Under the direction and supervision of the Leadership of Health and Wellness, the Graduate Assistants will work with the Counseling Graduate Assistants and Nurses on presentation requests, data collection, and outreach and prevention efforts, in addition to any other functions that the Director or Executive Director deems necessary. Additionally, the Graduate Assistants design, implement, and facilitate an inclusive, evidence-based outreach program addressing health-related issues for college-aged students to develop as a whole person and establish an identity that incorporates emotional and physical wellness. These programs may include but are not limited to: general health and wellness issues; alcohol and other drug (AOD) use; bystander intervention; safer sex practices and sexually transmissible infections, including HIV; contraception; self[1]esteem; sexual violence; mental health, and others. Events will include educational workshops, special events, marketing, social media campaigns, and more. The Graduate Assistant will also partake in continuing education as well as event planning and management.
What you gain as a Graduate Assistant in Health and Wellness Services:
• Develop, present, and evaluate presentations for the University community
• Conceptualize, design, and post-marketing material for departmental presentations
• Be a student leader on campus and advocate for student needs
• Knowledge of living a healthier lifestyle
• Opportunities for networking with campus and community partners, connections with peers, and mentoring with professional staff members
• Opportunity for growth and leadership within the program
• Gain the ability to work independently and with confidence in different areas of health and wellness services
• Gain multicultural competence through training and everyday interactions
• Learn to balance personal responsibilities efficiently
• Enhanced speaking, reading, and writing skills for a professional health and wellness workplace
Graduate Assistant Learning Outcomes
Below you will find learning outcomes outlined for the KU Graduate Assistant, separated into different competencies. These learning outcomes highlight the skills we intend for you to gain because of your experience in this position.
Intrapersonal Development The intrapersonal development learning outcome includes realistic self-appraisal, self-awareness, personal goal setting, navigating personal values and beliefs, working with people different from oneself, and recognizing personal attributes such as self[1]confidence, self-esteem, ethics, and integrity.
o Health and Wellness Graduate Assistant:
• Will be able to clarify their beliefs or values.
• Will be able to recognize and accept their strengths and deficiencies.
Practical Competence The practical competence learning outcome includes identifying short and long-term goals, establishing a career path, and developing a sense of self and purpose.
o Health and Wellness Graduate Assistant:
• Will be able to engage in effective listening.
• Will be able to articulate their knowledge about student health issues.
• Will be able to effectively deliver a presentation.
• Will be able to hold themselves accountable for obligations and commitments.
• Will be able to plan, execute, and evaluate the success of an educational event.
Interpersonal Competence The interpersonal competence learning outcome includes managing relationships between self and others, understanding personal leadership styles, active listening, establishing comfort discussing risky behaviors, presenting, role modeling healthy choices for others, and creating meaningful relationships.
o Health and Wellness Graduate Assistant:
• Will be able to effectively manage conflicts between others.
• Will be able to effectively work with others who share views that are different from their own.
• Will be able to learn active listening skills and consider others’ points of view.
• Will be able to effectively communicate with people.
Knowledge Acquisition, Construction, Integration, and Application- The knowledge acquisition, construction, integration, and application learning outcome includes awareness/knowledge of campus and community resources, interpreting thoughts and ideas, evaluating arguments effectively, and developing problem-solving skills.
o Health and Wellness Graduate Assistant:
• Will be able to articulate their knowledge about health issues.
• Will be able to articulate their knowledge about campus resources in depth.
• Will be able to refer and assist someone to on-campus counseling or health services.
This position is for 20 hours/week of work (300 hours for the Fall and Spring semester), and it provides a tuition waiver for 9 graduate credits plus a stipend of $3,750 per semester. Please contact Shannon Merkey for additional information if needed at merkey@kutztown.edu.
