The Office of First Year Experience
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in the Office of First Year Experience (FYE) at the University of Central
Florida. Our office combines orientation with extended first year transition programs including UCF's
official Welcome Week (Pegasus Palooza), Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK),
the Strategies for Success (SLS) course, the Out of State living learning community (OSSM), and Parent
and Family Programming. The mission of FYE is to empower students to develop holistically by building
a foundation for their success. Through comprehensive programming and leadership development
opportunities, we enhance students' and families' transition to, connection with, and understanding of the
UCF community.
We are seeking two new dynamic members to help us accomplish our mission and goals. Currently our
office has two open Graduate Assistant Positions that will work with our Out of State Student Mentoring
program, Pegasus Palooza, and our Strategies for Success course (SLS 1501). Though these positions
have specific programs they work with. However, graduate students will not be limited to only working
with their main focus areas. We not only want to develop our incoming students holistically, but our staff
as well. The job descriptions of our Graduate Assistant positions are attached below. Please note only two
of the three positions will be available for applicants during this interview cycle.
If you are interested in being considered for an interview please complete the following application online
(Application), and submit a cover letter and resume to Josh Wheeler at jwheeler@ucf.edu. All application
information must be received by 5:00pm on Monday February 10, 2014. We will review applications
and if you are selected for an interview we will contact you by Monday February 17, 2014 to schedule
your interview time. We will be conducting interviews at this year’s Higher Education and Student
Personal interview weekend on February 21, 2014. If you are unable to attend this interview weekend we
will work to schedule a phone or Skype Interview. If you are interested in both positions please make sure
this is reflected on the application as well as in your cover letter. There is no need to submit two
applications.
We look forward to meeting with you to discuss the opportunities available in the Office of First Year
Experience. Please review all application material and job descriptions carefully. If you have any
questions about these positions, or the Office of First Year Experience please visit the First Year
Experience Website or contact Josh Wheeler at jwheeler@ucf.edu or 407-823-5105.
Thank you for your consideration,
The Office of First Year Experience Staff
FYE Graduate Assistantship
Main Focus, Out of State Student Mentoring Program (OSSM),
Pegasus Palooza, & FYE Programming
Office of the First Year Experience
Start Date: Fall 2014 (Willing to pay hourly if GA wishes to start in Summer 2014)
Position Description
The Office of First Year Experience (FYE) combines orientation with extended first year transition
programs including UCF's official Welcome Week (Pegasus Palooza), LINK, and the Strategies for
Success (SLS) course. It assists entering freshmen and transfer students with their transition to UCF by
providing information about student services, campus life, academic support, academic advising, and
registration. OSSM & FYE Programs Graduate Assistant plays an integral role in students’ and families’
transition to the University of Central Florida.
The Office of First Year experience prefers that applicants serve two years in this Graduate Assistant
Position.
Responsibilities of the OSSM & FYE Programs Graduate Assistant will include, but are not limited
to:
OSSM
Peer Mentor Program
 Supervise the OSSM Peer Mentors including facilitation of monthly meetings
 Organize and facilitate peer mentor training and leadership development
 Manage programming efforts organized by the OSSM Peer Mentors
Programming
 Supervise the mentors in the development and implementation of social and academic
programming geared towards first-year, out of state students
 Collaborate programming efforts with the Department of Housing and Residence Life
Advising
 Facilitate academic workshops aimed at the Knights Achievement scholarship recipients
(tuition assistance for out of state students)
 Maintain knowledge and understanding of academic policies and procedures
 Navigate functions of myUCF and PeopleSoft as related to student records
 Collaborate with the office of First Year Advising and Exploration on all programming
efforts
General
 Organize OSSM marketing and recruitment efforts





