Definition of Position

This graduate assistantship position reports to the Associate Provost for Student Success & Academic Excellence or designee and receives a stipend and tuition remission as established by university policy for the academic year, which requires a 20 hour per week work commitment.  The Graduate Assistant is primarily responsible for assisting with implementation of the First-Year Experience (FYE) Program through presentation development and delivery, recruitment and training of FYE Guides, and supporting goals and objectives set forth by Student Success & Academic Excellence. The GA for First-Year-Experience also provides academic coaching and support for First-Year students to support retention efforts. 

Major Responsibilities

The Graduate Assistant will:

1.   Serve as a liaison for First-Year students who are exploring their abilities and interests while learning to develop critical-thinking, interpersonal, and metacognitive skills.

2.   Research and provide information on best practices in higher education that relate to First-Year programs and services and ultimately lead to continuous improvement.

3.   Serve as a lead for the recruitment, training, and assessment of FYE guides.

4.   Collaborate with the Coordinator for Student Success, the Associate Provost for Student Success and Academic Excellence, the FYE Director, and the FYS faculty to support and further develop the FYE Guide program

5.   Assist the Associate Provost, Coordinator for Student Success, and Starfish Manager in the planning and training of staff members regarding the use of campus technology, including Starfish.

6.   Use Starfish appointment scheduling and notes to document student interactions.

7.   Respond to referrals and identifying students for outreach through Starfish.

8.   Present workshops and trainings for students and staff as appropriate.

9.   Provide support for programs as needed.

10.   Assist the Associate Provost for Student Success & Academic Excellence, Coordinator for Student Success, and Starfish Manager in other duties as assigned.

Training and Experience:

• The Graduate Assistant for First-Year-Experience will be a graduate student in Student Affairs, Counseling, Social Work, Education or related area.  Analytical skills; demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and to conduct oneself in a highly professional and ethical manner and possess personal  characteristics including responsibility, initiative, energy, leadership, approachability and maturity.

Work Schedule:

The Graduate Assistant for First-Year-Experience position maintains working hours that are scheduled Monday through Friday for a total of 20 hours per week.  Hours can be adjusted when students are not on campus and/or to support training needs, staff meetings and/or professional development opportunities.

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 Andrea Kirshman for additional information if needed at kirshman@kutztown.edu