Summer Start Peer Leader 2026
We are seeking outstanding student leaders to serve as Summer Start Peer Leaders.
About Summer Start
Summer Start is a Summer II program that provides incoming first-year students the opportunity to earn 6-7 credit hours (2 to 3 courses) toward their degree during the summer before their first Fall semester. While taking summer courses, Summer Start students engage with campus resources, participate in social events, attend academic-focused workshops, and engage in community building with Peer Leaders, staff, and faculty. Summer Start students also complete CU 1000 (0 credit hours) in addition to their two to three other courses.
Within the Summer Start program, there is the STEM Start scholarship, which is for first-generation, and/or Pell-Eligible first-year South Carolina residents majoring in an eligible STEM major. STEM Start scholarship recipients enroll in 7-8 credit hours towards their degree, along with CU 1000 (0 credit hours), a Chemistry Lab prep course (INNO 4950 – 0 credit hours), and a professional development course (CCPD 1200 – 1 credit hour). In addition to the engagement opportunities listed above for Summer Start, STEM Start scholarship recipients also participate in employer visits.
Expectations in Your Role as a Peer Leader
Peer Leaders play a vital role in implementing the Summer Start program and supporting the STEM Start scholarship. As a Peer Leader, you will:
- Act as a mentor and role model for incoming students
- Plan and host weekly events to build community
- Attend workshops, campus events, and on/off campus employer visits
- Support students as they transition to Clemson and connect them with campus resources
- Collaborate with other Peer Leaders and professional staff
- Attend and participate in weekly meetings, squad meetings, and one-on-one meetings with supervisor
- Attend and participate in all scheduled trainings and events
- Be knowledgeable of Clemson’s Student Code of Conduct to assist in providing a safe and enriching summer experience
- Represent Summer Start and Clemson University positively
- Be flexible and have the ability to make changes quickly and with a positive attitude
- Serve as a contact and resource for an assigned group of Summer Start or STEM Start scholarship students
- Inform direct supervisor of any student or staff concerns or issues
- Possess strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Required Training & Program Dates:
Peer Leaders are required to be available for the mandatory training days (June 16 – June 19 and June 22 – June 26) and during the entirety of the Summer Start program (June 28 – July 31). Applicants should be aware that the position requires a lot of time (25 hours per week with evening and weekend work required), dedication, and energy to make the program successful for each student.
- Move into Clemson’s on-campus residence hall on June 15
- If on-campus housing is needed
- Peer Leader Training June 16 – June 19 and June 22 – June 26
- Student move-in on June 28
- Ready, Set, Roar! (in-person orientation) sessions on June 29 and June 30
- Summer Start Welcome Sessions on June 29 and June 30
- Fourth of July weekend activities (July 3 – July 5)
Qualifications:
- Current continuing Clemson undergraduate student
- Cumulative 2.5 GPA by start of contract period in Summer 2026
- Enroll in no more than 6 credit hours during Summer 2026 Session II
- Must work 25 hours per week (Sunday through Saturday) in-person during the entirety of the Summer Start program (June 28 – August 1)
- Cannot work another on-campus job from June 15 through July 31
Salary & Benefits:
- Paid an hourly rate of $12 per hour for 25 hours of work per week
- Compensated for all Peer Leader training
- If on-campus housing is needed, fully subsidized summer housing assignment between June 15 – August 1
- Peer Leaders must move-out of on-campus housing by 9:00am on Sunday, August 2
- Fully subsidized Summer II Meal Plan
- If living on-campus, an unlimited meal plan will be provided
- If living off campus, a Summer Block 40 meal plan will be provided
- Campus Recreation Membership
- Staff t-shirts and more
Ready to Apply?
Submit your Peer Leader Application here: https://clemson.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NZhhTal4h974we
