What is a POW?
Peer outreach at the “W” (POW) is a diverse group of students with interests in counseling, psychology and/or peer helping. They are trained, volunteer student paraprofessionals who work with the Department of Community Living’s Counseling Services to extend counseling services to the student body.
What does it entail?
Assisting New Students Your first contact with a peer outreach counselor may have been during a “W” Day, at the Hearin Leadership Conference, at Scholars’ Day or during Orientation. Peer counselors are all around you! They help new students adjust to their new environment by serving as peer mentors: keeping in touch, meeting regularly, and informing them about campus resources during their first semester at MUW.
Individual Counseling The peer counselors have office hours in the Department of Community Living to meet with students individually about personal, social, and academic concerns. All sessions with peer counselors, as with the professional counselor, are completely confidential.
Workshops and Other Activities Peer counselors work with the professional counselor (the Assistant Director of Community Living for Conference Services) in a variety of other ways, including helping lead workshops and make presentations to classes, assisting with mediation when two or more students need help resolving a conflict, or even working with groups in the community. Each year's activities are planned by the current group of peer counselors in consultation with the Community Living staff.
How can I become involved?
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Three References (two from MUW faculty/staff
• Attend regular training sessions and meetings
• Arrange and conduct programming events (talks) with the residence hall of your choice
• Adopt two departments and serve as a liaison to the Department of Community Living
• Assist with National Counseling Screening Programs
• Assist with POW recruiting and Orientation programs