Manage OSSM program attendance and track student participation
Complete with OSSM program assessment
Attend and participate in staff meetings, training and other staff development as indicated
by supervisors
Represent the University of Central Florida in a positive and professional manner by
living the UCF Creed: Integrity, Scholarship, Community, Creativity and Excellence
Maintain confidentiality of student information as required by university, state, and
federal regulations
Pegasus Palooza
Executive Board
 Execute the hiring process for the Student Director
 Work with student director to interview and select the seven executive board members
 Facilitate Pegasus Palooza board retreat
 Support student director in the facilitation of weekly board meetings during the Spring
and Summer semesters
 Oversee the specific program planning pieces for LINK Launch and Knight Rave
Publications & Promotional Items
 Oversee the development of all publications, including the Fall guidebook
 Supervise the director and board members in the selection and ordering of promotional
items
 Approve and submit T-Shirt artwork, numbers, and company information for shirts to the
Office of Student Involvement
General
 Oversee the summer activities, including tabling at orientations, and Summer B events
 Oversee the recruitment of volunteers
 Collaborate with Campus Activities Board to plan production, chair set-up, and stage
build
 Complete SAFE Forms for each major event sponsored by First Year Experience
 Attend each night-time event the week of Pegasus Palooza
 Manage budget for promotional items, publications, and t-shirts
 Track attendance and complete assessment
General FYE Responsibilities




Maintain regular weekly office hours- 20 hours total
Position responsibilities will require occasional evening and weekend hours
Work with FYE functional areas
Other FYE duties as assigned
Qualifications and Preferences
Applicants must currently be pursuing graduate course work at the University of Central Florida.
Preference will be given to applicants in the Educational Leadership: Higher Education/Student Personnel
program.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
 Professionalism, Punctuality, and Patience
 Teamwork, Creativity and Initiative
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills
 Discretion as it relates to privacy and student confidentiality
General Information and Compensation
The FYE Graduate Assistant will work 20 hours at $10.64 an hours per week during Fall semester 2014
as well as the Spring and Summer 2015 semesters. A tuition waiver will be provided as well as graduate
student health insurance through UCF.
Supervision
The FYE Pegasus Parent Graduate Assistant will be supervised by the, Coordinator of the Office of First
Year Experience.
FYE Graduate Assistantship
Main Focus Strategies for Success, SLS 1501 and FYE Programs
Office of the First Year Experience
Start Date: Fall 2014 (Willing to pay hourly if GA wishes to start in Summer 2014)
Position Description
The Office of First Year Experience (FYE) combines orientation with extended first year transition
programs including UCF's official Welcome Week (Pegasus Palooza), LINK, and the Strategies for
Success (SLS) course. It assists entering freshmen and transfer students with their transition to UCF
by providing information about student services, campus life, academic support, academic advising,
and registration.
The Freshman Seminar is a 3-credit course designed to assist students in transitioning into the
University and collegiate life. Taught through the First Year Experience office, the Freshman
Seminar provides first-year students with important life and study skills, helping them to adjust to
college requirements, which leads to self-mastery, a strong academic foundation, and the total
concept of lifetime wellness. In addition, SLS 1501 will introduce students to the many resources
UCF has to offer.
The Office of First Year experience prefers that applicants serve two years in this Graduate
Assistant Position.
Responsibilities of the FYE SLS Graduate Assistant will include, but are not limited to:
 Recruit, interview, select, and schedule SLS peer mentors for Summer, Fall and Spring
 Hold meetings regularly with all peer mentors to provide training on various leadership and
personal growth and development topics
 Create lessons, activities, or training information for each Peer Mentor meeting or
training held
 Act as the liaison between instructors and peer mentors, facilitating communication
between them by assigning peer mentors to each SLS section
 Evaluate mentor performance and work through any complications that may arise
 Maintain frequent communication with all SLS Peer Mentors and the instructors
 Author, review and edit portions of the textbook and course materials
 Create all marketing and promotional materials associated with the SLS 1501 program
 Research and assess the peer mentor program as well as other aspects of the SLS
program, measuring the effectiveness of new initiatives and learning outcomes
 Aid in the training of SLS faculty by reviewing course material, curriculum, and how to
effectively use their peer mentors
 Continuously monitor and update the SLS website and social media platforms such as
KnightConnect, Twitter, and Facebook
 Observe and help facilitate a section of SLS 1501 if required





