Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies

Career Readiness Overview
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines Career Readiness as the attainment and demonstration of competencies that broadly prepare college graduates for a successful transition into the workplace. NACE has identified eight key competencies—Career & Self-Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology—that serve as a foundation for developing essential skills that employers seek. In these Graduate Assistant positions, the work carried out by the assistants will actively cultivate and integrate these competencies through program development, community engagement, student support, and collaborative efforts with campus partners.
By focusing on these competencies, the positions will not only support student success and development but will also ensure that graduate assistants are equipped with the skills and experience needed for future professional opportunities.

Position Overview
The Graduate Assistant (GA) for Student Success and Community supports the Center by assisting with developing and implementing programs, services, and initiatives that foster student success, personal development, and community engagement. The GA will work collaboratively with professional staff, student employees, and campus partners to fulfill the mission and objectives of the Center.

Responsibilities

• Program Support & Implementation
  • Assist with planning, coordinating, and evaluating co-curricular programs and workshops that support academic success, leadership development, personal growth, and student belonging. (Highlighted Competencies: Leadership, Critical Thinking, Career & Self-Development)
  • Provide logistical and administrative support for major initiatives, events, and campaigns led by the Center. (Highlighted Competencies: Professionalism, Technology)
• Campus Community Engagement
  • Help create and sustain a welcoming, inclusive community environment within the Center. (Highlighted Competencies: Equity & Inclusion, Leadership)
  • Support targeted outreach efforts to engage and connect students to campus resources and services. (Highlighted Competencies: Communication, Professionalism)
• Student Support & Resource Navigation
  • Serve as a Wayfinder by helping students navigate academic support services such as tutoring, advising, and student success resources. (Highlighted Competencies: Career & Self-Development, Teamwork)
  • Meet with students to provide guidance, referrals, and check-ins as appropriate. (Highlighted Competencies: Communication, Critical Thinking)
• Collaboration & Communication
  • Work closely with campus partners, including Academic Affairs, to support shared goals. (Highlighted Competencies: Teamwork, Communication)
  • Contribute to internal communications, including newsletters, digital content, and resource guides. (Highlighted Competencies: Communication, Technology)
• Assessment & Administrative Duties
  • Assist in tracking participation, collecting feedback, and supporting ongoing assessment efforts. (Highlighted Competencies: Critical Thinking, Professionalism)
  • Maintain accurate records, contribute to reports, and help ensure program alignment with Center goals. (Highlighted Competencies: Technology, Professionalism)

Benefits (Varies year to year):
Wage Allocation: You will be paid twice per month for actual hours worked at a $12.00 per hour rate and are allowed to earn up to a total of $9,000 during an academic year appointment period.

Professional Development Allocation: You will have access to $300 through your hiring department to use for professional development related costs. It must be related to the job requirements of your assistantship and receive approval from your supervisor.

On-Campus Parking Permit: Your assistantship includes a parking permit (valued at $360). You are responsible for registering and initially paying for your parking registration out-of-pocket. Reimbursement is provided via a Fall scholarship and is considered compensation by the IRS. Therefore, federal and state taxes will be withheld from your first paycheck. Detailed instructions for acquiring your permit are located on the Parking & Transportation website.

Tuition Waiver: A scholarship equivalent to in-state tuition for your graduate coursework will be applied to your financial aid package. If approved for graduate enrollment in less than 9 hours of coursework, the amount of the scholarship will equal the actual cost of in-state tuition billed to your student account for that semester. You will be responsible for paying the fee portion of your bill and the discrepancy between out-of-state tuition and your awarded amount (if applicable).