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Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs) are trained upper class students who help first year/incoming students adjust to academic expectations at the college level and college life at UNH Manchester. PALs assist in carrying out components of the First Year Experience program and assist professional academic support staff in educational related activities. They serve as a first year student’s coach, resource, and most of all, mentor.

PALs are selected and appointed through the Office of the First Year Experience. They have a multitude of tasks, including assisting with Orientation, Stepping Stones, maintaining the Orientation Blackboard site for first year students, and primarily, mentoring 10-15 new students in First Year Seminar.

PAL's:

• Serve as a role model of positive behavior, representing the University of New Hampshire at Manchester with pride and respect
• Serve as an advocate for the interests, needs, and rights of first-year students
• Help students adjust and become academically successful
• Serve as a mentor for academic, co-curricular, and leadership involvement
• Serve as a readily accessible source of information for new students
• Initiate outreach in response to academic and social integration needs.
• Respond to advisee co-curricular interests by inviting them to participate in clubs and/or campus events.
• Work collaboratively and support appropriate college personnel (e.g. faculty, peer tutors, academic counselors, and faculty advisors).
• Maintain confidentiality of students and maintain appropriate relationships

For further information contact Dr. Karlea Brunelle-Joiner, First Year Experience Coordinator at unhm.firstyear@unh.edu