Division of Student Success
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

SHPEP Head Learning Community Lead (HLCL)

The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a national program established by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). SHPEP is a free summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for undergraduates, including community college students, interested in pursuing a career in the health professions. Our team of learning community leads (LCLs) serve as peer mentors who provide daily one on one support and guidance to a cohort of diverse undergraduate students from across the United States.  

In addition to supporting their own team of scholars and carrying out the same core responsibilities as other LCLs, the HLCL orchestrates implementation of daily scheduled activities. Among other things, orchestration of daily activities involves looking ahead on the schedule and leading morning check-ins with other team leads. The HLCL helps communicate daily updates and reminders among team leads and assists in coordination of coverage in the event of another lead’s absence due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances. In collaboration with their team of LCLs, the HLCL helps with starting, stopping, and cataloging daily zoom/echo recordings, and creation of public recoding links of presentations that can be shared with the SHPEP national program office. The HLCL supports coordination of logistics, such as assuring speakers from outside UNMC are greeted at the door by a team member and assuring adequate seating for panelists. The HLCL also serves as a direct point of contact for members of the SHPEP at UNMC student advisory board (SAB). In advance of program start, the HLCL facilitates the virtual SAB election, and meets with SHPEP (up to 6) scholars elected to SAB positions to support their efforts in planning daily opening and closing, and wellness sessions.   

The core responsibility of LCLs consists of helping facilitate an environment that supports a diverse community of learners. LCLs develop close mentoring relationships with scholars and serve as the primary point of contact for up to 12 scholars each.  In this role, LCLs are the boots on the ground, representing and modeling UNMC iTEACH values. LCLs are tasked with bringing inspiration and innovation to preparing for and leading small group, as well as classroom discussions. Through collaboration and teamwork LCLs help lead program implementation. Each morning, LCLs convene for a brief check-in meeting/huddle to exchange challenges and highlights, and to go over the flow of the day’s scheduled activities. LCLs are also in close communication with respective residence life and social activity leads assigned to their team of scholars, providing scholar updates. LCLs are expected to think on their feet and demonstrate accountability with limited supervision, helping scholars think through challenges and connecting them with information resources. LCLs demonstrate excellence by modeling desired behaviors and skills essential to being a successful health profession student, such as note-taking, asking questions, and making thoughtful contributions or remarks. LCLs support instructor activities and coordination of logistics (i.e., getting their group from Point A to Point B, leading campus tours) and helping assure scholars comply with UNMC and SHPEP policies. Among other things, LCLs support their team of scholars in completing UNMC onboarding processes two weeks in advance of program start. At times LCLs are tasked with bringing courage to help resolve conflicts that may arise.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

  • Facilitate virtual election processes of SHPEP at UNMC Student Advisory Board (SAB). 
  • Assist the SAB with facilitation of opening and closing ceremony as needed. 
  • Set-up, start/stop, and archive/catalog daily zoom/echo recordings, and create a catalog of recording links of presentations that can be shared with the SHPEP national program office. 
  • Prepare for leading daily community circle time, and engaging scholars in conversation around concepts presented. Link Scholars with relevant information resources. 
  • Assist with airport pick up/drop off, of Scholars from/to the Omaha Eppley Airport.  
  • Ability and willingness to drive a 12-passenger van. Eligible LCLs will be required to complete University van driver training modules. 
  • Conduct at least two series of 1:1 meetings with each scholar on their team; one in advance, and another during weeks 4 and 5 of program implementation. 
  • Prepare for and lead daily community circle/journal/book discussions with assigned scholar team. 
  • Help scholars develop and identify a deeper understanding of their personal abilities and goals. 
  • Foster group interaction, appreciation of individual differences, and a welcoming and inclusive environment among scholars. 
  • Support various aspects of the SHPEP at UNMC wellness curriculum, such as active breaks. 
  • Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and in-service activities. 
  • Capture photos and video footage and contribute to social media updates. 
  • Document and report student behaviors inconsistent with program policies that may indicate personal, social, or academic concerns, making timely referrals as necessary. 
  • Lead by example, remain attentive. Take attendance. Distribute daily meal tickets. Write weekly attendance/participation, and summary reports. 
  • Communicate immediately with appropriate emergency personnel and the SHPEP program manager regarding the safety and well-being of SHPEP Scholars.  
  • Help lead opening and closing functions, including move-in, move-out.  
  • Assume other duties as assigned. 

The HLCL is a member of the SHPEP staff and reports directly to the SHPEP program manager. All outside employment or extracurricular activities during the employment period (June 8* to July 31, 2026) are subject to the approval of the SHPEP program manager prior to participation. All applicants must be eligible for employment/hold a valid work permit. We can accept applications from international students who hold an F1 or J1 visa. LCLs hold a temporary full-time position, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm. SHPEP at UNMC will be hybrid in the summer of 2026. *Responsibilities of this position will largely be carried out remotely between June 8 and July 3. LCLs will have the option but will not be required to participate in scheduled social activities that take place outside of their normal working hours.   

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

  • Must show an interest in the academic, social, and emotional growth and well-being of undergraduate students and a willingness to work cooperatively with others.   
  • Exhibits a positive attitude and serves as a role model for SHPEP Scholars and other staff members. 
  • Relevant experience in programming, student leadership, and service learning. 
  • Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills required. 
  • Have a valid driver’s license and be insurable.   
  • Internet access and a computer with a webcam are needed during training and virtual components of program implementation.  

Compensation  

  • The HLCL receives a $6,080 stipend. 
  • Daily meal tickets (M-F; $12.50/each during four weeks of in-person programming). 

How to Apply

To apply, complete the online application.   

Application Deadline

This position will remain OPEN UNTIL FILLED. The application link will be removed when the position is filled.

SHPEP Schedule for Summer 2026

shpep summer 2026 schedule

Week -1 (June 8-12)

Support staff (training) and scholar onboarding

Week 0 (June 15-19)

Virtual implementation

Week 1 (June 22-26)

  • June 22-25: Virtual implementation 
  • June 26: Virtual college-specific activities 

Week 2 (June 29-July 3)

  • June 29-July 1: Virtual implementation 
  • July 2: Virtual college-specific activities 
  • July 3: Independence Day holiday observed 

Week 3 (July 6-10)

  • July 6: Move-in arrival day 
  • July 7: Orientation 
  • July 8: Community visits
  • July 9: In-person activities begin
  • July 10: College-specific activities

Week 4 (July 13-17)

  • July 13-16: In-person activities
  • July 17: College-specific activities

Week 5 (July 20-24)

  • July 20-23: In-person activities
  • July 24: College-specific activities

Week 6 (July 27-31)

  • July 27-29: In-person activities
  • July 30: Final project presentations and closing events
  • July 31: Move out/departure day