College of Charleston Peer Counselor
application
Program Description
The Counseling and Substance Abuse Services office at the College of
Charleston offers a peer counseling program focused on first year freshman and
transfer students. Students will be able to connect with a peer counselor who
understands some of the complexities of navigating the system of accommodations, as
well as receiving suggestions on how to make the most of the resources available
through the CASAS office. The peer counselors are upperclassman and graduate
students with many different interests, talents, and experiences who will connect with
freshman and transfer students and act as a resource, role model, and a sounding
board for mentee’s questions, concerns, and frustrations.
Overview of the Peer Counseling Program
The purpose of the CASAS peer counseling program is to provide mentees with
information on student support services, academic skills such as time management,
organization, critical thinking skills, self-advocacy, and student life. Peer counselors also
help students to identify their goals and how to develop the skills needed to make those
goals a reality. The role of the peer counselor is to guide, rather than to instruct; provide
resources, rather than supply the answers, and encourage improvement, rather than
criticize poor choices. Counselors are not expected to be “miracle workers” or to have
all of the answers, but counselors are expected to utilize information obtained from
training sessions, and consult with the Coordinator and Counselors of Counseling and
Substance Abuse Services. Counseling sessions are NOT tutoring sessions.
Counselors provide mentees with the resources, study skills, and problem-solving
abilities they will need to handle future situations.
Goals of the Peer Counseling Program
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Provide academic, personal, and social support for students
Assist students in the navigation of the college environment
Build relationships between students, staff, and faculty
Foster individual development of self-reliance and self-advocacy
Confidentiality
Student information disclosed to the Counseling and Substance Abuse Services
department at College of Charleston is protected by the Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.
Academic Ethics
Mentors (peer counselors) and mentees must adhere to the Student Code of
Conduct policy on Academic Dishonesty as described in the University catalog.
Suggested Tips for Mentee Success
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Ask for help
Speak to your professors during office hours
Set clear goals for each class
Get organized and schedule your time appropriately
Find a quiet place to study/eliminate distractions
Seek professional assistance when needed/utilize resources
Be honest with yourself
Work hard and never give up
Break down requirements into series of smaller tasks
Read syllabi carefully and periodically during the semester
Know what accommodations are appropriate for you
Skills and Qualities Desired in a Peer Counselor
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Possess the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of people
Exhibit leadership potential and eagerness to continuously improve
Display a high degree of maturity, responsibility, professionalism, flexibility,
motivation, integrity, and initiative
Possess the ability to manage time and multitask efficiently
Duties of a Peer Counselor
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Act as a resource to mentees by sharing information about a variety of aspects
regarding the College of Charleston community
Work with CASAS staff to facilitate the success of all aspects of the Peer
Counseling Program
Positively represent the College of Charleston
Before submitting an application, please attend an Information Session January 14 or
15th at 3:30 pm) and be completely familiar with the FAQ info on the Peer Counseling
website.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 25th, 2012.
All Application materials must be turned in to Counseling and Substance Abuse
Services.
Location: Top Floor of Robert Scott Small Building
An interview will be scheduled following the receipt of the materials.
TIME COMMITMENT: Minimum Six hours per week for the academic year 2011-2012.
Peer Counseling shift: 4 hours
Marketing/development/outreach: 1 hour
Meetings/Trainings: 1 hour
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS: Minimum GPA of 3.0
Minimum Earned Credit Hours: 30
MISSION:
Peer Counseling is a service for College of Charleston students offered by College of
Charleston students. The program is supported by CofC’s Counseling and Substance
Abuse Services and other CofC faculty and staff. Peer Counselors provide therapeutic
listening, help with decision making, and referrals for various campus and
local services and activities. All of this is offered in a confidential, non-judgment
environment.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
_ Provide therapeutic listening skills to College of Charleston students
_ Market the services of the Peer Counseling Program.
_ Participate in weekly meetings/supervision sessions
_Participate in campus outreach related to health education initiatives
TRAINING
_ Therapeutic listening skills
_ Assisting with decision making processes
_ Referrals to campus and community services
NOTE: The recommendation forms must be completed by instructors, advisors, or
supervisors from your current or previous place of employment. All recommendations
must be signed by recommender on the seal of the envelope.
Mail or bring all application materials (in one envelope) to:
Peer Counseling
Counseling and Substance Abuse Services
175 Calhoun Street
College of Charleston
29414
College of Charleston Peer Counseling Application
Name _______________________________________ Date ____________
Male _____ Female _____ Student ID#______________
Race/Ethnicity
Date of Birth ______________
Email Address _______________________________________________
Local Address
____________________________________________________________
Permanent Address
_______________________________________________________________
Home phone ___________________ Cellular ___________________________
Major _________________________ G.P.A. (Min: 3.0) __________
* If grade point average falls below a 3.0 after being accepted or during participation
in the Peer Counseling Program, acceptance will be reconsidered.
