This Student Peer Leadership program helps students develop leadership knowledge and skills through the personal and professional development of themselves and others.
Through the Inclusive Modeling Praxis and Continued Training (IMPaCT) program, WISCIENCE seeks to train a community of undergraduate leaders from all STEM disciplines. “Praxis” refers to the process of enacting a theory or lesson. Within a supportive learning community, the three components of the IMPaCT Peer Leadership Program encourage leadership praxis; enacting theories of leadership.
IMPaCT Peer Leadership Program students complete three components:
- Enroll in Integrated Science 230 “Exploring Discipline-Based Leadership”
- Serve as a Peer Leader in a STEM course or program
- Attend two In-Service Trainings each semester of their leadership position
Students who complete all three components of the IMPaCT Peer Leadership Program are recognized during their graduating year with a commemorative graduation stole.
Questions? Contact WISCIENCE (connect@wiscience.wisc.edu)
2022 IMPaCT Peer Leadership Positions:
- BioCommons Ambassadors—advanced leaders who provide information & referral services and create student programming for the BioCommons at Steenbock Library
- Exploring Biology Course Peer Leaders—help with discussion sections of this first-year course
- Exploring Discipline-Based Leadership—facilitate student participation and active learning, and support and collaborate with instructor
- Exploring Service in Science Peer Leader—facilitate student participation and active learning, and support and collaborate with instructors
- Human Physiology and Health Peer Leader—support the course instructor and help increase students’ engagement in the course
- Service with Youth in STEM Peer Leaders—assist students in a community based learning class focused on science education
- Undergraduate Research Peer Leaders—help students get involved and succeed in undergraduate research
- WISCIENCE Communications and Marketing Peer Leaders—assist in the development and implementation of marketing and communication plans
How to apply:
- Review the list of 2022 IMPaCT Peer Leadership Positions.
- Identify the positions that you are interested in and qualified for.
- Assemble your application materials—see ‘application components’ below and in the details for each position.
- Complete the application form by Monday, November 1, 2021 11:59 p.m.
- Complete Integrated Science 230: Exploring Discipline-Based Leadership and Mentoring prior to becoming a peer leader. Applicants who have not taken Integrated Science 230 must enroll for Spring 2021. Students will meet for lecture on Tuesdays 1:00-2:15pm and attend one discussion section either on Tuesdays 2:25-3:15pm or Thursdays 1:00-1:50pm.
Application components:
To apply, you must submit the following materials. Please assemble them before you begin the application.
- An online application form with:
- Contact information
- WISCIENCE courses and programs you have participated in
- Major
- School/College
- Number of credits
- GPA
- A statement of interest for each position you are applying for that includes the following for the specific program:
- Why are you interested in becoming an IMPaCT Peer Leader?
- What do you hope to gain from serving as an IMPaCT Peer Leader?
- What skills (qualification/experiences) would you contribute as an IMPaCT Peer Leader?
- Your ranked position preferences (if you are applying for multiple positions)
- An unofficial transcript (How to obtain a free unofficial transcript)
- Any supplementary materials or answers required for individual positions (see below)
Questions about the application process? Contact connect@wiscience.wisc.edu.
Questions about a peer leader position? Contact the course/program director listed for that position.
Applications are now closed for 2022 IMPaCT Peer Leaders.
Due date: Monday, November 1, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
All 2021 IMPaCT Peer Leadership Positions
INTEGSCI 100: Exploring Biology Peer Leader
Course director: Dr. Cara Theisen (chtheisen@wisc.edu)
Description
Exploring Biology Peer Leaders support student success in Exploring Biology, a 2-credit course for first-year students interested in the biosciences. Peer leaders support in-class activities, collaborate with instructors, give presentations about campus involvement, and provide guidance to students on opportunities and strategies to make the most of their Wisconsin experience. Students in Exploring Biology learn about the biosciences at the college level and the diversity of majors and beyond-the-classroom learning opportunities at UW–Madison.
Timeline
- Spring 2022: monthly meetings
- Fall 2022: Peer leader position with responsibilities below
Responsibilities
Internship for Position
Leaders enroll in INTEGSCI 320 (Internship; 1 credit) in Fall Semester.
Requirements
*Returning Exploring Biology Peer Leaders who are interested in the Senior Peer Leader or Peer Leader Coordinator positions contact Dr. Theisen to apply.
(back to opportunities)
INTEGSCI 140: Exploring Service in Science Peer Leader
Course director: Dr. Anna Bishop Courtier (anna.courtier@wisc.edu)
Description
Students taking this course get a taste of public service in the sciences and find out how to engage various age groups in science effectively. They will learn about university-community partnerships and the essential ingredients for successful outreach while also experiencing successful outreach first-hand by getting involved. Peer leaders will facilitate student participation and active learning, and support and collaborate with instructors for the Exploring Service in Science course, a one-credit seminar course for biology-interested first-year students.
