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Department:
Living-Learning Communities Support
Time Type:
Part time
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
The University College (UC) Program Leader (PL) is an undergraduate part-time student staff member of University College. The UC PL fulfills a vital role, mentoring new AU students by helping them to integrate learning experiences gained from both inside and outside of the Complex Problems (CP) seminar. The UC PL reports jointly to their UC Senior Program Leader (SPL) and UC Program Staff.
The UC PL builds community within the CP seminar and larger UC Community, by providing academic and social guidance, and serving as a liaison between faculty and students. UC is comprised of 7 cohorts, a smaller UC family, that has 3 -5 Complex Problems seminars that share a similar theme. Each cohort has around 57 - 95 students. PLs work collaboratively with their UC SPL within their cohort to address student needs and provide co-curricular opportunities.
UC PLs support the students in their seminar and larger UC cohort. This work will be accomplished through weekly UC PL meetings that the UC SPL will facilitate and monthly cohort meetings that UC staff will facilitate. Emphasis is placed on the UC PL as a responsible leader and colleague, representing University College as part of the whole campus community.
The Living-Learning Community (LLC) Best Practices Model, an empirically based model for modern LLC programs, guides much of the work that is accomplished in the UC program. UC PLs are expected to adhere to the following core elements of the model to build and sustain the UC program: Infrastructure, Academic Environment, Co-Curricular Environment, and Assessment.
Learning Outcomes:
Throughout the duration of this position, UC PLs will:
Build and employ knowledge of campus involvement and local opportunities, campus partnerships, and institutional resources.
Learn the components of serving as an academic and social guide and role model for first-year students.
Gain experience and transferable skills with administrative tasks, leadership, and personal and professional development.
Develop interpersonal communication skills through facilitation and individual relationships.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
Part-time
5 hours per week.
Start Date: June 1, 2026 (UC SPLs) and August 19, 2026 (UC PLs), End Date: December 4, 2026.
Salary Range:
$18.40 per hour.
Required Education and Experience:
The UC PL is an undergraduate student, enrolled in a degree-granting program with full-time status (minimum: 12 credits, maximum: 17.5 credits).
UC PLs must have achieved 30 credits at AU (and be in sophomore class standing) and have successfully completed CORE 105, CORE 106, or CORE 107.
UC PLs are expected to prioritize their own academic work and progress; as such, UC PLs should aspire to maintain their typical academic performance or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 while serving in this role.
UC PLs are expected to maintain good judicial standing with AU.
Academic credits, judicial standing with American University, and GPA will be verified prior to the start of the semester.
UC PLs must notify their supervisor of any changes to their student status that occur throughout the semester.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications:
1.) Training Requirements
All UC PLs must attend and fully participate in required staff training prior to the beginning of the Fall semester. Requests to miss any portion of training must be submitted in writing in advance to the Assistant Director for University College and Sophomore LLCs (at least a month's notice is required for non-emergencies and will be approved on a case-by-case basis). PLs must also attend other trainings and developmental activities as scheduled throughout the semester (see “Position Requirements and Expectations”).
2.) Prior to Semester Commitments
Prior to the start of the semester, UC PLs are expected to:
Participate in spring orientation before summer break (Friday, April 24 from 4PM – 5PM)
Meet with or communicate with your CP seminar’s faculty member prior to the end of the Spring 26 Semester.
Write a welcome email to students enrolled in your CP seminar prior to the first week of classes in and send to universitycollege@american.edu by June 1st.
Participate in 1.) Summer cohort meetups and cohort meetings (as available – non-paid for PLs, paid for SPLs), 2.) UC PL training (August 19 - 21, 2025). UC PLs who live on campus will tentatively move into their fall placement earlier that week. 3.) UC Kickoff Experience in the week of August 23 - 25, 2026.
3.) Job Performance and Continued Employment
This is a one semester (Fall 2026) appointed position where reappointment is subject to a reapplication process, satisfactory job performance evaluations, and position availability. The UC PL may be asked to participate in formal or informal evaluations during the semester as directed by the supervisor. University College faculty and staff may offer performance feedback as described in the Job Performance Accountability section below.
