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OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENTPeer Educator Training Program

About CRLA IPTPC

The Office of Academic Engagement was certified as a College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) International Peer Educator Training Program (IPTPC) in 2022. OAE has utilized IPTPC trainings since inception of peer mentoring in 2017. Through CRLA Peer Educator Training, peer mentors/advisors complete rigorous training and development standards in advance of mentoring secondary and postsecondary students from historically excluded populations.

Benefits to Peer Educators

Teaches the skills and knowledge commensurate with best practices for academic engagement and support services.
Increases confidence in the content area, communication, academic organization, and professional performance.
Creates a pathway to documenting experience and growth over time.
Encourages mentors to view themselves as paraprofessionals in their work.
Improves training and evaluation focus.
Strengthens peer mentor resumes in the form of an internationally recognized certificate.
Maintains a culture of equity and learning.

Learn More

CRLA IPTPC

Contact

Josefina Galvan-Barajas
Assistant Director – College Success Programs
The Commons, 2nd Floor
509-335-4678
j.galvan@wsu.edu

Who is Eligible?

Eligible peer mentors & advisors are:

Currently Interning or employed with OAE.
In good standing academically and meeting WSU’s community standards.

At this time, CRLA Peer Educator Certification Training is only available for current Office of Academic Engagement employees
To request information on CRLA IPTPC partnerships, contact Josefina Galvan-Barajas.

CRLA Certification Requirements

Level 1

Level 1 certification is for Peer Educators learning the basics of being a Peer Educator

Training Requirements:

10 hours of Peer Educator training.

5 hours must be Peer Educator-Trainer led, Interactive and Synchronous (TIS).

Experience Requirements:

25 hours of direct service per Peer Educator.

Sample Topics:

Basics: Administrative Policies, Record keeping and Reporting
Communication: Communications Styles
Ethics & Equity: Compliance with FERPA
Learning/Studying: Course and Syllabus Analysis & Universal Design Learning

Level 2

Level 2 certification is for Peer Educators continuing their training for a more in-depth professional development.

Training Requirements:

20 hours of Peer Educator training.

Experience Requirements:

50 hours of direct service per Peer Educator.

Sample Topics:

Basics: Review of Level 1
Communication: Working with Specific Populations
Ethics and Equity: DEIJ
Learning/Studying: Assessing Peer Educator’s Needs

Interested in Becoming a Peer Educator?

Our hiring and selection process:

Candidates are interviewed by a search committee including supervising Coordinator and current Peer Educators. The interview is 30 minutes in length, and provides an opportunity to discuss personal, professional, and academic skills and experiences.

GPA requirement is determined by GPA required for the candidate’s major program. 2.5 is the requirement for many WSU programs, and effectively ensures students are in good academic standing and able to successfully navigate academics prior to eligibility for peer education.

Peer educators who have completed Level 1 training and mentoring requirements, have received positive supervisor and student feedback and indicate interest and ability to successfully advance will be invited to Level 2 trainings certification.

CRLA Testimonials

The CRLA certification signifies an intense form of validation towards my efforts towards my students and what these TRIO SSS programs stand for. I am extremely committed to the betterment of my students and providing an extensive support system to those that need it, which is more often than not the students of the populations we serve. When asking my students, past and present, what they wish they had as a non-traditional college student to aid in their experience, they all say they wish they had that extra “someone”. There are so many things that students don’t even know that they don’t know, and it requires me to be adept and prepared to assess possible situations. The CRLA certification provides a sense of trust in my students knowing that I have received the preparation necessary to assist them in whatever I can. Also, it will prove extensively useful in my future endeavors pertaining to college-age youth, as employees will hopefully recognize the rigorous training and experience I’ve received to best serve my students.

– Sebastian Sanders

Working towards the CLRA certification means that I am given ample opportunities for growth and development. Growth and development especially important to me because I am always looking for more ways to learn. My future consists of working with students that are close to or around the same age that I work with now so the trainings are not only applicable to what I do now but for my future career as well. I hope to take the skills that I learn from these trainings and be able to use them all throughout my future career in education.

– Ausha Smith