Division of Student Success
UNMC_Acronym_Vert_sm_4c
University of Nebraska Medical Center

SHPEP Residence Life & Social Activity Lead (RL&SAL)

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. Each year our team of residence life and social activity leads (RL&SAL) serve as peer mentors who provide daily one on one support to a cohort of diverse undergraduate students from across the United States.  

The core responsibility of RL&SALs is to help facilitate a welcoming and supportive environment at the residence hall, as well as assist with leading implementation of social activities and field trips. RL&SA Leads are housed in apartment style units near their assigned scholar teams at UNO Scott Housing. RL&SA Leads serve as peer mentors, community resources, and supports for  ~12 scholars per team. In this role LCLs are the boots on the ground, representing and modeling UNMC iTEACH values. RL&SALs demonstrate accountability and excellence leading their respective team of scholars with limited supervision.  Through collaboration and teamwork, RL&SALs ensure smooth implementation of social activities and field trips. Among other things, RL&SALs assure their scholar teams are accounted for when boarding buses for social activities, assisting in rounding up their team of scholars and communicating counts to the head residence life and social activity lead. Each weekday evening RL&SALs convene for a brief check/in meeting/huddle to exchange about challenges and highlights, and to go over information that may have been shared back with them by their respective learning community lead counterparts. At times RL&SALs are tasked with bringing courage to help resolve conflicts that may arise. RL&SALs exhibit innovation and creativity in leading diverse student teams, helping them celebrate successes and new insights gained, as well as providing guidance and support during challenging times. The appointment of RL&SALs begins one week before scholars arrive for in-person programming at which time RL&SALs begin reaching out to schedule 1:1 meetings with each scholar on their team, and to provide support in communicating essential last minute details. RL&SALs schedule and conduct additional 1:1 check-in meetings during weeks 4 and 5 of programming with each scholar assigned to their team. 

RL&SALs are members of the SHPEP staff and report directly to the SHPEP program manager. All outside employment or extracurricular activities during the employment period (June 19* 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 are able to accept applications from international students who hold an F1 or J1 visa. The RL&SAL holds a temporary full-time position and is on duty between the hours of 5pm and ~8am on weekdays, as well as all day on Saturdays and Sundays. The RL&SALs are invited, but not required to participate in daytime programming, including but not limited to project presentations and closing ceremony. Scholar arrival and departure dates may require some mandatory daytime hours. 

Duties & Responsibilities  

  • Foster group interaction, appreciation of individual differences, and a welcoming and inclusive environment among scholars. 
  • Support scholars in preparing for travel (arrival/departure) to/from Omaha. 
  • Build community with scholars virtually in advance of program start, as well as make time to get to know respective learning community leads assigned to their team. Attend required one-time meeting in advance of scholar’s arrival for in-person programming. 
  • Attend staff meetings, training sessions, and in-service activities. 
  • Assists as necessary in all appropriate pre-arrival, opening and closing functions (move-in, move-out, early, and late arrivals). 
  • Ability and willingness to drive a 12-passenger van. Eligible LCLs will be required to complete University van driver training modules.  
  • Assist with airport pick up/drop off of Scholars from/to the Omaha Eppley Airport (rental vehicles are provided).  
  • Assist with transportation of scholars for pre-scheduled store runs and special small group events. 
  • Provides transportation to scholars for early morning job shadowing as needed. 
  • Document and report student behaviors inconsistent with program policies that may indicate personal, social, or academic problems, making timely referrals as necessary. 
  • Internet access and a computer with a webcam are needed during training and virtual component of program implementation. 
  • Assume other duties as assigned. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Include 

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

Compensation 

  • RL&SA Leads receive a $3,400 stipend and housing at Scott Crossing. SHPEP Support staff members are assigned to 2-4-person units and enjoy a private room. 
  • Breakfast/brunch and dinner at Scott Café. RL&SA Leads are expected to dine with their assigned team of scholars during Scott Café hours. 
  • Access to UNO Wellness Center. RL&SA Leads are expected to invite members of their learning community to participate in workouts, or visits to the gym. 
  • Free parking pass for UNO Scott Campus. 

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