New & returning FIG Leaders

As a FIG Leader, you’ll gain valuable experience for the future while helping students succeed in their transition to college.

For more detailed information about the FIG Leader role, review the FIG Leader Policies & Expectations packet.

2026 FIG Leader applications will open at the end of the 2025 autumn quarter.

If you are interested in the Engineering Peer Educator position, please visit the Emerging Leaders in Engineering (ELE) website.

If you have questions about any aspect of the FIG Leader selection process that are not answered on this page, please contact us at fypadmin@uw.edu or at 206-543-4905 (voice) or 206-207-5564 (text).

Position overview

A FIG Leader is an undergraduate student who supports incoming students in their transition to UW while facilitating a GEN ST 199 course during autumn quarter.

In the Peer Educator Practicum (GEN ST 270) course, you will develop a 10-week curriculum in spring quarter consisting of modules, lesson plans, and active-learning classroom activities that will assist first-year students in their transition to the University of Washington.

*Returning FIG Leaders will enroll in Advanced Peer Educator Practicum (GEN ST 470).

In autumn quarter, you will enroll in Student Leadership Development: First-Year Transition Practicum (GEN ST 270) where you will apply your skills from the spring. You will facilitate one 50-minute weekly section of GEN ST 199: The University Community by serving as a mentor to the students in the FIG. You will collaborate with your peers to develop lesson plans that help fulfill the purpose of GEN ST 199 and support new students as they develop confidence in navigating the UW and Seattle.

Learn more about the role from this informational video!

Role responsibilities

FIG Leaders will do the following:

Earn passing credit in the GEN ST 270 spring and autumn courses. Course requirements include:
- Develop modules & lesson plans building on the curricular framework provided by FYP.
- Serve as a peer instructor and guide for a classroom of 20-25 first-year students, present organized lesson plans, facilitate active learning strategies, answer questions, etc.
- Create an inclusive and welcoming community by utilizing training provided by FYP.
Portray the University of Washington, its policies, agencies, services, and campus life in an accurate manner to first-year students.
Adapt to remote & in-person instruction based on needs.

FIG Leader hiring timeline

Be sure to pay close attention to the important dates of the FIG Leader application process:

Application opens: November 18, 2024

Returning FIG Leader application closes: January 14, 2025*

New FIG Leader application closes: January 24, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

FIG Leader interviews: February 6–7, 2025

Offers sent: February 14, 2025 (Updated date communicated during interviews)

FIG Leader Welcome Night: March 5, 2025

*Note: There are separate application forms for New and Returning FIG Leaders. Please be sure to select the correct form when submitting your application.

Requirements

In order to be a FIG Leader, the following is required:

Enrolled full-time (12 credits) as a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle through at least autumn 2025.
Maintain good academic and conduct standing with the University throughout the entire term of employment.
Enroll in GEN ST 270/470 (3 credits) in spring 2025 & autumn 2025.
Attendance at required events below; we will find a resolution if you have academic or work conflicts.

If offered the role, I will adhere to the following:

I will attend the FIG Leader Welcome Night.
I have time blocked on my academic calendar to enroll in & attend one of the sections of GEN ST 270/470 (3 credits) in Spring Quarter.
I have blocked my calendar to attend FIG Leader Community Day.
I have blocked my calendar to complete 5-10 hours of self-guided prep in September.
I have blocked my calendar to attend the Pre-Quarter Meeting in September, in person at the University of Washinton in Seattle.
I have blocked my calendar to attend Connection Group Meetings & Husky Kick-off in September.
I understand that I will be teaching one 50-minute section of the GEN ST 199 course in autumn quarter. (Scheduling of that 50-min time will occur during the spring quarter)
I understand that in addition to teaching my GEN ST 199 course, I will enroll in one 50-min section of the GEN ST 270/470 course (3 credits) in autumn quarter.

New FIG Leader application questions

Question 1: Motivation
a. Why do you want to be a FIG Leader?
b. What do you believe students should learn in a FIG to support their transition to the UW?

Question 2: Transition
a. What is one lesson you learned during your transition to the University of Washington?
b. What is a 15-minute activity that you could facilitate in your class that would help first-year students learn that lesson? (Resource: teaching.tools/activities)

Question 3: Learning Environment
a. Tell us about a memorable classroom learning experience (positive or negative).
b. How would this experience inform the way you would teach a FIG (e.g. your teaching style)?

Question 4: Community
a. Please include a list of activities that describes relevant job experience, volunteer work, clubs and organizations, hobbies, and any other activities you enjoy doing on and off campus. This list does not have to be limited to only organized or academic activities. The activities list is another way for us to get to know you.
Please limit your response to a few paragraphs and/or bullet points.
b. From your activities list, select one activity and share how it has impacted your Husky Experience.
(Please note as well that you define your own Husky Experience and we wanted to provide resources as well!)

Returning FIG Leader application questions

Question 1: Motivation
a. Why do you want to return to the FIG Leader position?
b. Based on your experience, describe an improvement that the FIG program should work on.
c. As a returner, how would you contribute to that improvement?

Question 2: Transition
a. What is a challenge you experienced as a FIG Leader?
b. How will you change your approach for this role based on this experience (e.g. teaching, planning, grading)?

Question 3: Learning Environment
a. List three (3) things that new FIG Leaders need to learn in the spring preparation class to be successful in the autumn quarter.

Question 4: Community
Request an endorsement statement from a fellow FIG Leader addressing the prompt questions using the FIG Leader endorsement form.
*Endorsement statements should be a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 300.
1. What has made this FIG Leader a great peer in this class?
2. How have they supported you as a fellow FIG Leader? (If you don’t have a fellow FIG Leader that can endorse you, fill out the form yourself and there is a space to indicate that!)

Previous FIG Leaders

Meet previous FIG Leaders who have helped shape the FIG program!

Career Toolkit

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

For more information related to the statement above, please visit the University of Washington's Title IX Website.

First Year Programs

New & returning FIG Leaders

2026 FIG Leader applications will open at the end of the 2025 autumn quarter.

Previous FIG Leaders

Career Toolkit

First Year Programs

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