Centralized Residential Student Leadership Application
MIT
URL – URL /
Part Time /
On-site
Role of Peer Mentor
The function of the Residential Peer Mentor is to strengthen the support network for first-year students within their residential communities. Peer Mentors are community-builders within the residences and serve as a support person for a group of first-year students (mentees). They will assist in the implementation of First-Year Experience programs that take place in their houses and across campus. Successful Peer Mentors draw upon, and connect students to, resources within the house structure and across the Institute. Above all, they are role models for other students in their living groups and across MIT. Academic coursework takes precedence over this position; however, being a Peer Mentor needs to come before any other club, activity, sport, or additional job. Peer Mentors report to Undergraduate Residential Life and receive direct supervision from the Area Director of their residence hall.
Role of Summer RA
The Summer Resident Assistant (SRA) role is a crucial part of MIT Undergraduate Residential Life's efforts to support and promote a healthy and inclusive community for designated summer housing buildings. Summer RAs will attend a required training at the end of the Spring Semester and will be provided with free housing in their assigned building.
Term goes from Tuesday, May 27 - August 6th, 2025
Role of Peer Engagement Ambassador
The Peer Engagement Ambassador (PEA) is responsible for strengthening the support network for first year students across residential communities. . This position is an opportunity for students who have previously served as Peer Mentors to assume a senior position within Residential Life. Peer Engagement Ambassadors (PEA)s are community-builders and serve as a role model, resource, and mentor and liaison with Peer Mentors across campus; additionally, they will assist in the implementation of campus-wide First-Year Experience programs. Successful PEAs draw upon, and connect students to, resources within the house structure and across the Institute. Above all, they are role models for other students in their living groups and across MIT. Academic coursework takes precedence over this position; however, being a Peer Engagement Ambassador (PEA) needs to come before any other club, activity, sport, or additional job.
Peer Engagement Ambassador (PEA)s report to Undergraduate Residential Life and receive direct supervision from the Associate Dean of Residential and Community Life with additional support from Peer Mentor Committee.
Role of Residential Navigator
See description here
Residential Peer Mentor Responsibilities
- Be a role model for your first-year students and in your living community.
- Initiate and maintain positive relationships with students who live in your residence hall. Be available and visible for the first-year residents who live in your hall.
- Be an active member of your community, participating in the life and activities of your hall. Listen attentively to student concerns and questions.
- Treat conversations with students privately. Peer Mentors should never discuss students' concerns in public or with their peers - bring questions to your Area Director.
- Maintain regular contact with your mentees.
- Comply with all the policies and procedures of MIT and your living group.
- Maintain positive relationships with your Heads of House and Area Director.
- For full list of responsibilities please check out the website.
Summer RA Responsibilities
- Term goes from Tuesday, May 27 - August 6th, 2025
- Attend all required trainings unless a member of the Summer RA Committee has approved an absence
- Plan and implement social and educational events
- Attend scheduled staff meetings (times TBD based on schedules)
- Attend scheduled one-on-one meetings with your supervisor
- Maintain regular availability, with time away approved by supervisor
- No time off requests will be approved during the first two weeks or the last week of the dates listed above
- Absences of two or more days must be approved in advance
Peer Engagement Ambassador Responsibilities
- Serve as a role model for Peer Mentors and first-year students in your living community
- Assist with Peer Mentor Training and any ongoing learning opportunities for RPMs
- Attend Peer Mentor Committee meetings occasionally acting as a liaison for RPMs.
- Produce a (monthly/bi-monthly) newsletter highlighting events, spotlighting RPMs, and other achievements of the program.
- Organize one on-campus first-year event with the Peer Mentor Committee each semester.
- Organize one off-campus first-year event in the Boston/Cambridge community each semester.
- Be an active member of your community, participating in the life and activities of your hall and the campus community.
- Listen attentively to student concerns and questions.
- Treat conversations with students privately.
- Comply with all the policies and procedures of MIT and your living group.
- Maintain positive relationships with your Heads of House and Area Director and House Residential Peer Mentors
- Coordinate teambuilding activities and lead or assist with other portions of RPM Trainings
- Attend and participate in all training and meetings as they are mandatory, communicate when there are conflicts.
- For a full listing of responsibilities, please see the website.
Thank you for taking the time to apply for the role(s) of Residential Peer Mentor and/or Summer Resident Assistant. In addition to the questions below, you will also have to complete a Wedge One Way Video Interview for your application(s) to be considered complete.
Peer Mentor Important Dates:
RPM and PEA Move-In Aug 21st
In-Person Training August 22nd 9am-3pm
RPM assistance FY Move-In August 23rd
First Year Event August 29th, time TBD
Summer RA Important Dates:
Completed Applications; Priority Consideration - Wednesday, April 9 @ 9am
1st Round Offers Sent Tuesday, April 15 @ Noon
1st Round Offers Accepted by Friday, April 18 @ Noon
2nd Round Offers Sent Friday, April 18 @ 6pm
2nd Round Offers Accepted by Monday, April 21nd @ 9am
Rolling Offers sent as needed after Monday April 21
Mandatory Training is Week of the May 27th; approximately 8 - 10 hours over two days
Early Move in is Sunday, May 25
Peer Engagement Ambassador Important Dates:
RPM and PEA Move-In Aug 21st
In-Person Training August 22nd 9am-3pm
RPM assistance FY Move-In August 23rd
First Year Event August 29th, time TBD
Summer RA Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I'll be graduating this May. Can I still be a Summer RA?
A: Unfortunately, no. Congrats on graduating!
Q: I am a graduate student/will be continuing at MIT as a graduate student next year. Can I apply?
A: No, graduate students are not eligible to be Summer RAs.
Q: What is the general time commitment?
A: Approximately 10 hours/week (this includes staff meetings, meetings with supervisor, social programs, community walk-throughs, etc.) but this is flexible depending on the duty schedule or unexpected student concerns and discussed with your designated supervisor.
Q: I want to be a Summer RA, but I can't make the designated training dates. Is this possible?
A: All Summer RAs are required to participate in training. If you'll only be missing one day/part of a day, email summer-ra@mit.edu and we can discuss on a case-by-case basis. Training times will be set largely based on availability of staff.
Q: I know I have plans to go away for a few days this summer. Is that okay?
A: Generally, yes. RAs must submit time away requests at least two weeks in advance and receive approval from their supervisor. If you anticipate trips of more than one (1) week, you would not be eligible. This position is only 10 weeks long, and extended time away would not work well within this role. If you know of commitments now, please share these during your interview process.
Q: I want to live in (specific dorm). Is that possible?
A: You are welcome to share your preferences; however, we do not make any guarantees about placement. All placements are dependent upon staffing needs.
