Position Title: Graduate Assistant, Academic Success Center
Department: Academic Success Center
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the Director of Academic Success, the Graduate Assistant (GA) will design and implement academic success programs aimed at increasing retention and supporting undergraduate degree completion. Responsibilities include providing one-on-one academic coaching, assisting with student success workshops, and collaborating with campus partners to develop targeted programming for at-risk students. Additionally, the GA will help manage the Learning Center, ensuring its resources and services effectively support students.
The GA will also develop and lead a unique project of their own design, tailored to enhance the department’s initiatives. This project will be completed in collaboration with staff and aligned with the office’s goals.
Furthermore, the GA will oversee the department’s Instagram account, curating and posting engaging content that promotes the office’s mission and student success programs.
This is a two-year, 20-hour/week appointment, not to exceed 800 hours/year. The commitment runs from approximately August to May 28 each year.
Education Required: Bachelor's degree required; current enrollment in one of the degrees within the graduate program in Higher Education Leadership at Messiah University.
Experience Required:
- Experience working in a setting that requires significant interaction with people (e.g., office, retail, service industry, etc.).
- Experience with social media management, particularly Instagram, is preferred.
- Experience in research, content creation, or educational outreach is a plus.
Skills, Characteristics Required for Position:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in social media platforms, particularly Instagram, and content creation tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Spark, etc.).
- Strong organizational and time-management skills.
- Ability to self-advocate, ask questions when needed, and proactively problem-solve.
- Passion for promoting student success and contributing to the goals of the office.
- Experience or interest in working with at-risk students or in academic support roles is desirable.
- Christian faith commitment required
Special Working Conditions: Occasional weekend and evening work as priorities demand.
Primary Duties:
- Develop and implement academic success programs and initiatives to support undergraduate retention and degree completion.
- Provide one-on-one academic coaching to undergraduate students, helping them develop effective study habits, time management skills, and academic strategies.
- Assist in planning and facilitating academic success workshops.
- Collaborate with other departments to create and deliver programming for at-risk students.
- Create and develop a project, in collaboration with staff, that will assist individuals within the office. This project will be worked on throughout the GA’s time in the position and tailored to the needs of the department.
- Manage the department’s Instagram account, including creating content, posting regularly, engaging with followers, and tracking analytics.
- Work collaboratively with learning center tutors to support student success initiatives.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Academic Success.