Overview  

The Rural Peer Ambassador (RPA) Program in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides a paid opportunity for WashU students to assist with sharing the WashU story and experience with prospective rural students, their guests, and rural high school and Community Based Organization (CBO) counselors. Key responsibilities for the position relate to working with counselors, prospective students, and families, and allows exposure to the various functions of admissions at a highly selective institution. Specifically, RPAs will help with the implementation of the WashU Rural Scholars Academy (WRSA), a weeklong, pre-college program hosted in July 2026. They will also assist with the implementation of the STARS at WashU: Counselor Drive In in April 2026.

RPAs will meet and train together in March and April 2026 and again in July 2026. This position is supervised by the Associate Director for Rural Recruitment in Undergraduate Admissions.   

Essential responsibilities 

  • Attendance and assistance with the implementation of the WashU Rural Scholars Academy and the STARS at WashU: Counselor Drive In. Roles may include serving as an onsite resource and contact during either program, engaging with program participants, serving in a rotational on-call capacity in the evenings of the WashU Rural Scholars Academy, and facilitating conversation and connection.    
  • Spring RPA Training: Attendance and participation in training to prepare for both the WashU Rural Scholars Academy and STARS at WashU: Counselor Drive In.
    • Dates:
      • Wednesday, March 18, 2026, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
      • Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 6:00- 7:30 p.m.
      • A 1:1 supervisor meeting during the week of April 6  
      • Thursday, April 16, 2026, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
      • Spring 2026 Reading Days – Senior Celebration and Summer Send-off
        • This casual, celebratory end to Spring training will be scheduled at a later date.
  • STARS at WashU: Counselor Drive In: Tuesday, April 21 & Wednesday, April 22, 2026. The STARS at WashU: Counselor Drive In is a one-day, one overnight program designed to assist rural counselors in guiding their students’ college search process. Counselors from rural communities across Missouri and Illinois will be joining Undergraduate Admissions for this program. Note: RPAs will only be asked to assist with program aspects that don’t overlap with required class commitments.  
  • Return to campus for summer RPA Training: Anticipated Thursday, July 16, 2026. Arrival between 9:00 a.m. and Noon. RPAs will have the morning of July 16th to unpack and transition their room before training begins at 1:00 p.m. on July 16.    
  • Summer RPA training: Thursday, July 16 – Saturday, July 18, 2026. Attendance and participation in training to prepare for the WashU Rural Scholars Academy. Training will end by 6:00 p.m. all three days.
  • WashU Rural Scholars Academy: Sunday, July 19 – Saturday, July 25, 2026. The WashU Rural Scholars Academy is a weeklong pre-college program aimed to connect high school students from rural communities to WashU and St. Louis, while introducing them to the college admissions process.   
  • Optional paid opportunities throughout the 2026 – 2027 academic year
    • RPAs will have the option to participate in additional rural recruitment-focused projects and tasks throughout the academic year. These optional opportunities include:   
      • Sitting on various virtual panels for the STARS College Network.
      • Writing cards to admitted rural students.
      • Providing feedback on rural recruitment efforts, including name ideas for programs and events, rural student outreach efforts, and more.
  • As Mandatory Reporters, RPAs are required to share information with their supervisor and/or the Title IX Coordinator if a WRSA participant discloses or they otherwise become aware of concerns of sexual harassment, sexual or relationship violence, or stalking.   
  • RPAs must reside in assigned, on-campus Residential Life housing for the duration of summer training (July 16 – 18, 2026) and the WashU Rural Scholars Academy (July 19 – 25, 2026) to serve as a contact and resource for program participants. This housing and meals will be provided by Undergraduate Admissions free of cost to all RPAs.

Desired skills/characteristics

  • Must be returning, full-time undergraduate students in the Class of 2027, 2028, or 2029 for the fall 2026 semester, studying on the Danforth campus.    
  • Must be in good academic and conduct standing for the Fall 2025 and Spring and Summer 2026 semesters.  
  • In our selection process, we look for candidates exemplifying a commitment to collaboration, reliability, providing good customer service, positively representing WashU, and supporting student success.  
  • Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a semester GPA of 2.75 or higher during semesters employed (spring 2026 and summer 2026). Applicants who have under a 2.75 cumulative GPA may still apply; however Undergraduate Admissions will consult with their 4-year academic adviser.  
  • In our selection process, we look for candidates who exemplify a commitment to collaboration, reliability, good customer service, positively representing WashU, and the support of student success.
  •  You may not serve as an RPA if you are in a position, internship, or role that conflicts with the dates above.  
  • RPAs must be available in-person during all dates and times described above; conflicts or anticipated conflicts must be addressed by the Associate Director for Rural Recruitment before selection.  

Hours

The Rural Peer Ambassador position is a part-time position with the purpose of acting as a representative of the rural student experience here at WashU. During both the WashU Rural Scholars Academy and STARS at WashU: Counselor Drive In, early mornings and late nights will occur. Meals and on-campus housing will be provided free of cost to all ambassadors for the duration of summer training, the STARS Counselor Drive In (meals only), and the WashU Rural Scholars Academy.  

Compensation 

Rural Peer Ambassadors will be compensated at a rate of $15.00 per hour and meals and on-campus housing will be provided free of cost to all RPAs July 16 – 25, 2026. This position is eligible for work study.  

Application process

Apply via Handshake (Job #10635709) by Noon on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

  • Resume  
  • Response to short answer question (max 250 words): Why do you want to serve as a Rural Peer Ambassador at WashU?   
  • Contact and other identifying information (i.e., year in school, cumulative GPA, academic division, etc.). 

Interviews and Reference Checks 

Selected candidates will be invited to interview with members of the rural recruitment team the week of February 16, 2026. 

Final candidates will be asked to provide contact information for one reference.

By applying, students give Undergraduate Admissions permission to access university standing and academic record.

Questions?

Please reach out to Dacoda Scarlett at dscarlett@wustl.edu.