New and 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 and expectations packet.

The 2026 FIG Leader application is now closed. The 2027 FIG Leader application will open in December 2026.

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 nstpadmin@uw.edu or at 206-543-4905 (voice) or 206-207-5564 (text).

Position overview

A FIG Leader is an undergraduate student who supports first-year and transfer students in their transition to the UW while facilitating a GEN ST 199 course during autumn quarter.

Spring quarter: Peer Educator Practicum (GEN ST 270)

In spring quarter, you will create a 10-week curriculum. This curriculum will include lesson plans and classroom activities. These materials will help first-year and transfer students adjust to the University of Washington.

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

Autumn quarter: Student Leadership Development: First-Year Transition Practicum (GEN ST 270)

In autumn quarter, you will use the skills you learned in spring. You will facilitate one 50-minute weekly section of GEN ST 199: The University Community. In this role, you will serve as a mentor to students in the FIG. You will collaborate with other FIG Leaders to create lesson plans. These lessons help new students feel confident as they navigate 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:
- Create lesson plans using the outline provided by NSTP.
- Facilitate a class of 20–25 new students. You will present lesson plans, lead activities, and answer questions.
- Build a welcoming community using training provided by NSTP.
Represent the University of Washington accurately. Share correct information about UW policies, services, and campus life with new students.
Adapt to remote and in-person teaching based on what is needed.

FIG Leader hiring timeline

Pay close attention to these important dates:

Application opens: December 1, 2025

Returning FIG Leader application closes: January 13, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.*

New FIG Leader application closes: January 26, 2026 at 8:00 a.m.

FIG Leader interviews: February 5–6, 2026

Offers sent: February 13, 2026

FIG Leader Welcome Night: March 4, 2026

*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

To be a FIG Leader, you must meet these requirements:

Be enrolled full-time (12 credits) as a degree-seeking undergraduate student at the University of Washington in Seattle through at least autumn 2026.
Maintain good academic standing and good conduct with the University throughout your entire time in this role.
Enroll in GEN ST 270/470 (3 credits) in spring 2026 and autumn 2026.
Attend all required events listed below. We will work with you if you have academic or work conflicts.

If offered the role, I will:

Attend the FIG Leader Welcome Night
Enroll in and attend one section of GEN ST 270/470 (3 credits) in spring quarter.
Attend FIG Leader Community Day.
Complete 5–10 hours of self-guided prep in September.
Attend the Pre-Quarter Meeting in September, in person at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Attend Connection Group Meetings and Husky Kickoff in September.
Facilitate one 50-minute section of the GEN ST 199 course in autumn quarter. (You will schedule this 50-minute time during spring quarter.)
Enroll in one 50-minute section of the GEN ST 270/470 course (3 credits) in autumn quarter. This is in addition to facilitating my GEN ST 199 course.

New FIG Leader application questions

Your responses are limited to 2,000 characters per question, but you do not have to use all 2,000 characters. You may want to write your responses in a separate document (Google Docs or Word) first. Then paste them into the response box. Note that many questions have multiple parts, so please answer all parts of each question.

Question 1: Student-centered mindset

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

Question 2: Adaptive time management

Tell us about a time when your schedule became overwhelming.
How did you recognize it, and what adjustments did you make?

Question 3: Understanding of community building

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.
From the activities listed, select one and share how it has impacted your Husky experience.

Question 4: Community

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

Returning FIG Leader application questions

Your responses are limited to 2,000 characters per question, but you do not have to use all 2,000 characters. You may want to write your responses in a separate document (Google Docs or Word) first. Then paste them into the response box. Note that many questions have multiple parts, so please answer all parts of each question.

Question 1: Motivation

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

Question 2: Transition

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

Question 3: Learning environment

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.

What has made this FIG Leader a great peer in this class?
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 committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

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