Returning to the classroom after the Covid-19 pandemic challenged educators to reconsider traditional teaching techniques. Educators had to reconsider traditional teaching styles and discover new ways to keep students engaged. One way many college First Year Experience Courses engage students is through peer academic leaders. These student leaders act as guides in the classroom to first time freshmen by sharing their experiences, success tips and acting as a resource for students. Students benefit immensely from this restricted classroom approach (Bonner, Keiler and Mills 2023), but the peer leaders themselves benefit just as much, if not more. This interactive session will explore ways peer leaders benefit and discuss ways to utilize peer leaders in the classroom.
