6.10 PEER EDUCATOR PROGRAMS
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PCCs (Peer College Counselors) — The Peer College Counselor (PCC) program is a peer advising program sponsored by the Student Services Office and supervised by the Director of College Counseling. This program seeks to develop talents of selected students while allowing them to serve the school and their peers. PCCs are interested in refining their leadership, communication and interpersonal skills by assisting other students with college planning concerns.
PCCs are selected during the Spring semester of the junior year and serve as PCCs during their senior year. The Director will notify junior students when applications are available in the Student Services Office. In addition to the application, students are also interviewed as part of the formal application process.
Selected students are required to participate in summer training and weekly class meetings. PCCs also work at specified times in the CRC — allowing them to assist students during their free periods on a variety of topics. PCCs are also assigned and supervised in their “area of specialty” for which they are primarily responsible. The following is a list of possible areas of specialty:
• Scholarships/Awards
• College & University Information
• Institutional Scholarships
• Standardized Testing
• College Recruiters
• CRC Manager
• Editor of the PCC College Zone Newsletter
• Career Planning/Exploration
• UIUC Information and Special Programs
• Study Abroad & Summer Opportunities
• Website Specialist
One of the most beneficial aspects of the PCC Program is the individualized attention given to junior students. PCCs are assigned a “junior caseload.” Each PCC works with approximately 9 junior students throughout the school year — in small groups and individual meetings, when necessary, preparing them for the formalized college counseling process which begins during the Spring semester. PCCs also offer a variety of “Brown Baggers” (lunch-time seminars) on topics such as:
• Preparing for the PSAT
• Using Calculators on Standardized Tests
• Searching for Scholarships
• Developing a Résumé
• Making the Most of College Visits
• Accelerated Medical Programs
• NCAA/Student-Athlete Information
Each year, PCCs teach a variety of courses during Agora Week. Past courses have included: “Preparing for the SAT: Math & Verbal,” “Beginning the College Search,” “Using the Internet to Search for Colleges & Scholarships,” and “Campus Visits & Interviews.”
Subbie Buddy Program — Subbie Buddies are selected upperclassmen who help the incoming subfreshmen and new students with their transition to Uni High. Each year approximately 20 upperclassmen go through leadership training to serve as peer counselors for new students. New students are divided into groups of six or seven and are assigned two or three Subbie Buddies and a faculty adviser who assist them with their social and academic adjustment to Uni High.
In addition to organizing and coordinating the New Student Orientation and the annual Subbie Retreat, Subbie Buddies work closely with faculty advisers developing weekly advisory meetings. Some of the advisory topics include:
• Opportunities at Uni
• Friendship Transition
• Perfectionism
• Teacher Relationships
• Study Skills
• Cheating/Ethical Dilemmas
• Listening Skills
• Final Exams
• Personalities
• Campus Resources
• Grades/Uni Transcript
Subbie Buddies are selected during the spring semester. Subfreshmen thru juniors may apply. Notices about applying will appear in the weekly memo. Interested students should complete an application that is reviewed by the Subbie Steering Committee, which is made up of current senior Subbie Buddies, teachers, and the administration.