Peer Assistant Leaders (PALs)
Overview
New Student & Transition Programs is looking for enthusiastic, passionate and driven student leaders willing to be a source of support and information for new first year and transfer students during New Seawolf Orientation and during New Seawolf Welcome.
Peer Assistant Leaders (PALs) are experienced students who have served in a prior leadership position. PALs serve as key mentors to support and encourage new students. Through individual and group interaction, a PAL is a knowledgeable guide, a thoughtful facilitator who provides access to campus resources, and serves as a role model and advocate. PALs are expected to work individually and collaboratively to help new students experience a smooth and positive transition to Stony Brook University, and assist in the creation of an inclusive, academically-focused community. PALs support the recruitment and selection of new ISAs and OLs, and the training of all ISAs and OLs. They serve as a resource to both ISAs and OLs and the New Student & Transition Programs staff as a whole. PALs are enthusiastic and passionate about being a Seawolf, and are driven by their SBU pride.
As a PAL you will be challenged to think critically about the transition experience for new students and their families. You will be working among a team of dedicated student leaders to support the overall new student experience.
Responsibilities
Support the transition of new students, families and their guests to Stony Brook University during New Seawolf Orientation and New Seawolf Welcome.
PALs will:
- Serve as a peer leader to new Seawolves!
- Support New Seawolf Orientation & Transition programs and events
- Conduct small group meetings, virtually and in person
- Participate in student leader panels
- Maintain regular communication with new Seawolves during their first semester at SBU
- Lead ISA & OL training workshops
- Assist with ISA & OL recruitment and selection
- Navigate students questions with professional attitude and offer guidance to support solutions
- Actively participate in training activities
- Assist in the preparation and support of orientation activities and materials
- Inform students of involvement opportunities and procedures
- Acquaint new students with campus facilities, services,and processes
- Assist supervisors as needed
What We Look For
We are looking for a diverse group of enthusiastic, passionate and driven undergraduate students who bring a unique skill-set!
Below are the foundational qualities we expect candidates to bring to this position:
- Desire to assist new students in their transition to Stony Brook
- Desire to be a leader and role-model, including on-campus, online and in the community
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work with diverse students, parents, faculty, and staff
- Punctual and dependable
- Team player
- Strong communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially when communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Prompt response to all office communications (email, Google Calendar invitations, etc.).
- Campus or community involvement (i.e. service, extra-curricular activities, etc.)
- Must be an undergraduate student in Spring 2025 and Fall 2025.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing, must have a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
What You Can Gain
Our Peer Assistant Leaders:
- Play a substantial role in the experience of new students starting at Stony Brook University
- Grow, learn and enhance interpersonal communication, teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking and leadership skills
- Meet and network with faculty, staff, and peers that often lead to other opportunities on campus
- Increase Stony Brook University knowledge
- Develop great friendships
- Receive meals during in person orientation sessions and training
- New Student & Transition Programs Apparel and Swag
- Opportunity to participate in year-round social and professional activities through the Office of New Student & Transition Programs
- Earn $16.50 /hr and have the opportunity to move in early to your residential hall assignment, if you meet our residential requirements (residential summer PALs only)
PAL Time Committment
***Save The Date for a NSTP Student Leader Meet & Greet - Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Time TBD
Winter 2026
PALs must be available early morning through late evening from December 20, 2025 to January 25, 2026 to support New Seawolf Orientation and New Seawolf Welcome.
Virtual Training:
Friday, December 19, 2025 Time TBD
Program Dates:
Virtual Seawolf Connections
December: 20, 22, 23, 29, 30 Times TBD
January: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13 Times TBD
Virtual or in-person Office Hours (3-4 hours per week - must be scheduled and approved in advance)
In-Person NSW Training Dates:
Tuesday, January 20: Times TBD (new staff only)
Wednesday, January 21: 9:00am-4:00pm
NSW Event Dates
Thursday, January 22: 8:00am-6:00pm**
Friday, January 23: 8:00am-9:00pm**
Saturday, January 24: Times TBD
Sunday, January 25: Times TBD
**Dates and times are subject to change to support program needs.
Spring 2026: PALs must be available 3-4 hours per week during the Spring semester January 26, 2026 to May 20, 2026
Required PAL Staff Training/Meetings In-person
Times to be determined after availability is submitted
Event/Program Management and Support
Plan and Execute programs
1 during New Seawolf Welcome
2 during the Spring semester
Bring students to 2 Signature Events
Office Hours
4 hours maximum per week
International Student Ambassadors (ISAs)
Overview
New Student & Transition Programs is looking for enthusiastic, passionate and driven student leaders willing to be a source of support and information for new first year and transfer international students during New Seawolf Welcome and during International Student Orientation.
