Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment:
Chico State is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At California State University, Chico, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and equitable learning and working environments.
Position Title: Sociology Game Changers Peer Mentors (Instructional Student Assistant)
College/Unit: Behavioral and Social Sciences
Department/School: Sociology
Priority Review Date: July 17, 2026; completed applications received after that date may be reviewed as needs arise.
Seasonal Role Working Dates: 08/17/26 – 05/21/27
Pay Range: $17.86-$23.84
Location Type: Online
Role Description:
The Sociology Department in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences is collecting application materials for peer mentors.
Description of Duties:
Peer mentors in the Sociology Department's Game Changers program support classmates in the Sociology Online major as peer coaches. They support student success by helping to address students' educational, social, and emotional needs.
Peer mentors are hired into one of two tracks, and work with the same cohort of (30) students in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027:
- SOCI 300 (Classical Social Theory) in Fall, and SOCI 301 (Contemporary Social Theory) in Spring, or
- SOCI 310 (Social Research Methods) in Fall, and SOCI 315 (Statistical Analysis for the Social Sciences) in Spring
Peer mentors will provide support to students in the following ways:
- Helping students understand directions and assignments
- Cultivating study skills
- Outreach to students who are experiencing low attendance and/or engagement
- Providing moral support and encouragement
- Identifying the right campus resources to address students' needs
- Communicating with faculty
- Creating a sense of community
Peer mentors will:
- Check in with each student at least once per month via text or Pronto, and encourage students to meet with them
- Hold online office hours or online study jams
- Meet virtually with faculty & other peer mentors once a week
- Regularly attend class sessions on Zoom
- Help faculty member (and department) understand points of friction for students in the course and/or in the program
Peer mentors are not tutors and do not grade.
Peer mentors can expect to work approximately 5 hours per week; all work is performed remotely. The Sociology Department will hire up to six (6) peer mentors for the 26-27 academic year. Peer mentors are required to attend several days of training before the start of the Fall semester.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Current Chico State Sociology major
- Distance education (online) student
- Evening and weekend availability for office hours/study jams, and/or student check-ins
- Commitment to working for both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters
- Enrolled at Chico State for both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters
Exceptions to the minimum eligibility qualifications may be granted at the sole discretion of the University.
Preferred Qualifications
- Participated in the Game Changers cohort program as a student
Applicants must provide:
- Resume
- Brief cover letter introducing yourself
- Copy of unofficial transcript
- Class schedule / availability
Additional information may be requested at a later time. All applicants must apply online; applications submitted via email or in-person to the department will not be considered.
Notification Procedure:
Selected applicants will be notified via email and/or phone call to arrange an interview. Applicants not selected to move forward will be notified by email. Final decision will be communicated via email.
Job-related questions should be directed to:
Annie Chen, Search Committee Chair
Department of Sociology
400 West 1st Street
Chico, CA 95929
530-898-6384
aachen@csuchico.edu
Additional Information:
All work must be performed within the State of California.
Compliance training completion (approximately 4 hours of work time) is required of this position within the first 30 days of work.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
For disability-related accommodations, please call the ADA Coordinator at (530) 898-5959.
All positions are contingent on funding.
Chico State is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status and only employ individuals authorized to work in the U.S.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University, Chico provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. California State University, Chico complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or on any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Chico State’s Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at the Chico State Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
