Become A Peer Leader

The Schmidthorst College of Business (CoB) Peer Leader Program utilizes a select group of current students to help incoming first year business students transition to the CoB and college life. Peer Leaders are knowledgeable and experienced guides, trusted allies, and caring role models. Their role is to provide information about BGSU and the CoB, refer to appropriate people and campus resources, and help new students by sharing their own personal experiences and ways of overcoming obstacles. Peer Leaders also encourage new students to get involved and take advantage of the many academic, professional, and social opportunities in the CoB and BGSU.

Why be a Peer Leader?

Some benefits to becoming a Peer Leader include:

• Hands-on leadership training

• Leadership experience to include on resumes (and scholarship applications) and to share in interviews

• Recognition by the Dean, Business Faculty, and Staff as a top student leader

• Making a positive difference in the life of new business students

• Peer Leader apparel for events

• One credit hour leadership training course for the fall semester

• Making connections with not only the new business students, but also the Business Faculty and Staff that you work with

How do I become a Peer Leader?

Each spring, the Schmidthorst College of Business selects students for the Peer Leader Program. To be considered for the program, students must attend an open house and complete the application process.

After attending an open house, students who meet the qualifications below are eligible to submit application materials:

• Have one or two max semesters as a business student on the Main BGSU campus prior to applying.

• Must be pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree or Bachelor of Science in Economics.

• Must be available to serve as a Peer Leader for one year beginning in Spring following selection to the program.

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, positive attitude, and initiative.

• Be willing to attend their Peer Leader class once a week.

• Must be willing to attend various social engagement events with your assigned BA1500 class.

• Be able to actively communicate with their students throughout the semester.

Those selected as a Peer Leader are required to complete training sessions during the spring semester. Each Peer Leader is assigned one section of BA1500. Peer Leaders will connect with new students electronically during the summer prior to their freshmen year, meet with students after the Dean’s Welcome on Opening Weekend (Fall), present to students in BA 1500 weekly, maintain regular contact with the students throughout the fall semester, and attend various social engagement events with your assigned BA1500 class.  

What do I need to submit?

Before submitting application materials, applicants must attend a Peer Leader Open House:

After attending an open house, please make sure your resume has your high school GPA on it, and then complete the Canvas application.

Applicants will be selected based on an evaluation of application materials.  

For any questions about this program, please contact Ruth White, Peer Leader Program Faculty Advisor, at rcwhite@bgsu.edu or cobpeerleaders@bgsu.edu.