06/10/2026
Call for Applicants: Big Red Table | Peer Facilitator
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
"Big Red Table" is a special dinner series designed to promote connection and belonging among incoming students during New Student Orientation. Facilitated conversations over dinner will allow small groups of students to gather around a table, get to know one another, sharing what brought them to Cornell, and beginning to establish the connections needed to feel at home in their community. Dinners will host up to 100 students, seated in tables of 8-10, across two evenings (August 20 & 22).
FACILITATOR ROLE
Trained peers will be placed at tables to energize discussion, ensure every student feels included, and keep conversation flowing throughout the evening. This is a high-impact, people-centered role with opportunity for significant impact. Peer Facilitators will create the conditions necessary for genuine connection.
RESPONSIBILITIES & TIME COMMITMENT
• Attend 2 hours of required virtual training in August. (Dates TBD)
• Contribute 4 hours of facilitation time by participating in at least two of the four Big Red Table dinners offered on August 20 & 22. (Each dinner is a 90-minute commitment.)
• Facilitate table conversation to spark and sustain conversation using provided prompts.
• Ensure students at your table feel welcomed and included.
• Support a warm, low-pressure atmosphere where students can be themselves.
• Check in with program staff as needed throughout the evening.
• Total Commitment: approximately 6 hours.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Current Cornell undergraduate students (any class year, any program; must be on campus) OR current graduate and professional students who attended Cornell as an undergraduate student.
• Experience and/or genuine interest in fostering belonging and connection for incoming first year or transfer students.
• Comfortable initiating and sustaining conversation in a group setting.
• Ability to "read a room" and adapt strategy, knowing when to step in and when to step back.
• Experience with facilitation, peer mentorship, or community-building is a plus, but not required.
BENEFITS
• You'll play a direct role in shaping how hundreds of new Cornellians experience their very first days on campus.
• Structured training in group facilitation, active listening, and inclusive conversation design.
• Network with peers from across Cornell's colleges and programs.
• Deepen your own sense of belonging
• A low time commitment, high return on investment (~6 hours total).
• Dinner included on each evening you facilitate.
* This is a volunteer position
TO APPLY
Interested students should complete an application (https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cGS3tM0XeY1B8xw), and include a resume and brief statement of interest (of up to 500 words) by Noon on June 17, 2026 (EST).
Contact Taylor Bouraad ([email protected]) with questions.
