended NAU for at least two semesters (sophomores and above eligible) 3. Work-study or student-wage eligible 4. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher 5. Must work up to 9 hours per week 6. Preference given to students who attended NAU for the freshman year 7. Submit all required application information (see attached application form) 8. All are welcome to apply but out-of-state students are preferred 9. Mentoring experience is desired 10. Commitment to complete required training MENTOR TRAITS 1. Willingness to undergo ongoing training 2. Organized, dependable, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills 3. Strong leadership skills and enthusiasm for helping others 4. Outgoing personality and an interest in sharing personal/professional experiences 5. Ability to establish a supportive, not dependent relationship 6. Positive attitude and knowledge of NAU support services/programs 7. Acceptance of evaluation by students and supervisors

REQUIRED TRAINING Level 1 Training is REQUIRED for all new mentors during the first semester hired. Level 1 Mentor Certification is available upon completion of training. Level 2 (Advanced Mentor) and Level 3 (Master Mentor) Training are optional for returning mentors. Additional REQUIRED meetings may be held during the semester. These may be staff meetings and/or other trainings as deemed necessary.

The Peer Jacks program is supported by 3 full time Program Coordinators. The program is also heavily financed directly from the Office of the President. NAU's Office of Sustainability will directly support this program and coordination of the mentors by attending monthly mentor meetings and delivering monthly sustainability intitative reports to the mentors so that they can then distribute that information to the mentees.

In its inaugural year, Seven Community-Based Action Research Teams (ARTs) brought first year students together with graduate students, faculty, and community partners to work on issues of sustainability and democratic community organizing. These new engaged learning teams are the creation of a partnership between the Program in Community, Culture & Environment’s Sustainable Environments and Engaged Democracy (SEED) Freshman Learning Community and the Master of Arts in Sustainable Communities (SUS). The graduate students from the MA Sustainable Communities program are hired on as Graduate Assistants (G.A.s) and act as facilitators or student educators for each Action Research Team. These graduate students are selected based upon their backgrounds in subject matter and their community building and educating experience.

Each Action Research Team facilitator or student educator will participate in a formal facilitator training week before the begining of fall semester. This training brings in experts in community building and organizing and intends to expose the Graduate Student facilitators to a wide array of educational and organizational strategies. This training takes place at the end of august and is a requirement for Graduate Students who wish to become Action Research Team facilitators.

After operating for 2 full years, the Action Research Team program has been proven to increase student engagement (inside and outside of the classroom), student participation, and student retention. Due to the tremendous success of the program, NAU Administration has chosen to financially support the program through Presidential innovation funding. The Action Research Teams will grow across campus in the coming year and expand throughout various colleges and departments. Each college or department will bring in additional financial support and staffing support.