International Student Ambassadors (ISAs) play a major role in assisting with the adjustment of and serving as an important resource to new international students during their transition to the university community. ISAs play an integral role in facilitation and execution of International Student Orientation and all New Seawolf Welcome programs and initiatives for new students and family members entering Stony Brook University. The ISA team is comprised of self-motivated and driven members who work directly with the professional staff, fellow students and administrators across campus.
As an ISA, you will be challenged to think critically about the transition experience for new international students and their families. You will be working among a team of dedicated student leaders to support the overall new student experience.
Responsibilities
Support the transition of new students, families and their guests to Stony Brook University during New Seawolf Welcome with an emphasis on new international students.
ISAs will:
- Assist new international students as they complete orientation tasks and acclimate during their arrival to SBU
- Learn and share knowledge of campus resources
- Present and/or facilitate discussion during student success workshops on topics such as adjusting to the U.S. culture, educational system, campus resources and more
- Support programming for new international students
- Participate in student leader panels
- Navigate students' questions with professional attitude and offer guidance to support solutions
- Actively participate in training activities
- Assist in the preparation and support of orientation activities and materials
- Inform students of involvement opportunities and procedures
- Acquaint new students with campus facilities, services,and processes
- Assist supervisors as needed
*Potential to continue as an ISA through the fall term to support Transition Programs for new students.
What We Look For
We are looking for a diverse group of enthusiastic, passionate and driven undergraduate students who bring a unique skill-set!
Below are the foundational qualities we expect candidates to bring to this position:
- Desire to assist new students in their transition to Stony Brook, with an eagerness to help new international students
- Desire to be a leader and role-model, including on-campus, online and in the community
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work with diverse students, parents, faculty, and staff
- Punctual and dependable
- Team player
- Strong communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially when communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Campus or community involvement (i.e. service, extra-curricular activities, etc.)
- Must be an undergraduate student in Spring 2025 and Fall 2025.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing, must have a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
What You Can Gain
Our International Student Ambassadors:
- Play a substantial role in the experience of new international students starting at Stony Brook University
- Grow, learn and enhance interpersonal communication, teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking and leadership skills
- Meet and network with faculty, staff, and peers that often lead to other opportunities on campus
- Increase Stony Brook University knowledge
- Develop great friendships
- Receive meals during in person orientation sessions and training
- New Student & Transition Programs Apparel and Swag
- Opportunity to participate in year-round social and professional activities through the Office of New Student & Transition Programs
- Earn $16.50/hr and have the opportunity to move in early to your residential hall assignment, if you meet our residential requirements (residential summer ISAs only)
Required Dates:
***Save The Date for a NSTP Student Leader Meet & Greet - Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Time TBD
Winter 2026
In-Person NSW Training Dates:
Tuesday, January 20: Times TBD (new staff only)
Wednesday, January 21: 9:00am-4:00pm
NSW Event Dates
Please note that specific work schedules will be communicated at a later date, below are the general availability that is asked of all NSTP Student Leaders to support Welcome program needs.
Thursday, January 22: 8:00am-6:00pm**
Friday, January 23: 8:00am-9:00pm**
Saturday, January 24: Times TBD
Sunday, January 25: Times TBD
**Dates and times are subject to change to support program needs.
*Potential to continue as an ISA through the fall term to support Transition Programs for new students.
Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Overview
New Student & Transition Programs is looking for enthusiastic, passionate and driven student leaders willing to be a source of support and information for new first year and transfer students during New Seawolf Welcome.
