OIE: SPARQ Peer Mentor (S9658C)
Summary, Scope, and Responsibilities
SPARQ (Support, Perspective, Allyship, Representation, and Qmunity) is a program within the Office of Intercultural Education (OIE).
The Office of Intercultural Education is committed to dismantling systems of oppression by actively centering and celebrating the voices and experiences of historically marginalized student identities. We foster belonging by creating spaces that encourage agency, awareness, and self-advocacy. We collaborate with students to explore their identities, develop community, and build connections through programs grounded in intersectionality, equity, and justice.
The intention of SPARQ is to create and maintain a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ students at Bates. SPARQ Peer Mentors are students who are invested in this work and the OIE’s mission where SPARQ Peer Mentors aim to foster a sense of community and belonging amongst students through programming, events, and mentorship opportunities.
**For the purpose of this position, LGBTQ+ includes individuals who identify as a sexual or gender minority, including, but not limited to: lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans (including transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, etc.), queer, intersex, asexual, and pansexual.**
Bates Leads framework
The Office of Intercultural Education embeds the Bates Leads Framework into its student leadership and employment positions. SPARQ Peer Mentors are leaders who take responsibility for solving a problem or achieving a goal and are expected to develop and practice leadership skills with the objective to create a sense of belonging, build community, educate themselves and others, and to forge positive change in their own lives and the lives of others.
The Bates Leads Framework is based on the Social Change Model of leadership and includes the “7 Cs” or capacities that ultimately lead to an 8th C or capacity: Change.
Consciousness of Self & Impact
Awareness of one’s beliefs, values, attitudes, and emotions; recognition that these are shaped by cultural context and other external forces. Self-awareness, including one’s inherited and positional power and privilege. Awareness of one’s impact on individuals and community, recognizing the impact of each action and inaction. Peer Mentors are most successful when they develop empathy and are able to consider the impact of their words and actions on others. As a Peer Mentor, being self-reflective, self-aware and intentional, knowing how to care for yourself and your community, creating space and access, asking for what others need, and asking for help for yourself will allow you to better support others.
Congruence
Alignment of values, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions with actions in the world. Peer Mentors act with honesty and transparency while integrating their values into behavior. Peer Mentors support Mentees to better understand personal values and align those with behavior.
Commitment
The passion, energy, creativity, and follow-through one brings to ideas, pursuits, and collective goals. Peer Mentors develop programming to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Peer Mentors strive to engage, participate, follow through, persist, and be accountable, while also establishing and maintaining interpersonal boundaries, and saying “no” when necessary.
Collaboration
Working reciprocally with others. Working across differences to achieve a shared goal. Bringing multiple perspectives, diverse experiences, and individual creativity to bear on a pursuit. Peer Mentors work within the SPARQ Team and with Mentee’s to achieve shared goals. Peer Mentors listen actively and deeply, consider how power and privilege are at work and strive for equity, inclusion, and access. Peer Mentors have an awareness of and maintain good interpersonal boundaries.
Common Purpose
Cultivating a shared goal, direction, and sense of responsibility. Peer Mentors listen, learn, and act towards shared goals. Peer Mentors continually consider what is held in common. Peer Mentors strive to build consensus, share work equitable, be inclusive, and assure access. Peer Mentors work in collaboration with Mentees to identify shared goals and direction for their relationship.
Controversy
Acknowledging conflict, controversy, and dissent as opportunities for new insight, or new direction or deeper relationships. Disagreeing without dehumanizing others. Peer Mentors articulate their truth, welcome different points of view, learn from differences while also protecting vulnerable populations. Peer Mentors acknowledge the fundamental humanity and dignity of those whom they disagree with.
Civic Agency
Embracing one’s capacity and responsibility to work with others to advance communal goals. Actively supporting people’s full participation in the decisions, systems, and processes that impact their lives and communities. Recognizing the impact of one’s choices on others. Peer Mentors pay careful attention to the perspectives and feelings of others and confront injustice, inequity, lack of access, and racism. Peer Mentors leverage their own privilege to effect positive change through programming and advocacy, while being sure to elevate the most marginalized voices in the community.