4.) Compensation
The UC PL will be paid the minimum hourly wage: $18.40 per hour. A UC PL is expected to work approximately 5.5 hours per week or 80 hours total for the semester, as outlined below ("Time Commitment"). Each UC PL is responsible for recording and submitting hours worked on their timesheet during each pay period before the assigned deadline. This position may be paid through regular student wages or a Federal Work Study award. UC SPLs and PLs are required to submit a detailed justification for going over the allotted hours in any given pay period via Workday. It is the responsibility of the UC PL to understand their own financial aid package, and the impact of the UC PL position upon that package. UC PLs are encouraged to contact their financial aid counselor when considering the position.
5.) Time Commitment
The University College program understands the UC PL role to be one part of the UC PL’s multi-faceted life at American University. The UC PL position requires regularly scheduled responsibilities and unscheduled responsibilities, and times at which UC PLs must be available and accessible to students. A reasonable work schedule would include both types of time, including regularly scheduled responsibilities (CP seminars, staff meetings, etc.), and availability at varying intervals during the day and night (one-on-one meetings with students, programming, etc.). The UC PL will work approximately 5.5 hours per week as follows: 2.5 hours of the CP seminar(s), 30-minute planning or one-on-one meeting with faculty, 2 hours of availability for students and course preparation, 30-minute weekly team meeting with Senior PL.
The number of hours worked may fluctuate week to week—a UC PL may work more or less than 5 hours per week, as necessitated by 1-1 meetings early in the semester, ongoing student support, and co-curricular programs. The total hours worked during the semester should not exceed 80 hours. When performing duties related to the UC PL position and for the expected 5.5 hours per week, the UC PL role will be the staff member’s priority. UC PLs should be prepared to arrange their schedule to prioritize the UC PL role, maintaining job performance as well as their own academic progress.
6.) Outside Commitments
UC PLs must be mindful of time management related to outside commitments. These commitments include other student leadership/organization positions, second jobs, internships, etc. UC PLs with outside commitments over 16 hours/week must meet with a UC staff member to determine a time management plan. Campus employment should not exceed 26 hours per week. UC PLs must inform the UC staff of other positions held on campus (Resident Assistant, AU Ambassador, etc.).
If job performance is compromised because of any outside commitments, the UC PL may be given a recommendation from their supervisor to limit or cease outside activities to improve job performance. Continued poor performance may result in employment probation or termination.
7.)Meetings and Communication
Attend and be on time for all Complex Problems seminar meetings; prepare for seminar appropriately.
Participate in on-going training throughout the fall semester (in-services). UC PLs are required to attend at minimum two paid in-services.
UC PLs will be able to sign up for their in-services during fall training.
Attend weekly team meetings with Senior UC PL.
Attend planning/one-on-one meetings with assigned faculty member.
Attend Summer cohort meet-ups and meetings as available (non-paid).
Utilize AU email account and check email/Slack daily for correspondence regarding PL role.
Communicate regularly, maintaining positive relationships with faculty, Senior UC PLs, and UC Staff UC PLs should be available to their students and inform students on when they are available for meetings at the beginning of each semester.
Provide information in a timely manner for the UC newsletter.
8.) Infrastructure Development and Support
UC PLs are expected to support and develop positive relationships with faculty/staff through on-going communication.
UC PLs are expected to support and develop positive relationships with Housing & Residence Life staff members, working most closely with the Resident Assistant(s) where their cohort is housed.
UC PLs are encouraged to participate in the planning and execution of student recruitment events, and other necessary orientation and recruitment events throughout the academic year as determined by the UC staff.
UC PLs are expected to serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and UC staff.
9.) Academic Environment Development and Support
UC PLs are expected to create an academically supportive climate for students by encouraging study groups and creating space for class questions, concerns, etc.
UC PLs are expected to respect any policies and procedures outlined by the faculty member for the CP seminar and assist with facilitating class discussion when applicable.
UC PLs are expected to create opportunities for students to think critically about the concepts and themes learned in their CP seminar, helping students process classroom materials as needed.
UC PLs are expected to advise and/or refer students within the limits of the PL’s training and ability concerning academic matters, applying knowledge of university resources when appropriate.
UC PLs are expected to promote acceptance and consideration in the attitudes and behaviors of students in the class.
10.) Co-Curricular Environment Development and Support
UC PLs are expected to facilitate the development of a positive community for their cohort based on the mission/vision statements and learning outcomes, while also helping to integrate the cohort with the larger community in the residence hall.
UC PLs are expected to assist faculty with opportunities to interact casually with students through office hours, co-curriculars, etc.
