First-Year Experience (FYE) Leadership Programs

The Office of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives focuses to provide a welcoming and supportive environment that prepares you with valuable resources that are critical in transitioning successfully here at Concordia University Irvine. Our office has two levels of leadership: Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) and Peer Advising Coordinators (PACs). These leadership positions are unique ministries on campus that embody a Christ-like, servant leadership philosophy.

Peer Advising Leaders (PALs)

• Serve as the front line student ambassadors of CUI during SOAR, Spring Orientation and INT 100: Foundations.
• 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 instructors to assist with class discussions and activities.
• 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.

Peer Advising Coordinators (PACs)

• Supervise the Peer Advising Leaders (PALs) and take a lead role in developing and preparing Student Orientation Activities and Registration (SOAR), and facilitating Spring Orientation.
• Assist with spring and fall PAL training with the Director of First-Year Experience Programs & Initiatives.
• There are total of 3 PACs: 2 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 an hourly rate for their hard work throughout the year.
• Hours for this position are approximately 5 hours a week in the fall and spring, and between 20-30 hours a week in the summer (June – August).