The Graduate Peer Ministry Program
office of residential life
Departments:
Campus Ministry & Residential Life
Position/Title
Graduate Peer Minister
Description/Responsibilities
The Graduate Peer Minister (GPM) is a full-time graduate student who lives in the Boston College first-year residence halls and ministers to undergraduate students. He/she is among the staff members who have the most direct and constant contact with undergraduate students. The Peer Minister’s role within the BC community is very dynamic, and he/she serves as an integral part of the Offices of Residential Life and Campus Ministry. His/her primary responsibility is to provide pastoral care for the residence hall community by enhancing the spiritual, social, intellectual, and vocational formation of their residents. The Graduate Peer Minister articulates for students the Jesuit mission and philosophy of the University. As a mentor, advocate, pastoral presence and role-model to the undergraduates, each Graduate Peer Minister brings his or her own personal gifts of ministry to the position. Whether leading a small faith community, accompanying a group of students on an international service trip, or planning an interactive program, the Peer Minister journeys alongside first-year students, and serves as conversation partners along the way.
The Peer Minister attends weekly hall staff meetings, Peer Minister staff meetings and individual meetings with a supervisor, serves on the liturgical planning teams for Sunday night Mass, and works closely with the Campus Ministry and Residential Life offices and Resident Minister to facilitate inclusive communities that are consistent with the Catholic and Jesuit mission of Boston College. In addition to his/her primary focus of providing pastoral care to residential students, the Peer Minister participates in other Campus Ministry and University wide initiatives that he/she finds to be of interest and meaning.
Qualifications
The Peer Minister position is open to full-time graduate students at Boston College. Candidates must have knowledge of, experience in, and enthusiasm for both Residential Life and Campus Ministry programs. Applicants must possess a strong desire to serve, an outgoing personality, strength in balancing multiple tasks, and be at ease when working with different campus populations. Peer Ministry candidates will live in the first year area residence halls of the Upper and Newton Campuses. They will assist in all aspects of student formation, and will be present in creating living and learning communities that are based on care, faith, support, respect, and hospitality. Successful candidates will be dynamic with excellent interpersonal skills, open to new challenges, practice effective time management, have the ability to articulate their faith, and have a passionate desire to minister and serve first year college students.
Start/End Date: August 4, 2012 – May 22, 2013
Stipend/wage info:
Compensation
Tuition Remission & Stipend: Peer Ministers receive full tuition remission in the amount of 15 credits per academic year as well as an eight month stipend of approximately $262.50/month.
Room and Board: Peer Ministers are provided with a traditional sized first year area furnished room, cable, internet access and a University meal plan during their academic year appointment. Returning Peer Ministers may be permitted to reside on campus during the summer in exchange for working 15 hours per week.
Medical: Peer Ministers are eligible to receive medical benefits for the academic year as determined by the University’s health plan for graduate students.
Other Commitments:The University regards a graduate student who accepts a Peer Ministry position as making a significant commitment that may limit or preclude acceptance of other employment within or outside the University, or acceptance of major offices in campus organizations or activities. Any such plans on the part of the applicant should be disclosed and discussed in the interview process. Outside employment or substantial commitments should be approved in advance by the Residential Life Administrator and the Campus Minister who supervise the program.
Application Process & Contact Information
Please email a resume, contact information for three references and a cover letter to peerministry@bc.edu. Within your cover letter, please address the following three questions:
1. Why do you feel called to minister and serve college students in a residential setting?
2. What characteristics and experiences do you possess that will help make you an effective peer minister?
3. How will your faith and spirituality serve to assist you in the role of a peer minister at Boston College?
Process Timeline
February 6, 2012 - Search Opens
March 26, 2012- Deadline for applications
March 29th, 2012 - Decisions made for candidates who will receive on-campus interviews
April 2 – April 27, 2012 - On-Campus interviews conducted
April 30 – May 4, 2012 – Peer Ministry position offers extended, process closed.
For further information please visit: www.bc.edu/peerministry
Emails should be sent to: peerministry@bc.edu
Contact Information
Catherine-Mary Rivera in Residential Life at 617-552-4718 or
Christine Kamp Cichello in Campus Ministry at 617-552-0855