Student Assistant
About the role
Mentors serve as coaches, role models, and supportive guides, helping students navigate both the academic expectations of college and the everyday responsibilities of independent living. This position is ideal for individuals interested in leadership, education, psychology, social work, special education, rehabilitation, or related helping professions.
Responsibilities
Academic Mentors focus on supporting students' learning, organization, and engagement in college coursework. Provide individualized academic support and tutoring for USF courses. Assist students with completing modified coursework. Help students break down assignments, prepare for quizzes and exams, and meet deadlines. Teach and model effective study strategies including: Task analysis, Note-taking and annotation, Time management and use of planners/schedules, Checking and responding to university email. Reinforce executive functioning skills such as organization, attention, and follow-through.
Life Skills Peer Mentors support students in developing the daily living and social skills necessary for independent adulthood, particularly within campus housing and community environments. Teach and model daily living skills, including but not limited to: Laundry and basic housekeeping, Dishwashing and kitchen clean-up, Healthy eating and basic nutrition choices, Personal hygiene and grooming, Shopping and money management, Navigating campus and local public transportation. Support students in following daily schedules and routines. Foster social skills, community engagement, and appropriate peer interactions. Provide independent living support within residential halls and USFSP facilities.
Shared Responsibilities: Build respectful and supportive relationships with students, Serve as a positive role model for college behaviors and adult life skills, Maintain confidentiality and adhere to program policies and ethical standards, Encourage self-advocacy by helping students identify when and how to ask for assistance, Communicate regularly with UMatter staff to share progress, concerns, and successes, Complete timely digital session notes to record mentoring activities, student progress, and data.
Qualifications
Must be an actively enrolled USF student
Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills
Patience, empathy, reliability, and a strengths-based mindset
Ability to provide structured support while encouraging independence
Comfort providing direct, concrete instruction and feedback
Preferred Qualifications
Interest or coursework in inclusive education, disability services, psychology, social work, rehabilitation, or related fields
Experience (formal or informal) supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities
About Us
Working at USF With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check. Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process. Equal Employment Opportunity The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.