Student Development
Peer Advisor SWAT Team
The Peer Advising (SWAT: Students Working to Assist Transitions) Program is designed to act as a support unit for all First Year Students. The Peer Advising core is made up of 42 upperclassmen students that have experience in college life and the knowledge about our campus. It is structured so that First Year Students will receive at least the following support:
- 2 Programs per semester designed to promote academic and college life success
- Speakers on topics pertaining to college issues
- 3 Peer Advisor/Advisee interpersonal contacts per semester
- Workshops and seminars focusing on student development
- Special invitations to programs and functions
- Hands on introduction to college life by Peer Advisors during First Days
This group of volunteers are dedicated to helping First Year Students succeed and find their path at MCLA. It is a great program that offers peer tutoring and peer support during one of the most difficult years for college students. Peer Advisors are required to make connections with other offices and departments across the campus as well as interact with Faculty members to ensure success for their advisees. Programs and resources are created by these connections and used throughout the year. Students are assigned to the Peer Advisors based on their major and co-curricular interests so that immediate connections can be fostered. If you have any questions or would like to know more about this program please feel free to contact Celia Norcross, Director of Student Development at Celia.Norcross@mcla.edu or by calling 413-662-5102.
Academic Resource Assistants
These 19 peer advisors serve as resource assistants to our First Year Experience courses. These courses serve as an important introduction to our college community and academic life varying in topics from across our CORE curriculum. These students assist the growth of our students outside of the classroom within the areas of ePortfolios, hosting writing seminars and advising workshops in conjuction with Student Development and CSSE (Center for Student Success and Engagement).
