Peer Assistance Leaders (PALs) provide support to first year engineering women to help them transition from high school into the Cockrell School. PALs also work with WEP to recruit students to the university.
PALs:
- serve as resources and role models
- provide academic advice
- organize opportunities for first year women to get connected within the Cockrell School
- visit with prospective students and their families
- serve as panelists for programs
PAL Objectives
Women account for only about 23 percent of the undergraduate population in the Cockrell School. That fact, coupled with the university's size, can leave some students feeling lost in the crowd. WEP's goal for the PAL program is twofold:
- Increase the retention and graduation rates of women in the Cockrell School by providing them with a strong mentoring relationship in their first year.
- Recruit additional female students into the Cockrell School by providing potential students with relevant information.
PALs provide new students with resources that will help them become part of the UT engineering community and make informed decisions about their pursuit of an engineering degree and career. In addition, PALs also provide pre-college students with meaningful interactions that will inspire them to take on the challenge of engineering as a major and create realistic expectations of their course of study and career options. Additionally, being a PAL is a great way to contribute and build your resume!!
Current Student PAL Responsibilities
- Attend the Student Leaders Conference and PAL Training
- Participate in FYIsland in the fall and FYIceland in the spring
- Maintain regular contact with mentees and encourage regular communication
- Meet individually with mentees and invite them to attend meetings/events/outings with you
- Attend Chocolate Chats
- Provide timely information regarding upcoming events and encourage mentees to attend FYI events
- Help with personal/academic concerns and refer to WEP staff as necessary
- Have fun!
PAL Application Requirements
All students applying to be a PAL must be in good academic standing as a degree seeking student in the Cockrell School. Candidates must have second year standing and be enthusiastic about helping other students. PALs that mentor first year students must enroll or have completed the WEP Leadership Seminar; transfer PALs must have entered UT as a transfer student. Pre-College PALs assist with recruiting and outreach activities.
