LASER Peer Leaders

Department Overview

The L&S Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) is dedicated to helping students thrive. Housed within CAE, the L&S STEM Scholars Program helps students actively engage with UW-Madison’s vibrant community of scholars and connects them with STEM-oriented experiences such as the Undergraduate Research Scholars (URS) program, with L&S STEM departments, and with STEM-affiliated student success and learning services across campus. The Letters & Science Summer of Excellence in Research (LASER) Program offers undergraduates an exciting introduction to STEM research.

Students apply to the LASER program during their first year on campus. Through LASER, students connect with mentors and get an early start in collegiate research. Students in INTEGSCI 260 – Exploring Research I learn how to begin independent research, and further develop their science communication skills through reading, writing, and presenting research. The Peer Leader works closely with the course instructional team to support students in both academic and professional development activities, ensuring they have the tools needed to succeed in scientific discussions and research presentations.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Friday, August 7, 2026

Not Remote

Minimum: 10 Maximum: 10

Time commitment: 10 hours weekly, including 2 hours in class which will be held Wednesdays, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

• Attend weekly meetings with Instructional staff.
• Reserve office hours to help students who need support and work with instructors adjust activities and/or provide extra resources.

Minimum: $16.00 Maximum: $16.00

2

• Be a current undergraduate student at UW-Madison majoring in a STEM field (e.g., Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Chemistry, Engineering).
• Experience with undergraduate research, academic writing, and scientific communication.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, leadership, and facilitation skills.
• Ability to help students build confidence in research settings and guide them through the mentor-mentee relationship process.
• Comfort with leading small-group discussions and working with students from a wide array of backgrounds;
  Possess an appreciation for, and sensitivity to, cultural and social differences.
• Familiarity with Canvas, Google Drive, and research tools like Zotero, Pub Med, or Google Scholar.
• Knowledge of campus resources and support systems.

• Attend all INTEGSCI 260 – Exploring Research I weekly, 2hr class sessions, assisting with in-class activities and discussions.
• Serve as a resource and role model for students, helping them navigate the research process, manage their coursework, and build self-sufficiency in academic settings.
• Attend weekly instructional team meetings with the Course Instructor to discuss student progress, classroom dynamics, and course improvements.
• Attend weekly meetings with program leadership to discuss program activities, individual meetings with LASER Scholars, and intervention strategies.
• Facilitate and attend co-curricular activities.
• Collaborate on the development of interactive research activities, such as in-class games and activities, peer interview challenges, and scientific communication exercises.

None

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Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu

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