First Year Programs

New & Returning FIG Leader

As a FIG Leader, you’ll gain valuable experience for the future while helping students succeed in their transition to college.

If you are interested in the Engineering Peer Educator position please visit the EPE website. 

Applications for the New FIG Leader Role are closed for 2022. 

***All 2022 Recruitment Activities will be held remotely!  (Updated as of 1/4/22)

FIG Leaders develop a ten-week curriculum in the spring quarter consisting of modules, lesson plans, and active learning classroom activities that will assist first year students in their transition to university. In the autumn quarter, FIG Leaders facilitate a section of GEN ST 199, by serving as a teacher and a mentor to the students in the FIG. FIG Leaders collaborate with each other to develop lesson plans that help fulfill the purpose of GEN ST 199 and support new students as they develop confidence in navigating the UW and Seattle.

In order to get a full look at the FIG Leader expectations, responsibilities, key dates & timelines, and benefits please view the 2022 FIG Leader Policies & Expectations document. 

Applications for the New FIG Leader Role are closed for 2022. 
Essay questions are listed below and be sure to answer all parts of the questions. 
We encourage you to compose your responses outside of the application first and then copy & paste them into the application text boxes. Your responses are limited to 1500 characters or approximately 250 words per question, so please double-check that your responses fit after you paste them into the application. 

  • Question 1: Motivation 
    • a. Why do you want to be a FIG Leader?
    • b. What do you hope your students learn in your FIG?
  • Question 2: Transition 
    • a. What is one lesson you learned during your transition to the University of Washington?
    • b. What is an activity that you could facilitate in your class that would help first-year students learn that lesson?
  • Question 3: Learning Environment
    • a. Tell us about a classroom learning experience (positive or negative). 
    • b. How would this experience inform the way you approach teaching a FIG? 
  • Question 4a: Community 
    • a. Please include a list of activities that describes relevant job experience, volunteer work, clubs and organizations, hobbies, and any other activities you enjoy doing on and off-campus. This list does not have to be limited to only organized or academic activities. The activities list is another way for us to get to know you. Please limit your response to a few paragraphs and/or bullet points. 
  • Question 4b. Community Reflection
    • a. From your activities list, select one activity and elaborate on what it means to you. 
    • b. How has this activity shaped your Husky experience?

Acknowledgment

Please note that by submitting your application, you are giving FYP staff permission to access to your academic records to verify that you are in good academic standing. FYP will also verify that you are in good disciplinary standing with the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. Please note that a low GPA or disciplinary record does not automatically disqualify applicants from the position.

Applications for the New FIG Leader Role are closed for 2022. 

The application for the Returning FIG Leader position has closed for 2022. Please contact First Year Programs at fypadmin@uw.edu with any questions. 

Essay questions are listed below and be sure to answer all parts of the questions. 
We encourage you to compose your responses outside of the application first and then copy & paste them into the application text boxes. Your responses are limited to 1500 characters or approximately 250 words per question, so please double-check that your responses fit after you paste them into the application. 

  1. Motivation: Why do you want to return to the FIG Leader position? What skills do you hope to develop or improve upon as a FIG leader and how does it connect to your long-term goals? 
  2. Transition: What is a challenge you experience as a FIG Leader? How will you change your approach to teaching based on this experience?
  3. Learning Environment: List three (3) things that new FIG Leaders need to learn in the spring training class to be successful in the autumn quarter. 
  4. Community: What do you consider to be your biggest success as a FIG Leader? How would you mentor new FIG Leaders to experience similar successes?

Acknowledgment

Please note that by submitting your application, you are giving FYP staff permission to access to your academic records to verify that you are in good academic standing. FYP will also verify that you are in good disciplinary standing with the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct. Please note that a low GPA or disciplinary record does not automatically disqualify applicants from the position.

The application for the Returning FIG Leader position has closed for 2022. Please contact First Year Programs at fypadmin@uw.edu with any questions. 

Timeline

  • Applications close: Monday, January 3, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. (PT) 
  • Dialogue Offers Sent: by Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. (PT)
  • Returning FIG Leader Dialogues: January 12- 14, 2022
  • Decisions: by January 19, 2022

Previous FIG Leaders

Meet previous FIG Leaders who have helped shape the FIG program!

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out some commonly asked questions about the First-year Interest Group Leader job and selection process.

Student Testimonials

“I have done it the past 2 years, and it was one of my most cherished experiences at UW.  This program let me be creative and manage a group of new students all by myself (for the most part).  I really strengthened my public speaking skills, which I will be able to effectively apply to my upcoming job after college.  I also learned a lot about interpersonal communication, how to motivate others, motivate myself, and be a role model.”

"In all honesty, being a Transfer FIG leader was one of the coolest academic experiences that I've ever had. I think that it's just as important for the student teachers as it is for the students who are in the Gen Studies 199 classes. I want to do it again next year!”