Graduate Assistant for Academic Engagement

University Housing 2018-2019

Function of Position

The function of the Graduate Assistant for Academic Engagement is to work collaboratively with faculty and staff to foster a healthy living and learning environment for students living in the residence halls. This position specifically focuses on supporting the success of Living Learning Communities (LLCs), the Adopt a Prof program, and other academic initiatives of University Housing. The GA for Academic Engagement will contribute to the intellectual, social, physical, and cultural development of students, as well as articulatethe philosophy and learning objectives of LLCs and other academic initiatives. This will be done byrepresenting the needs of the students to the administration and, in turn, upholding the mission and goals of the Division of Student Affairs and University Housing.

Duties and Responsibilities

Educational (40%)

  • Works collaboratively with Residence Education staff and LLCCoordinators to enhance LLC programming
  • Works to ensure that students participating in LLCs feel included and welcomed by hosting the annual LLC kick-off event, ordering t-shirts for students, and ensuring students have door tags to indicate their LLC involvement
  • Supervises 8-10 undergraduate Peer Ambassadors that serve as programming and administrative liaisons between students, University Housing, and academic units in LLCs
  • Participates in recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of Peer Ambassadors
  • Oversees program implementation for LLCs, which includes approving program ideas, managing a budget, tracking attendance, and helping evaluate program effectiveness
  • Engages and serves as a liaison between students, faculty, and staff in on-campus and community events
  • Maintains an awareness of faculty and staff concerns though informal interactionsand formal contacts (i.e. office hours, appointments)
  • Coordinates the Adopt a Prof program, which includes tasks such as obtaining student recommendations, inviting faculty to participate, making faculty assignments to residence halls, scheduling meetings, and managing listserv communication with the faculty
  • Collaborates with campus and community partners to plan annual events (i.e. Life Raft Debate, Mullins Study Break, Faculty Appreciation Week, etc.)

Administrative (30%)

  • Prepares and submits annual and other reports as assigned
  • Maintains updates records for all LLCs and Adopt a Prof contacts
  • Updates program budgets and frequently handles procurement procedures
  • Attends weekly meetings as determined by supervisor, and other departmental and divisional meetings as requested
  • Research academic initiative programs and LLCs among top 50 public research institutions
  • Promotes activities offered by University Housing to student organizations, academic units, community partners, and other constituent groups utilizing presentations and public relations materials
  • Represents LLC program and coordinates participation at outreach events coordinated by University Housing
  • Oversees the improvement of marketing strategies, including but not limited to developing brochures, creating website content, attending recruitment events, and crafting targeted messages to both incoming and returning students
  • Assists with the LLC application and selection process
  • Plans and implements on-going training for LLC staff, which includes creating focus groups, organizing monthly meetings, and helping to select conferences for the group to attend
  • Plan and implement events for LLC partners and the Associate Director for Academic Engagement

Managerial (20%)

  • Works with staff in assessing student needs, planning programs, and evaluating activities
  • Assists in recruitment and selection of full time and student staff through interviewing and evaluation
  • Manages logistics, publicity, development and assessment of academic initiative programming
  • Manages LLC email and listserv accounts
  • Maintains email communication between LLC Coordinators, Coordinators for Residence Education, Adopt aProfs, Resident Assistants, and the Associate Director for Academic Engagement

Professional Development (10%)

  • Attends departmental, divisional and University meetings and seminars as requested
  • Adheres to ACUHO-I ethical standards
  • Attends seminars and conferences applicable to career path
  • Presents workshops and seminars to staff and students as applicable
  • Adheres to all University Housing policies and procedures
  • Adheres to all University Code of Student Life policies and procedures
  • Completes the Emergency Management Training and Mandated Reporter Training
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

Supervision Received

This GA position reports to and is supervised by the Associate Director for Academic Engagement. Verbal contact is expected on a regular and frequent basis. Written reports may be expected concerning specific situations. Decisions involving delegated areas should be communicated to the Associate Director, and are often made in consultation with him/her.

Time Commitment

The position is designed to be a 20 hour per week commitment; the actual time spent may vary slightly week to week, but will not exceed the 20 hours per week requirement from the Graduate School.

Education/Experience Required

A Bachelor’s degree and leadership experience is required; experience with academic engagement initiatives is preferred. Additionally, acceptance and enrollment into a graduate degree program in higher education, counseling, workforce development, public policy with an emphasis in higher education, or another related field is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, human and public relations, and organization skills. Computer proficiency preferably in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. Be comfortable with computer programs such as Doodle, MailChimp, Canva, OrgSync, etc. Ability to work independently, handles multiple tasks simultaneously, and interacts professionally with all segments of the University community. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Must be creative and detail-oriented.

Mental Demands Required

Because of the sensitive nature of incidents involving students, a staff member must be able to deal with students, staff, and faculty in confidential matters. Staff must be able to generate solutions, collaborate with others, and demonstrate initiative and personal resiliency. Due to the nature of the duties of the position, working hours are typically 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with some evening and weekends included for various events.

Physical Effort

Attendance, sight, speaking, write/type, and mobility to visit residence halls are required. Some buildings do not have elevators. The job requires moderate physical effort.

Purchasing

The Graduate Assistant for Academic Engagementis responsible for maintaining and staying within budget and programming guidelines as established cooperatively with their direct supervisor.

Graduate Assistantship (50% appointment)

  • Limited meal plan while dining halls are in operation
  • $1100 per month stipend for 12-month positions
  • $750 Professional Development budget
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
  • Tuition waiver
  • This position will begin July 16, 2018

This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background (and registry) check as well as a substance abuse test. Background check and drug screening information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.