Job Summary

The Department of Chemistry is seeking talented and highly motivated undergraduates to fill positions as Undergraduate Instructional Assistants Type 2 (UIA-II), commonly titled Peer Leaders (PLs) for the OrgExcel Program (CHE 295 & 297). PLs lead small groups of students in weekly workshops through problem sets developed by the Academic Coordinator to help their group learn how to solve problems in organic chemistry (CHE 230 and 232). PLs function more as coaches than instructors or Teaching Assistants. The only criteria for enrolled students to pass the workshop course are attendance and full participation at every session. PLs are to maintain the utmost standard of responsibility, integrity, and professionalism while in this position. These positions are dependent upon availability of all instructional assistants.

This position requires a full semester commitment of approximately 5 hours per week per section and includes the following duties, expectations, and requirements:

• Attendance and participation in:
  • One-hour, weekly PL meetings.
  • Orientation activities prior to the beginning of the term which include, but are not limited to learning about UK Student Services including:
    • Counseling Center Services (and Dealing with Distressed Students)
    • Students with Disabilities
    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
    • Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP)
    • Discrimination and Harassment
• Working problems sets in advance of the weekly workshop.
• Monitoring of a maximum of 10 students per section, under the supervision of the Academic Coordinator, in the following capacities:
  • Recording attendance.
  • Facilitating group discussion.
  • Answering questions, providing feedback, and other correspondence in-person and online via email, the course discussion site, or other methods.
• Records maintenance and retention of student coursework via the course Learning Management site as well as hard copies.
• Undergoing observation and performance evaluation conducted by the instructor (or delegate).
• Participation in professional development included in but not limited to orientation, weekly meetings, formal in-lab observations and end-of-semester evaluations conducted by the Academic Coordinator, and with any activities throughout the assignment in which there are discussions of appropriate behaviors befitting a professional in an academic setting.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

All PLs receive specific training on course policies. The Academic Coordinator spot-checks grades, resolves any discrepancies or disputes, and determines all final grades.

Students may not exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year for all assignments across campus. First time PLs will only be assigned one section.