Timeline
Fall 2022
Responsibilities:
Requirements
Internship for Position
Leaders enroll in INTEGSCI 320 (Internship; 1 credit) in Fall Semester.
(back to opportunities)
INTEGSCI 230: Exploring Discipline-Based Leadership and Mentoring Peer Leader
Course instructor: TBD (connect@wiscience.wisc.edu)
Description
Facilitate student participation and active learning, and support and collaborate with instructor for the Exploring Discipline-Based Leadership and Mentoring, a 2-credit lecture/discussion course for STEM student leaders.
Timeline
Spring 2022
Responsibilities
Requirements
Internship for Position
Leaders enroll in INTEGSCI 320 (Internship; 1 credit)
(back to opportunities)
Anatomy & Physiology 235: Human Physiology and Health Peer Leader
Course instructor: Dr. Janet Branchaw (branchaw@wisc.edu)
Description
During the Human Physiology and Health course, students learn basic physiological concepts, apply them to understand human health and disease, and link them to broader core concepts in biology. Peer Leaders in this course will support the course instructor and help increase students’ engagement in the course. The foundational knowledge covered during A&P 235 serves those interested in health sciences majors, as well as non-science students interested in life-long health.
Timeline
Fall 2022
Responsibilities
Requirements
(back to opportunities)
INTEGSCI 240: Service with Youth in STEM
Course instructor: Dr. Anna Bishop Courtier (anna.courtier@wisc.edu)
Description
Service with Youth in STEM (SWYIS) peer leaders facilitate student discussion and active learning in both lecture and lab components. Students in enrolled SWYIS learn how to work with community partners and lead after-school science clubs in the Madison area. Peer leaders taking this 1-credit internship build upon previous work in the community to provide leadership, lead small discussion groups, and support after-school activity development and implementation.
Timeline
Responsibilities
Requirements
Internship for Position
Leaders enroll in INTEGSCI 320 (Internship; 1 credit) in Fall and Spring Semester.
(back to opportunities)
Undergraduate Research Peer Leaders
Program Director: Dr. Amber Smith (amber.smith@wisc.edu)
Description
Use your research experience and training to help undergraduates identify areas of research interest and potential research mentors as well as provide insight into navigating lab cultures. Research Peer Leaders share resources with students interested in engaging in or already engaged in research through workshops, panels, one-on-one meetings, and courses. These peer leaders will also work with WISCIENCE staff to develop new resources and workshops to meet the needs of undergraduate researchers. Through their various responsibilities, Undergraduate Research Peer Leaders will develop skills in public speaking, facilitation, active learning techniques, and more.
Timeline
Responsibilities
The Research Peer Leaders work as a team to accomplish the following. Once you are selected, you will have the opportunity to have input on which responsibilities you take on.
Requirements
Compensation
Leaders can choose to volunteer their time or enroll in INTEGSCI 320 (Internship; 1 credit) in Fall and Spring Semester. To receive internship credit, leaders must develop and implement one new resource or program each semester.
(back to opportunities)
BioCommons Ambassadors
Program Director: Dr. Jerí Bryant (jlbryant2@wisc.edu)
Description
Help build community and connect students to campus resources through the BioCommons. The BioCommons is a welcoming home base and central gateway to the biological sciences at UW-Madison. It includes a set of spaces in Steenbock Library, which are available for biology-related and STEM opportunities and activities hosted by groups from around campus as well as compilations of information about STEM-related opportunities such as study abroad trips, summer research, or student orgs. Resources are available in the physical space and online at biology.wisc.edu. The BioCommons promotes diversity and cross-campus community and helps students find answers to their questions, learn about the STEM landscape at UW-Madison, get engaged in high-impact learning experiences, access support services, and become more proactive in shaping their education.
Responsibilities
Requirements
Compensation
BioCommons Ambassadors starting pay is $10.00/ hr for assisting with WISCIENCE programming and working desk hours and events at the BioCommons.
(back to opportunities)
WISCIENCE Communications & Marketing Peer Leaders
Program Director: Jon Hess (hessjr@wisc.edu)
Description
Assist in the development and implementation of the marketing and communication plans and work of WISCIENCE across multiple platforms to various target audiences. This position works in collaboration with the WISCIENCE Director of Marketing and Communications to develop and coordinate communications specific to each unique program/course/event, while maintaining common branding/themes across all unit communications. Develop professional skills and gain exposure to a wide range of marketing and communication fields of work (copywriting, graphic design, web development, digital/social media, photography/multi-media, event planning, data/analytics, branding, and more).
Timeline
Responsibilities
Requirements
Compensation