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The Emerging Leaders in Engineering application is now open!

Apply by January 20 to become an Engineering Ambassador, Engineering Design Coach, or Engineering Peer Educator.

Access the application

Engineering Peer Educators

As an Engineering Peer Educator, you will gain valuable experience while helping new engineering students succeed in transitioning to college.

Engineering Peer Educators (EPEs) are current engineering students who work with the Engineering Advising staff to develop curriculum and activities for the GEN ST 199: University community component of Engineering First-Year Interest Groups (E-FIGs). All incoming engineering undeclared students take this class in the fall quarter of their first year at UW. You, our peer educators, facilitate the GEN ST 199 class.

Through this experience, you have the opportunity to help incoming engineering undeclared students succeed in their transition to college while enhancing leadership skills that will give you a competitive edge in your career. You will also receive course credit and an award.

Beau Lonnquist

Beau Lonnquist won the 2023 Outstanding EPE of the Year Award

“Working as an EPE over the past two years has easily been one of the most fun and fulfilling experiences I’ve had since arriving at the UW. I’ve loved getting to know my students and have enjoyed watching them grow throughout their first quarter. They’ve taught me so much and I’m thankful to have been a part of their UW experience. The EPE community is also filled with so many intelligent, thoughtful, and genuine engineers. They’ve helped me grow as an engineer, leader, and person, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Through the program, I feel I’ve made a tangible impact in the engineering community and have learned to embrace my role as a leader. It’s been an integral part of my UW experience, and I’d strongly encourage anyone passionate about making an impact to apply.”

- Beau Lonnquist, 2023 EPE, winner of the 2023 Outstanding EPE of the Year Award

The Engineering Peer Educator Program is a fantastic leadership opportunity for engineering students to gain valuable skills and experience for the future while helping first-year students succeed in transitioning to college while earning an award and course credit. Your role is to welcome new students and help integrate them into the academic and co-curricular community. This is primarily accomplished by facilitating the GEN ST 199 component of an Engineering First Year Interest Group (E-FIG); registration in an autumn quarter of E-FIG is required for all first-year Engineering Undeclared students at the University of Washington. 

Mentor

  • Welcome new Engineering Undeclared students to UW.
  • Answer students’ questions about UW and the College of Engineering.
  • Support students’ exploration of engineering areas of impact and majors.
  • Support new students’ adjustment to UW; help them feel connected to the College of Engineering community.
  • Help connect students to university resources.
  • Share personal experience as an engineering student.

Facilitate

  • Prepare for GEN ST 199 class meetings.
  • Personalize the GEN ST 199 lesson plan templates to reflect your teaching style.
  • Lead meaningful discussions and activities (for example, that help students make meaning out of ENGR 101 content).
  • Teach new students to utilize academic planning resources such as the engineering major requirement sheets and MyPlan.
  • Record students’ completed assignments and grades using Canvas.
  • Provide thoughtful feedback on students’ assignments.
  • Track students’ class attendance in Canvas.

Collaborate with Engineering Advising staff

  • Meet weekly with the Program Director, Lead EPE(s) and fellow EPEs for ENGR 490 in spring and ENGR 491 in fall quarters.
  • Communicate frequently with the Lead EPE(s) and Program Director about any student issues or class concerns (for example, if a student is not attending GEN ST 199 class).

Serve as a member of the Engineering Peer Educator team

  • Actively engage in all EPE training and meetings.
  • Share thoughts and ideas about the GEN ST 199 curriculum in one-on-ones with engineering advisers in spring and autumn.
  • Build relationships with fellow EPEs.
  • Utilize fellow EPEs as resources.

As a result of serving as Engineering Peer Educators, students will be able to:

  • Build effective relationships with people who may be similar to or different than you.
  • Communicate effectively through various modes (email, phone, public speaking).
  • Develop greater confidence as a leader on campus.
  • Support new students in their transition to the UW College of Engineering community.
  • Create an engaging class experience that contributes to Engineering Undeclared students’ achievement of the GEN ST 199 learning outcomes.
  • Value an intentional exploration and discernment process.

Attendance at all EPE meetings, trainings, and GEN ST 199 classes is mandatory. Dates are subject to change.

Winter 2025

  • Attend the EPE orientation: Wednesday, March 5, 2025, 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Record your "Welcome to UW!" video clip
  • Meet with your EPE Accountabilibuddy

Spring 2025

  • Participate fully in the EPE retreat on April 5, 2025
  • Register and earn CR for ENGR 490: Engineering Leadership. In this class, you will receive training on transition theory, public speaking, discussion facilitation, lesson plan development and leadership.
    • Fridays, 3:30 – 4:50 p.m.
    • Your schedule must accommodate the class times to be able to participate in the program.
  • EPE check-in 1: individual meeting with EPE Leadership Team to articulate goals for the year

Summer 2025

  • Participate in at least one engineering new student advising and orientation virtually over Zoom July and August (~1 hour commitment for each session).
  • Continue to revise GEN ST 199 lesson plans.

Fall 2025

  • Attend the EPE program pre-quarter training on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Attend New Husky Welcome Day (“W” photo in Husky Stadium): Sunday, September 21, 2025 – hold full 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Teach a section of GEN ST 199. EPEs are responsible for preparing each class session (the EPE program provides the curricular framework, but each EPE must prepare personalized lesson plans building on that framework. Much of this will be done during ENGR 490 in spring quarter).
  • Register and earn CR for ENGR 491: Engineering Peer Educator Practicum.
    • Mondays, 4:30 - 5:20 p.m.
  • EPE check-in 2: individual meeting with EPE Leadership Team to discuss progress on goals (Oct/Nov)
  • Complete EPE final reflection

Winter 2026

  • Contact each of your students at least once (in person, by phone/text, or by email).
  • Participate in at least one EPE recruitment activity (tabling or info session) in January. 

Spring 2026

  • Contact each of your students at least once (in person, by phone/text, or by email).