Peer Advising & Leadership Program (PALs)
Support for New Students
Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) are experienced Concordia students who walk alongside new freshmen and transfer students during their first year. PALs serve as mentors, connectors, and guides—helping students navigate campus life, access resources, and build meaningful relationships from the moment they arrive.
Through programs such as Week of Welcome, Spring Orientation, and INT 100: Foundations, PALs support students by leading small groups, facilitating discussions, and offering one-on-one encouragement throughout the semester.
Student Leadership Opportunities
The Office of Orientation and First-Year Experience offers several student leadership roles that support new students and campus-wide programming. These roles provide hands-on leadership experience, mentorship training, and opportunities to serve the Concordia community.
Leadership opportunities include:
- Peer Advising Leaders (PALs)
- Transfer Mentors
- Orientation Coordinators
- FYE Interns
- PAL Coordinators
Each role contributes to creating a welcoming, supportive environment for new Golden Eagles while helping student leaders grow in leadership, communication, and service.
Meet The Team
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Carlee Tierno
Orientation Coordinator
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Grace Dejongh
Orientation Coordinator
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Maximus Upchurch
Assistant Director for First Year Experience and Student Involvement
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Rosie Sauer
Orientation Coordinator
Apply to Be a PAL
Becoming a Peer Advising Leader is an opportunity to serve, lead, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of new students. PALs are sophomores, juniors, or seniors who commit to supporting incoming students throughout orientation and their first semester at Concordia.
What the role includes:
- Mentoring a group of new students
- Supporting Week of Welcome and orientation events
- Participating in leadership training
- Enrolling in INT 105: Leadership
- Hosting intentional community-building activities
Application Checklist
- Complete this application.
- A recommendation form must be completed (First Year Experience staff may NOT be used as references).
- To verify your GPA, email a current unofficial Concordia University Irvine transcript (saved as a PDF from MyRecords to [email protected]).
- All pieces of the application (including signing up for an interview) time must be completed and returned.
Length of Commitment
PALs commit to the FYE program from date of acceptance in the spring semester through the Summer and the end of the Fall Semester.
Training Timeline
- Spring Semester:
- PALs participate in one training session during the spring semester.
- Serve as Concordia Ambassadors for Admitted Students’ Day
- Find out PAL Pairings for the Fall Semester
- Summer
- PALs return for CU Soon Training mid-summer
- PALs send new student emails to their WOW team
- Fall Semester:
- PALs arrive to campus two weeks prior to classes starting to participate in Student Leadership Training and WOW!
- PALs participate in their INT 100 section and biweekly PAL WOWs
Fall Orientation
PALs will lead a group, either comprised of freshmen or transfer students, and will host various activities and events designed to help new students connect with one another and develop a sense of belonging on campus.
INT 105: Leadership Course
All student leaders enroll in INT 105: Leadership, a 3-unit course to help students grow their understanding of leadership development. Once this class has been completed, student leaders do not have to take this course again.
Get in Touch
Have questions about your first year? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
Office of Orientation and First-Year Experience
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612
Phone: (949) 214-3065
Email: [email protected]