Call for Applications: CUNY Peer Leaders Program (Due June 30, 2020)

We together with the world have experienced extraordinary challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of already very difficult and unprecedented times, we mourn the loss of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and the many Black men and women we have lost before them. We stand with everyone demanding justice for the senseless violence against the Black community, because we are all intricately connected by our common humanity. If one race of our community is hurting, it adversely impacts all of us.

Our unity to combat racism, systemic racism, bigotry, police violence, oppression and to fight for equality, as individuals and as a Leadership and mentorship program, is stronger than ever. We stand with and support everyone in the fight to end these injustices.

About the CUNY Peer Leaders Program

The new CUNY Peer Leaders program is a joint program that combines elements of the CUNY Humanities Alliance LaGuardia Mellon  Scholars program and the Futures Initiative Undergraduate Leadership and Democracy Fellows Program. The program is supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

The new CUNY Peer Leaders program welcomes thirty undergraduate students from any CUNY college with opportunities to develop a humanities themed project and a portfolio of public writing pieces on the program blog, in addition to transferable skills such as identifying needs and resources, leadership and peer mentoring skills.

CUNY Peer Leaders for 2020-2021 will participate in a variety of virtual meetings, professional development workshops and opportunities designed to build community, leadership skills, and support success in school and beyond. Additionally, CUNY Peer Leaders will develop a portfolio of public writing pieces and a year-long humanities project, and will receive guidance from peers, staff and faculty.

To Thank You For Participating 

Students will receive a stipend of $1,000 for their participation (divided into two payments in October 2020 and February 2021), as well as support for cultural enrichment activities of the program if circumstances permit.

Uncertainties Created By The COVID Pandemic

Given the uncertainties created by the COVID pandemic, this year’s program may change depending on developments at CUNY and in New York City more broadly. Much remains unknown about the 2020-2021 academic year, and our work together will require more flexibility than usual. We hope the program will help participating students develop strategies and support systems to navigate an unusual year.

What We Expect From The 2020-2021 CUNY Peer Leaders

Because we may not be able to meet together in person, this year’s activities will include times when we gather together virtually as well as things that can be done on your own. CUNY Peer Leaders will be expected to attend meetings on Friday evenings, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm (two meetings each month). There will also be a few optional cultural enrichment activities (such as virtual trips to a theater or a museum) that will be scheduled outside of these times.

• Participate in full day kickoff orientation at start of the program (Tuesday August 18, tentative date). You must attend this orientation in order to be eligible for the program.
• Respond in a timely manner to emails and scheduling requests from program Directors.
• Write and publish monthly blog posts, and comment on your peers posts.
• Develop a year-long humanities project, and will receive guidance from peers, staff and faculty.
• Attend meetings on Friday evenings (virtually, however may change depending on developments at CUNY), from 4:00 to 6:00 pm (two meetings each month).
• Take part in activities and enrichment opportunities that foster mentorship and leadership skills, and talk with one another about your own studies and work-life balance.

All CUNY undergraduate students are welcome to apply

All CUNY undergraduate students are welcome to apply. Past participants of the CUNY Humanities Alliance LaGuardia Mellon Humanities Scholars program and the Futures Initiative Undergraduate Leadership and Democracy Fellows Program are also welcome to apply for a second term. Payment for undocumented students is complicated, but we are committed to equitably funding these students. If you are undocumented and selected as a CUNY Peer Leaders, you will need to coordinate with us on payment.

For a glimpse into last year’s programs, visit: https://cunyhumanitiesalliance.org/about-laguardia-scholars/
https://futuresinitiative.org/mentors.

We invite you to apply here for this program.