BioTAP Peer Mentor 2026-2027

If you are a former BioTAP student, apply here to become a peer mentor to incoming BioTAP students in the 2026-2027 academic year.  Peer mentors play an important role in helping incoming BioTAP freshmen transition to college life and the rigors of the academic work.

See more information in the attached file.

Please provide a CV or resume in this application, as well as a description of why you want to become a peer mentor. Include some ideas for how you would support next year's BioTAP students.

Name of research group, project, or lab
BioTAP Peer Mentors
Why participate in this opportunity?

This is an opportunity to help mentor incoming freshmen in the BioTAP RAP-TAP program and to provide support and guidance in their first year.

Compensation: 

BioTAP Mentors will receive a $1000 stipend per semester and will receive a single room for the price of a double room in the residence hall where the BioTAP students reside.

Representative publication or further information
BioTAP mentor description_2026.docx.pdf
Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Cellular Biology
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Student qualifications

Must be a rising senior or a junior (so a current sophomore or junior) and previous member of BioTAP with at least a 3.4 GPA and be in good standing in the Commonwealth Honors College; prefer a creative, academically successful individual who can develop effective BioTAP events and who is attentive to the needs of others.  BioTAP mentors must be eligible to reside in a residence hall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  BioTAP Mentors must be free of student conduct sanctions and uphold the University’s Student Code of Conduct and Residential Life Community Standards at the time of application and throughout their appointment.  At the time of application and prior to the start of each semester, the Biology Department will request a check of BioTAP mentor student conduct histories.  

Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Service - Paid, General
Number of openings
2
Techniques learned

Develop mentoring and leadership skills.  

Project start
August 2026
Contact Information:
Mentor
Laura Francis
lifranci@umass.edu
Faculty (instructor)
Name of project director or principal investigator
Laura Francis
Email address of project director or principal investigator
lifranci@umass.edu
2 sp. | 2 appl.
Hours
8-10 h/wk
Project categories
Cellular Biology