STUDENT PROGRAMS & ORGANIZATIONS

Peer Advisors

Peer Advisors work with first year students and assist them in acclimating to the Tufts environment. These students (Peer Advisors) volunteer their time. They are upper class students and bring a wealth of diverse experiences to the program. The purpose of the advising program is to aid first year students and help when necessary; therefore Advisors are appropriately involved and not intrusive.

Advisors plan and facilitate programs to address issues such as adapting to the collegiate academic environment, working with faculty advisors, getting academic tutoring, developing time management skills, negotiating how to live in a residence hall and securing an internship. Advisors also work with student organizations on social programs.

The Africana Center Director interviews and selects Peer Advisors in the spring semester of each academic year. Advisors complete an intensive training program and then work with first year students during the following academic year.

The selection process for Peer Advisors is based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) approachability, open-mindedness, enthusiasm, experiences at Tufts, organizational and leadership skills and the ability to work with a team. Advisors are expected to attend the pre-orientation training (the week before first year students arrive), the Cape Cod orientation program, on-going training sessions, and develop other programs to assist first year students.

Peer Advisors facilitate workshops and programs during the Africana Center Cape Cod Orientation Retreat (ACCOR). The Center sponsors a two-day retreat at the beginning of the fall semester. The retreat is an extension of Orientation and allows students to meet other first year students, as well as upper class students, faculty and staff. The purpose of the program is to address any questions and concerns students have about what life is like for students of African descent at Tufts. African American, Haitian, Biracial, Multiethnic, Multiracial, Caribbean, Ghanaian, Nigerian, Kenyan, South African, Cape Verdean, Brazilian, Latino and other students of African descent choose to take part in this retreat. Each year the retreat receives rave reviews and more than 75% of the entering class participates in the program.

Click here for a Peer Advisor application.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS