In the past, the Office of Academic Advising alone has handled hundreds of applications from excited PAA prospects. Not only was the selection process extremely time consuming and difficult for the advising staff, but it was not really effective. This year we have changed the PAA selection process to incorporate more Head PAA involvement. Head PAAs are knowledgeable leaders who know most of the applicants in their own college, and they also have a better understanding of their own PAA team dynamic. While the O-Week selection process is still mostly handled by the OAA, Head PAAs play a role in the first round of applicant selection.
Since Head PAAs are now primarily responsible for selecting new year-long PAAs, the OAA has compiled an interview rubric for selection, which is based on previous selection strategies of previous years.
So what makes a good PAA?
1. Present and active within the residential college
2. Available and accessible to students, both inside and outside the classroom
3. Demonstrates ability to provide accurate and timely information to students; has the capacity to be a knowledgeable resource
4. Personable and approachable
5. Empathetic and genuinely interested in addressing students’ concerns