Peer Advising Leadership (PAL) Program

The Peer Advising Leadership Program is a unique ministry on campus as it embodies a Christ-like servant leadership philosophy. The PALs' primary motivation is a deep desire to help others through volunteering their service to the University and contributing positively to the new students' transition to Concordia. PALs invest their efforts on meeting the needs of their students and work at creating a sense of belonging for them, thereby enhancing the PALs' Concordia experiences and growth as leaders.

The PAL program has two levels of leadership:

Peer Advising Coordinators (PACs)

• Supervise the Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) and take a lead role in developing and preparing Week of Welcome (WOW), fall orientation and facilitating Spring Orientation.
• Assist with spring and fall PAL training with the Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives.
• Work on campus during the summer months (May-August) under the leadership of the Director.
• There are total of 5 PACs: 4 Freshmen PACs and 1 Transfer PAC. Freshmen PACs oversee the Freshmen PALs and the Transfer PAC manages the Transfer PALs.
• All PACs have previous experience as PALs and are paid a $2000 stipend (split between 2 semesters).

Peer Advising Leaders (PALs)

• Serve as the frontline student ambassadors of CUI during WOW, Spring Orientation and INT 100: Freshman Seminar.
• PALs are sophomores, juniors, or seniors who intentionally invest in our new students' lives from the very first day they arrive on campus.
• There are two groups of PALs: Freshmen PALs and Transfer PALs. Each group focuses on the needs of each group and strives to provide a meaningful and welcoming experience to Concordia.
• Freshmen PALs work alongside the INT 100 Breakout Instructors and assist with facilitating the discussions and activities during each breakout session.
• PALs enroll in INT 103: Leadership, a 1-unit course, during the fall semester which meets once every week.
• PALs are required to host/coordinate at least 4 on/off campus social gatherings for their students throughout the semester. These intentional interactions aim to foster the students' sense of belonging to the campus community.
• PALs volunteer their time and efforts.

PALs/PACs lead a group, either comprised of freshmen or transfer students, during WOW. They host various activities and events designed to help new students connect with one another and develop a sense of involvement. When classes begin, Freshmen PACs/PALs transition to being co-facilitators in INT 100: Freshman Seminar. They assist with the Monday lecture sessions and Breakout sessions.