Cornell University is seeking two highly motivated, student-centered leaders to serve as Program Mentor Managers (PMMs) for the Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP). PSSP is an invitation-only, summer bridge program lasting approximately five weeks designed to support approximately 150-180 incoming Cornell first-year students ("Scholars") as they prepare for a successful transition to Cornell. The program focuses on academic preparation, community-building, and student engagement.

Program Mentor Managers play a central leadership role in shaping the scholar experience by supervising Peer Mentors (PMs). The PMs are near-peer leaders who support PSSP Scholars as they transition to Cornell?s academic and residential environment. PMMs are also responsible for coordinating programming and supporting Scholars in a dynamic and inclusive residential community. PMMs communicate regularly with the PSSP Director and leadership team and collaborate with academic and residential partners to ensure a supportive and inclusive experience for our Scholars.

What You?ll Gain From This Role

PMMs live in a residence hall and spend the summer on Cornell?s beautiful Ithaca campus while gaining high-impact leadership experience, including:

• Leading and mentoring a team of student staff (the PMs)
• Developing active listening skills and delivering constructive feedback
• Building conflict resolution and crisis response competencies
• Practicing inclusive, student-centered leadership
• Collaborating across academic, residential, and student services teams

About the Program & Staff that Provide Support to Scholars During the Program

PSSP is supported by a collaborative team of professional and student staff who work collaboratively to support the Scholars. The staff include:

• Peer Mentors (PMs) - The near-peer leaders work directly with Scholars and build relationships through one-on-one meetings, promote community through organized activities and college events, encourage effective learning habits, and help connect Scholars with campus resources. PMs also monitor and enforce PSSP specific house rules. PMs work closely with the PMMs and program staff to ensure Scholars feel supported, engaged, and prepared for their first year. Each PMM supervises 8-10 Peer Mentors (18-20 total across both PMMs).
• Resident Advisors (RAs) and Resident Directors (RDs) - These are Housing and Residential Life staff who support Scholars in the residence halls and who monitor and enforce residential community rules.
• College Associates - Collage associates are academic advisors within Cornell?s colleges. They work directly with PSSP Scholars and collaborate with PMs and PMMs.
• Course Assistants (CAs) - CAs are near-peer leaders who work with PSSP instructors to build community and support Scholars directly in the courses they are taking.
• Instructors - PSSP instructors teach the courses Scholars are enrolled in over the summer.
• PSSP leadership - There is a team of professional staff leading PSSP, including the Director of PSSP and staff in the Learning Strategies Center and Office of Academic Discovery and Impact.

PMMs report directly to the PSSP Director and work closely with academic, residential, and student services partners across campus.

The Program Mentor Manager Role

Program Mentor Managers are leaders, coordinators, and connectors. They supervise and support PMs in their roles, respond to PM and Scholar needs, and help cultivate a supportive, inclusive community that prepares Scholars for their first year at Cornell. This role combines staff supervision, student support, program coordination, and on-call responsibilities, and offers meaningful leadership experience in a residential higher education setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Staff Supervision & Leadership: Program Mentor Managers provide collaborative supervision, mentorship, and support for the team of PMs through regular check-ins (weekly one-on-one meetings with direct reports and weekly PM staff meetings), guidance, and constructive feedback. With the PSSP leadership team, they foster a positive, inclusive, and accountable staff culture that supports both Scholar success and PM staff development.
• Student Support & Crisis Response: PMMs respond to concerns from PMs and Scholars using a student-centered approach. They are the primary point of contact for PMs in the residence hall. They participate in an on-call rotation (determined collaboratively during training) and utilize appropriate campus resources to address urgent or complex situations, consulting with the PSSP director or other PSSP leadership as needed. PMMs hold regular office hours (determined during training) for both PMs and Scholars.
• Program & Community Development: PMMs coordinate and support PSSP programming that promotes personal growth, community building, and student engagement. They collaborate with campus partners and staff teams to plan and implement programs (e.g. mental health programming, resource fairs, etc.) aligned with PSSP goals.
• Communication & Policy Enforcement: PMMs maintain regular formal and informal communication with PSSP leadership regarding emerging issues and PM development and effectiveness. They monitor and enforce PSSP-specific House Rules (such as nightly check-ins) in collaboration with Peer Mentors and program staff. Regular residential rules are enforced by residential staff (RDs and RAs).
• Collaboration & Liaison Work: PMMs serve as a liaison among PSSP staff and College Associates through the supervision of the PMs. They share information about what is happening in the program and residence hall with residential life professionals. They help ensure coordinated, consistent support for Scholars across academic, residential, and programmatic areas.
• Administrative & General Duties: As needed, Program Mentor Managers support PSSP leadership with daily program operations as needed and with communication amongst the PSSP community. PMMs handle all logistics related to Peer Mentor coverage and support, including creating and managing the schedule for PM office hours and nightly check-in hours. They assist with major program milestones including orientation, move-in and move-out, and closing events, and complete all required documentation, reports, and meetings in accordance with? program expectations. In addition to weekly one-on-one meetings with their supervisor (PSSP director), the PMMs attend weekly meetings with Housing and Residential Life and PSSP staff.

Some responsibilities may evolve and shift as the program unfolds.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor?s degree (May 2026 graduates may apply)
• Experience working with college-age students in a student-facing role
• Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism
• Demonstrated cultural competence and a commitment to supporting students from a variety of backgrounds and diverse perspectives
• Ability to live in the North Campus residence halls and work on campus for the full duration of the program

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising, mentoring, or training student staff
• Experience working in higher education (student affairs, residential, academic support, summer bridge, or pre-college programs)
• Experience navigating student conflict
• Experience participating in on-call support

Time Commitment & Compensation

• Dates: June 23, 2026 (move-in) - August 7, 2026 (move-out); Mandatory staff training begins June 24, 2026.
• This position is a full-time exempt role of approximately 40 hrs/week. This includes work in the evening and on the weekends. Compensation includes: $7,500 stipend (bi-weekly, paid over the program), full summer meal plan, single-room housing in the program residence hall (Barbara McClintock Hall on North Campus).

Application Process

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter via Workday by May 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM
(Deadline may be extended depending on posting timeline.) Questions may be directed to Catherine Thompson (ct30@cornell.edu).

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