Class: Sophomore _____ Junior _____ Senior _____ Grad Student_____
Expected date of graduation _______________
Expected semester course load for the Spring and Fall semesters ______
Total credits earned at a college or university (Min: 30) ________
Will you be working during this academic year? YES_____ NO_____
If yes: Number of hours? ________
List all languages you speak fluently: ________________________________
Have you ever been involved in a college judicial sanction? YES__ NO__
If yes, please explain:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
College of Charleston Peer Counseling Application
Page 2
Have you ever been arrested? YES__ NO__
If yes, please explain:
Have you ever been hospitalized for a mental health issue? YES__ NO__
If yes, please explain:
_______________________________________________________________
Are you experiencing any mental health concerns that are not successfully treated and
managed?
YES__ NO__
If yes, please explain:
_______________________________________________________________
List any impediments you might have to effectively delivering Peer Counseling services.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
List College of Charleston and or community activities; positions held and level of
commitment:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
List all organizations and service opportunities in which you are currently active;
including offices you hold.
1. ___________________
2. ___________________
3. ___________________
4. ___________________
5. ___________________
6. ___________________
List previous leadership experiences you have had:
Do you have any experience working with and/or speaking to students with disabilities?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
I agree, if accepted as a peer counselor, to:
 Attend weekly meetings
 Participate in one counseling shift per week
 Commit for an entire academic year
 Participate in marketing/ advertising activities at least twice per month
 To be an active member of group
Signature of Applicant: ___________________________________
Date: _________________
College of Charleston Peer Counseling
SELF EVALUATION AND ESSAY STATEMENT
Name: _______________________________________________________________
1. Please evaluate the following characteristics. Order them from the most like you to
the least like you. Keep in mind that we will be looking for evidence in your application
and references to support your thoughts.
Organization skills
Communication skills
Ability to work as part of a team
Initiative
Accepts responsibility
Uses good judgment
Creativity
Comfort with views other than your
own
Public speaking
2. Essay Statement: On a separate sheet of paper, please attach a typed essay (1-2
pages) responding to (a),(b) and (c).
a. Describe why you want to be in the College of Charleston’s Peer Counseling
Program.
b. From the list of characteristics above, state which two (2) qualities you feel are most
important to being a Peer Counselor and describe prior experiences in which you have
demonstrated these characteristics.
c. Peer Counselors are highly trained and eager to learn. One of our main goals is to
make sure students know about the program and know how helpful it can be. Describe
what you would do to market this program and how you would work to implement your
idea.
PEER EDUCATOR PROGRAM Recommendation Form
Candidate’s Name:
________________________________________________________
A small, select group of College of Charleston students are trained to providing Peer
Counseling to College of Charleston students. Training consists of therapeutic listening
skills, decision making processes, and referrals.
Students most likely to experience success in the program possess strong leadership
and social skills, assertiveness, good judgment, creativity, initiative, follow-through, and
commitment.
Needs improvement
Organization skills
1 2 3
Communication skills
1 2 3
Ability to work as part of a team
1 2 3
Initiative
1 2 3
Follow through on commitments
1 2 3
Maturity
1 2 3
Accepts responsibility
1 2 3
Uses good judgment
1 2 3
Creativity
1 2 3
Outstanding
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2. How long have you known the candidate?
3. Please describe your working relationship with the candidate:
4. Briefly describe the candidate’s strengths:
5. Briefly describe the candidate’s area(s) for growth:
6. Overall, do you:
_____Highly recommend this candidate
_____Recommend
_____Recommend with reservations
_____Not recommend this candidate
Signature of recommender______________________________________
Date_______________
Name_______________________________________________Title______________
____________
Be sure to sign the seal of the envelope.
PEER EDUCATOR PROGRAM Recommendation Form
Candidate’s Name:
________________________________________________________
A small, select group of College of Charleston students are trained to providing Peer
Counseling to College of Charleston students. Training consists of therapeutic listening
skills, decision making processes, and referrals.
Students most likely to experience success in the program possess strong leadership
and social skills, assertiveness, good judgment, creativity, initiative, follow-through, and
commitment.
Needs improvement
Organization skills
1 2 3
Communication skills
1 2 3
Ability to work as part of a team
1 2 3
Initiative
1 2 3
Follow through on commitments
1 2 3
Maturity
1 2 3
Accepts responsibility
1 2 3
Uses good judgment
1 2 3
Creativity
1 2 3
Outstanding
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
6
6
6
6
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2. How long have you known the candidate?
3. Please describe your working relationship with the candidate:
4. Briefly describe the candidate’s strengths:
5. Briefly describe the candidate’s area(s) for growth:
6. Overall, do you:
_____Highly recommend this candidate
_____Recommend
_____Recommend with reservations
_____Not recommend this candidate
Signature of recommender______________________________________
Date_______________
Name_______________________________________________Title______________
____________
Be sure to sign the seal of the envelope.