UC PLs are expected to adhere to UC co-curricular expectations and requirements (four co-curriculars (see below), creating a variety of co-curricular opportunities that help to increase engagement in their co-curricular. Three Co-curriculars focused on an experiential learning activity engaging the academic content focus. One of the three need to be facilitated by the cohort in collaboration. One Co-curricular can be focuses on social engagement and community building.
UC PLs will participate in the planning and execution of UC-Wide events (events for all students a part of the programs) which will take place 2-3 times per semester or as determined by the UC staff. At minimum, UC PLs are required to attend the Kickoff event in August and the End of Semester event in December. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
UC PLs are expected to engage each of their seminar students in a 1:1 discussion the first 6 weeks of the semester, noting any of their goals, apprehensions, questions, etc.
UC PLs are expected to advise and/or refer students within the limits of the PL’s training and ability concerning personal and/or social matters, applying knowledge of university resources when appropriate.
11.) Assessment Development and Support
UC PLs will engage in the development of the UC assessment plan which includes but is not limited to surveys and focus groups.
UC PLs are expected to encourage student participation in UC’s assessment plan.
UC PLs will assist the UC staff in reviewing information gathered from surveys and focus groups, providing recommendations for improvement to the UC program.
12.) Role Modeling
Understand that all actions of a UC PL (including those engaged outside of the classroom) are observed by students, other UC PLs, and staff members. UC PLs must hold themselves accountable to university policies, regulations, and procedures.
Be mindful of appropriate boundaries of the UC PL-student relationship. UC PLs are explicitly prohibited from pursuing any romantic and/ or unprofessional relations with students enrolled in their section of CP.
Faculty will have individual expectations for the UC PL’s role in the classroom, which may include some of the following activities: provide academic support or guidance on assignments, participate in or facilitate seminar discussions, observe student participation, read and respond to discussion boards, help students who have missed class to catch up, etc.
UC PLs are encouraged to show enthusiasm for learning and to take advantage of the opportunity to be part of a Complex Problems class.
Student Employee Responsibilities:
Report concerns and violations of published University policies, regulations, and procedures in an accurate and timely manner to UC Staff.
Abide by FERPA and American University professional and ethical standards of conduct, maintain confidentiality, and not release private information regarding staff and/ or students.
Other Duties as Assigned:
Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude UC Staff from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.
Job Performance Accountability:
1.) Purpose
UC professional staff members are committed to the growth and development of UC student staff members. They work closely with UC student staff members to provide a thorough understanding of the expectations of the UC PL role. The following consequences may apply should the UC PL’s job performance fall below minimum standards. All cases will be handled with fairness and objectivity, and UC PL’s should be honest with program staff about any issues that arise.
2.) Accountability Process
Written Warning - This is both a verbal discussion with the supervisor suggesting to the staff member that the student’s behavior is unacceptable and a written warning that subsequent violations will result in additional employment action.
Probation - This is a written statement from the supervisor indicating to the staff member that if their conduct and/or job performance does not improve, additional job action may occur. The supervisor will specify areas of performance or conduct improvement and will set a date for re-evaluation. The length of probation is to be determined by the supervisor.
Termination - This is a written statement from the supervisor indicating to the staff member that they will be immediately dismissed from all job-related responsibilities and privileges.
3.) Examples
The following behaviors may result in the UC PL receiving a written warning, probation, or termination:
Unexcused absence from training.
Unexcused absence from CP seminar class.
Unexcused absence from required staff meeting.
Programming responsibilities not met.
Verbal or physical abuse / harassment.
Failure to meet responsibilities of student employees as outlined above.
Other behaviors that contradict the responsibilities outlined throughout these guidelines for employment.
4.) Grievance Process
If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a University College team member that you have been unable to resolve, please use the following grievance reporting process:
Concern About Complex Problems Faculty - Report to Assistant Director, University College and Sophomore LLCs.
Concern about Senior PL or other PL - Report to Assistant Director, University College and Sophomore LLCs.
Concern about Assistant Director, University College and Sophomore LLCs - Report to Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Education and Academic Services.
5.) Recognition of Excellent Performance
The performance expectations as outlined above represent the standard Program Leader job commitments. Many UC PLs go above and beyond expectations, through offering extra co-curricular events, inspiring meaningful changes in their seminar dynamics, supporting students in crisis, or many other possibilities. Throughout the semester, the University College staff will work to recognize and celebrate UC PL achievements.
Other Details
This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
American University is an E-Verify employer.
Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu
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