Loyola University Chicago

Program Overview

The STARS Program was created at Loyola University Chicago in 1986 to assist its participants in effectively adjusting to the different challenges of college life, including those that are academic, social, and personal in nature. The program serves first-year students, with a specific emphasis on African American, Asian/Pacific Islander American, Latino, and Middle Eastern/Arab American students, as well as students who commute and/or who are the first in their family to attend college. The STARS Program promotes participants’ academic success, personal development, as well as campus leadership and involvement.

To support this mission of the STARS Program, mentors serve as peer guides and positive examples of academic excellence and campus involvement. A STARS mentor is responsible for a small group of First-Year students with whom she/he maintains regular contact and offers consistent support, a critical factor in the mentees’ retention and overall success at Loyola. The STARS mentor encourages skill development in the areas of leadership, programming, facilitation, communication and collaboration, to support all STARS participants’ academic success, future careers and intercultural exchange.

Mentor Responsibilities and Expectations

• Attend a Summer training session (details on date/time will be provided upon candidates’ acceptance of job offer)
• Provide peer advising and tutoring by maintaining weekly contact with their mentees through personal meetings and events, phone, e-mail, Facebook, officer hours, etc.
• Hold weekly office hours (3-hour minimum)
• Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA
• Actively participate in student-led STARS committee that coordinates events for program participants that focus on the enrichment of all STARS participants

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a full-time enrolled undergraduate student at Loyola University Chicago in good academic and judicial standing, possessing a minimum grade point average of 3.0 at the time of application. The prospective mentor will have a good understanding of the mission and work of the Department of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs and will be familiar with campus resources. The successful candidate will possess exceptional leadership and interpersonal communication skills, a deep appreciation for the diversity of our student body, and a commitment to the support and retention of Loyola’s First Year students.

Compensation

First-time STARS mentors will receive $900 per semester, and returning mentors will receive $1000 per semester. Further details on compensation will be shared at individual interviews.  

Loyola University Chicago is an equal opportunity educator and employer. 

Mentor Recruitment / Selection Timeline

February 22 (Friday)   Applications available in:
• Department Student Diversity, CFSU Room 109
• STARS Office, CFSU Lower Level, Room 31
• CFSU Information Desk (LSC)
• Department of Student Life, CFSU Room 100
• Terry Student Center, 26 E. Pearson 3rd Floor (WTC)
• Academic Advising, Sullivan Center (LSC)

March 14 (Friday) Hear current mentors’ experiences at the STARS Information Session
• Bremner Lounge, 4:30p  (LSC)
• Not mandatory, but highly encouraged! Snacks will be provided.

March 17 (Monday)   Applications due to Risë Nelson Burrow 
• Deadline: 4:00 p, CFSU Room 109 (LSC)

March 20 (Thursday)   Candidate Notification
• We’ll contact mentor candidates to set up an interview.

March 28 (Friday)   Mentor Social and Dinner
• Not mandatory, but highly encouraged!
• 6:30, Zips Lounge, CFSU Lower Level (LSC)

March 29 (Saturday)   Individual Interviews
• Starting 9:30a, Hague Conference Room, CFSU Room 100 (LSC)

April 2 (Wednesday)   Selected individuals are notified

April 7 (Monday)   Acceptance Forms due
• Deadline: 4:00 p, CFSU Room 109 (LSC)

April 25 (Friday)   New Mentor Welcome
• Details TBA

STARS Mentor Packet (.doc) / STARS Mentor Application (.pdf) / STARS Mentor Letter of Recommendation (.doc)