Attend committee meetings and SLS instructor workshops throughout the year
Attend all First Year Experience staff meetings
Meet regularly with the SLS 1501 Program Coordinator and the Assistant Director of
First Year Experience
Work alongside professional staff to implement other programs run by the office such as
LINK, Family Weekend, Pegasus Palooza, and Orientation Team.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Preferences
Applicants must currently be pursuing graduate course work at the University of Central Florida.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
 Professionalism, Punctuality, and Patience
 Teamwork, Creativity and Initiative
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills
 Discretion as it relates to privacy and student confidentiality
General FYE Responsibilities




Maintain regular weekly office hours- 20 hours total
Position responsibilities will require occasional evening and weekend hours
Work with other FYE functional areas
Other FYE duties as assigned
Qualifications and Preferences
Applicants must currently be pursuing graduate course work at the University of Central Florida.
Preference will be given to applicants in the Educational Leadership: Higher Education/Student
Personnel program.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
 Professionalism, Punctuality, and Patience
 Teamwork, Creativity and Initiative
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills
 Discretion as it relates to privacy and student confidentiality
General Information and Compensation
The FYE Graduate Assistant will work 20 hours at $10.64 an hours per week during Fall semester
2014 as well as the Spring and Summer 2015 semesters. A tuition waiver will be provided as well
as graduate student health insurance through UCF.
Supervision
The FYE SLS graduate assistant will be supervised by the, Director of the Office of First Year
Experience.
FYE Graduate Assistantship
Main Focus Pegasus Parent & FYE Programs
Office of the First Year Experience
Start Date: (THIS POSITION IS NOT AVALIABLE AT THIS TIME)
Position Description
The Office of First Year Experience (FYE) combines orientation with extended first year transition
programs including UCF's official Welcome Week (Pegasus Palooza), LINK, and the Strategies for
Success (SLS) course. It assists entering freshmen and transfer students with their transition to UCF by
providing information about student services, campus life, academic support, academic advising, and
registration. The Pegasus Parent & FYE Programs Graduate Assistant plays an integral role in
students’ and families’ transition to the University of Central Florida.
The Office of First Year experience prefers that applicants serve two years in this Graduate Assistant
Position.
Responsibilities of the Pegasus Parent & FYE Programs Graduate Assistant will include, but are
not limited to:
 Maintain and update Pegasus Parent website.
 Develop and implement a Pegasus Parent communication plan.
 Present Pegasus Parent information at each FTIC parent orientation program.
 Oversee use of Pegasus Parent email listserv.
 Maintain and update Pegasus Parent social media accounts and initiatives.
 Update and maintain the Parent ambassador program.
 Assist in the development and implementation of Family Weekend.
 Hire, train, and advise The Ultimate Knight orientation presenters and program.
 Support other programs and initiatives within the Office of First Year Experience.
 Other duties as assigned.
General FYE Responsibilities




Maintain regular weekly office hours- 20 hours total
Position responsibilities will require occasional evening and weekend hours
Work with other FYE functional areas
Other FYE duties as assigned
Qualifications and Preferences
Applicants must currently be pursuing graduate course work at the University of Central Florida.
Preference will be given to applicants in the Educational Leadership: Higher Education/Student
Personnel program.
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
 Professionalism, Punctuality, and Patience
 Teamwork, Creativity and Initiative
 Excellent written and verbal communication skills
 Discretion as it relates to privacy and student confidentiality
General Information and Compensation
The FYE Graduate Assistant will work 20 hours at $10.64 an hours per week during Fall semester 2014
as well as the Spring and Summer 2015 semesters. A tuition waiver will be provided as well as
graduate student health insurance through UCF.
Supervision
The FYE Pegasus Parent Graduate Assistant will be supervised by the, Associate Director of the Office
of First Year Experience.