Rural Peer Advisor
Department Overview:
The College for Rural Wisconsin Program through UW-Madison’s Division of Enrollment Management works to increase college access by rural, farm, and small-town students in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The program aims to address the barriers and challenges rural, small-town, and farm students face in pursuing higher education at a 2-year, 4-year, public or private institution. The program is part of the nationwide Small Town and Rural Students (STARS) College Network.
The Rural Peer Advisor position is a paid opportunity to support the outreach and educational efforts of the College for Rural Wisconsin Program and STARS College Network.
This position is supervised by the College for Rural Wisconsin (CRW) Program Director. This is not a recruiter position.
Think of this position as a combination of college admission counselor, youth career counselor, and campus student services coordinator! Anticipated Start Date:
October 12, 2026 Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):
This position is renewable as long as you continue to be an enrolled college student, you maintain good academic and conduct standing as stated above, and you perform your work successfully. Remote Work Eligibility Detail:
All Remote
Anticipated Hours Per Week:
Minimum: 2 Maximum: 20 Schedule:
Advisors can create a work schedule that helps balance academics, work, and family commitments. Past Advisors have worked as low as 84 hours and as high as 200 hours in an academic year. Expect to work evenings and weekends.
Most of the work is expected to be during the academic year (September through May); however, there is an opportunity for work during the summer months.
There are no set hours for work as much of the work can be done on your own schedule; however, due to school calendars and class schedules, many of our events and activities happen during the day and some evenings. Also plan for some weekends.
This position is renewable as long as you continue to be an enrolled college student, you maintain good academic and conduct standing as stated above, and you perform your work successfully. Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:
Minimum: $15.00 Number of Positions:
4-6 Qualifications:
• An enrolled college or university student in the Class of 2027, 2028, 2029, or 2030 for the fall 2026 semester.
• Must be from a rural area, small town, or a farm in Wisconsin. You can look up your home address in this tool: We are prioritizing students from the following categories: Rural-Remote, Rural-Distant, Rural-Fringe, Town-Remote, and Town-Distant.
• Be in good academic and conduct standing for the 2026 summer, fall, and 2027 spring semesters.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or higher and a semester GPA of 2.6 or higher during semesters employed. If you are a freshman, you won't have a GPA yet and that's fine, there will just be an expectation to meet the requirements at the end of your first semester. Applicants who have under a 2.6 cumulative GPA may still apply; however, we will want to have a conversation to ensure you're able to balance being a student and being employed.
• Most events are in-person in rural and small-town communities across the state. Specific dates aren’t available at this time, but we will provide dates as early as possible. The director will work with the team to determine availability. You are not expected to attend all events; however, the goal is to have at least two advisors at each event.
This position can be located anywhere in Wisconsin. Team meetings and most work can be done remotely.
Travel is required for in-person programs and events. Advisors are not required to have access to a car as transportation will be provided if needed.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :
- Interest in changing the lives of rural high school students!
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Able to travel (transportation can be provided) to off-campus locations. (Most events are in