Orientation Leaders (OLs) play an integral role in the execution of all New Seawolf Welcome programs and initiatives for new students and family members entering Stony Brook University. OLs connect directly with new students during Welcome programs through facilitation of discussions, event implementation and support, and providing a positive and welcoming customer service experience to all new students and their families. OLs model and encourage the energy and pride that is our student community. The OL team is comprised of self-motivated and driven members who work directly with the professional staff, fellow students and administrators across campus.
As an OL, you will be challenged to think critically about the transition experience for new students and their families.
Responsibilities
Support the transition of new students, families and their guests to Stony Brook University during New Seawolf Welcome.
OLs will:
- Lead small group discussions with new students
- Facilitate and support large and small group activities
- Learn and share knowledge of campus resources
- Encourage new student participation and engagement throughout all Welcome activities
- Promote and facilitate interaction between new Seawolves
- Navigate student questions with professional attitude and offer guidance to support solutions
- Actively participate in training activities
- Assist in the preparation and support of orientation activities and materials
- Inform students of involvement opportunities and procedures
- Acquaint new students with campus facilities, services, and processes
- Assist supervisors as needed
*Potential to continue as an OL through the fall term to support Transition Programs for new students.
What We Look For
We are looking for a diverse group of enthusiastic, passionate and driven undergraduate students who bring a unique skill-set!
Below are the foundational qualities we expect candidates to bring to this position:
- Desire to assist new students in their transition to Stony Brook
- Desire to be a leader and role-model, including on-campus, online and in the community
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Positive attitude
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work with diverse students, parents, faculty, and staff
- Punctual and dependable
- Team player
- Strong communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially when communicating with people from different cultural backgrounds
- Prompt response to all office communications (email, Google Calendar invitations, etc.).
- Campus or community involvement (i.e. service, extra-curricular activities, etc.)
- Must be an undergraduate student in Spring 2025 and Fall 2025.
- Good academic and disciplinary standing, must have a minimum semester and cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
What You Can Gain
Our Orientation Leaders:
- Play a substantial role in the experience of new students starting at Stony Brook University
- Grow, learn and enhance interpersonal communication, teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking and leadership skills
- Meet and network with faculty, staff, and peers that often lead to other opportunities on campus
- Increase Stony Brook University knowledge
- Develop great friendships
- Receive meals during in person orientation sessions and training
- New Student & Transition Programs and Orientation Leader Apparel and Swag
- Opportunity to participate in year-round social and professional activities through the Office of New Student & Transition Programs
- Earn $16.50/hr and have the opportunity to move in early to your residential hall assignment, if you meet our residential requirements (residential summer OLs only)
Required Dates:
***Save The Date for a NSTP Student Leader Meet & Greet - Tuesday, December 9, 2025. Time TBD
Winter 2026
In-Person NSW Training Dates:
Tuesday, January 20: Times TBD (new staff only)
Wednesday, January 21: 9:00am-4:00pm
NSW Event Dates
Please note that specific work schedules will be communicated at a later date, below are the general availability that is asked of all NSTP Student Leaders to support Welcome program needs.
Thursday, January 22: 8:00am-6:00pm**
Friday, January 23: 8:00am-9:00pm**
Saturday, January 24: Times TBD
Sunday, January 25: Times TBD
**Dates and times are subject to change to support program needs.
*Potential to continue as an OL through the fall term to support Transition Programs for new students.
Join The Team
New Student & Transition Programs (NSTP) is looking for enthusiastic, passionate and driven student leaders willing to be a source of support and information for new undergraduate students (first-year and transfer)!
Application & Selection Process
All Positions
We are currently recruiting for Summer 2025 Peer Assistant Leaders (PALs), Orientation Leaders (OLs), and International Student Ambassadors (ISAs)!
Priority Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 26 at 11:59pm
Final Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 4 at 11:59pm.
Students are encouraged to apply to more then one position. Please note PALs is a very competitive position and returner applications are prioritized first for this role.
Interest Form
If you are interested in a position in the NSTP Student Leader team for Winter 2026 and beyond, please complete our interest form here!
Questions?
Email us at OrientationLeader@stonybrook.edu or call us at 631.632.6710.