Become an Undergraduate Peer Ambassador

Research has shown that peer mentoring programs are effective for both the peer mentors and the mentees. For example, peer mentors report gains in communication skills, improved career preparation, and enjoyment of the experience. Mentees report that peer mentors enhance their experiences by helping them feel more connected to the university. Peer mentoring programs have been associated with increased retention rates (Abeywardana et al., 2020; Dolan & Johnson, 2009; Thiry et al., 2011). 

Peer Ambassadors work to promote undergraduate research at KSU in general and will specifically work with students in the First-Year Scholars Program. Peer Ambassadors work approximately 3-5 hours per week and are paid $10 per hour. There are opportunities for more hours per week if your schedule permits. Please check out the information below for more details on this program. 

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Meet the 2024-2025 Peer Ambassadors and View the Current Workshop Schedule

Click Here

Program Guidelines & Application Information

Peer Ambassador Responsibilities

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is always trying to increase the visibility of undergraduate research for students. Peer Ambassadors will help in this mission within their own college, through the following:

  • Facilitate research related workshops for first-year scholars and the general campus community 
  • Increase knowledge about OUR classroom visits with the faculty of their colleges, and facilitate scheduled visits
  • Mentor first-year scholars and/or any student engaged in research, during scheduled appointment times 
  • Represent the OUR and promote OUR programs at the KSU Open Houses, and partner with existing Spotlight Tours to bring attention to undergraduate research within their colleges 
  • Represent and promote the OUR and OUR programs while working at KSU New Student Orientation Resource Fairs 
  • Attend weekly meetings with the OUR Director and Program Manager
  • Participate in OUR events, as available, including OUR Open House, Symposium of Student Scholars, First-Year Scholar Orientation Sessions, Student Researcher Check-in Sessions, End of Semester Socials, and others

Student Applicant Requirements

Any undergraduate or graduate student who has experience doing research is eligible to participate. We especially encourage applicants in these categories:

  1. Students who have previously served as First-Year Scholars themselves.
  2. Students with extensive research experience (1+ years) and who have presented at conferences and/or published.
  3. Graduate students, especially in disciplines heavily represented in the First-Year Scholars Program (see the entire list of projects).
  4. Students must have a 3.0 GPA at the time of submitting their application.

Applicants must be able to commit to the program for one full academic year. Hours for each semester will be set to not conflict with class or other work schedule.  

We welcome applications from all students, including students from underrepresented minority groups.

The application is housed on the InfoReady platform, and student applicants will be asked to provide the following information:

  1. Name
  2. KSU Email Address
  3. Class Standing
  4. Major & Minor
  5. Anticipated Graduation Date
  6. A Short Bio
  7. Research Information
    1. Faculty Research Mentor(s) - may list up to 5
    2. Current and Past Research Experience(s) - may list up to 10
  8. Supporting Information
    1. Personal Interest Statement
      • Note your interest in the program and what makes you an excellent candidate
    2. Letter of Recommendation
      • Choose one of your faculty research mentors to provide a letter of recommendation

The application for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open in InfoReady. Please login using your KSU credentials.

Apply Here

Applications will be accepted from students representing the disciplines within the following colleges:

  • Bagwell College of Education
  • College of Computing and Software Engineering
  • Geer College of the Arts
  • Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
  • Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:59pm

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Graduate students who are serving as a GRA/GTA are NOT eligible (graduate assistantships' contracts stipulate no other paid work at the university). Graduate students who do not have a paid graduate assistantship are welcome to apply.

    Undergraduates who work on campus can work no more than 20 hours per week across all of their positions. If you take a Peer Mentor position, you can only work about 16 hours per week at the other campus job.

    Students can have no more than 2 student assistant positions at KSU. Students who already have 2 positions would have to drop one to take on this role. Eligibility requirements and student employment parameters can be found on pages 6-8 of the student employment handbook.

  • The following information will be used to select peer ambassadors:

    1. Disciplinary background of the applicant. We hope to hire Peer Ambassadors that can cover the breadth of disciplines represented in the First-Year Scholars Program.
    2. Past experience with research. Peer ambassadors will need to have experience conducting research. Factors that the review committee will consider include: 
      1. The amount of time applicants have spent conducting research
      2. Experience disseminating the research at conferences and/or in publications
      3. Any funding the applicant has received for conducting research
      4. Any awards the applicant has received related to research
    3. Personal characteristics. Peer ambassadors will need to be responsible, stable, hard workers, reliable, innovative, empathetic, and show a positive attitude and willingness to learn. In addition, peer mentors need to be able to support students with diverse backgrounds and should have excellent organizational and time management skills. 

  • Training will be provided to all accepted mentors. Training modules will include the following: 

    • Mandatory Orientation
    • Undergraduate Research Overview (e.g., Office of Undergraduate Research resources and initiatives)
    • Peer Mentor Program Overview (e.g., duties, requirements, time commitment, communication rules)
    • Interpersonal Skills (e.g., communication skills, emotional intelligence)
    • Cultural Skills (e.g., culturally responsive mentoring)
    • Facilitation Skills (e.g., best practices in facilitating a workshop, best practices in working in teams)
    • Campus Resources (e.g., Writing Center, Counseling & Psychological Services, Career Planning & Development, Library, Student Disability Services)

  • Abeywardana, S. U., Velasco, S., Hall, N., Dillon, J., & Chun, C. A. (2020). Near-peer mentoring in an undergraduate research training program at a large master’s comprehensive institution: The case of CSULB BUILD. Understanding Interventions Journal, 11(1), 1–32. Retrieved from https://www.understandinginterventionsjournal.org/article/12477-near-peer-mentoring-in-an-undergraduate-research-training-program-at-a-large-master-s-comprehensive-institution 

    Dolan, E., & Johnson, D. (2009). Toward a holistic view of undergraduate research experiences: An exploratory study of impact on graduate/postdoctoral mentors. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 18(6), 487–500. Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/166953/ 

    Thiry, H., Laursen, S. L., & Hunter, A. B. (2011). What experiences help students become scientists? A comparative study of research and other sources of personal and professional gains for STEM undergraduates. The Journal of Higher Education, 82(4), 357–388. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/article/447038