Staff Sophomore College: Apply to SCA for SoCo!
Each Sophomore College course has two SCAs (Sophomore College Assistant). SCAs are an integral part of a residential and experiential learning community such as SoCo.
A unique benefit of being an SCA is the relationship with faculty, who frequently become mentors or research advisors to the SCA. Course faculty select SCAs for a particular class based on their academic background in the topic, their past community-building experience, and their maturity and potential to be a class leader. SCAs also begin to understand course material at a deeper level, gaining a new perspective on their own learning. Mentoring younger students prompts SCAs to reflect and understand their own journey at Stanford while developing leadership abilities. SCAs develop skills in logistics, event planning, and budgeting, as they coordinate the details of field trips, guest speakers, and special events that enhance the classroom learning. And of course, SCAs participate in all the fun activities that are a key part of Sophomore College.
- SCAs are required to live in the Sophomore College residence halls with their students and use time outside class to foster collaborative and peer learning.
- SCAs work closely with the faculty in their course to organize events and activities that engage students in the course material in a hands-on way. Each course team (faculty and SCAs) manages their own schedule, developing plans that are customized to their particular course, drawing on the program for guidance and administrative assistance.
- CAs act as peer learning mentors, helping students work through the course material and develop their intellectual skills. SCAs are not TAs and do not grade assignments, although they may offer informal feedback.
- SCAs support building community among the members of the class, planning and leading activities outside class time, and mentoring rising sophomores.
- SCAs act as Resident Assistants during the program, being trained in facilitation and emergency response measures (with support from the SoCo Program Director and live-in Graduate Resident Associates, as well as ResEd Resident Directors). They develop relationships with students that enable them to respond to stressed and struggling students.
Are you eligible to be an SCA?
- You must be enrolled in Stanford classes in the autumn quarter after Sophomore College, as a junior, senior, co-term, or graduate Stanford student (grad students please read this addendum).
- You are in good academic standing.
- If you will not have a fall housing assignment on main campus, you are eligible to apply, but please recognize that program housing ends on Friday, September 12, 2025 although the program continues another week, and you will need to provide your own housing from that date, if your class is on campus.
- You must have no other conflicts from Friday, August 29 through Friday, 19 September, 2025 (or the end of your class, which may vary). SCAs can move into program housing on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Please visit the SoCo website to apply and for full details of the position, commitment, and compensation.
