How to Apply

In addition to submitting your application through http://careers.umich.edu/ please email the following information to: [email protected].

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume. The letter should address your specific interest in and fit with this GSSA position. Please include your University Department/Program affiliation and year in graduate studies.
Contact information (email and phone) for three to five professional references
A letter or email from your academic advisor confirming that:
- you are in good academic standing
- you are not on fellowship support
- the work described below fulfills your degree requirement or is considered academically relevant to the degree you are pursuing
- you are approved for a 50% appointment (PLEASE NOTE: this letter may be submitted separately to:[email protected]

Job Summary

Rackham Graduate School is seeking a Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) to work with the Minority Serving Institutions Initiative on program development and evaluation, resource creation and dissemination, and strategic planning for key initiatives.

Appointment Period: Winter 2025 (This position is for the Winter 2025 term with possible renewal during the Spring/Summer term and the Fall term contingent upon completion of performance expectations and available funding).

Estimated FTE: 50% (20 hours per week)

Compensation: This appointment provides tuition, required fees, stipend (at the GEO negotiated GSSA monthly rate), GradCare health insurance, and dental insurance (Option 1).

Course Description

Responsibilities*

Responsibilities include:

Conduct literature reviews, document/website analysis, benchmarking on relevant topics including but not limited to, funding opportunities to support relationships with MSIs, high impact practices, and other MSI partnership related information)
Assist with developing systematic program evaluation across current and future MSI related activities in alignment with learning objectives
Engage with prospective students from MSIs and currently enrolled U-M graduate students that are alumni of MSIs
Support planning and implementation of visits by student groups from MSIs, TRiO/McNair, and other groups
Assist with identifying, summarizing, and disseminating best practices
Assist in documenting U-M?MSI partnerships for the purpose of developing and disseminating best practices in processes, practices, and outcomes
Identifying opportunities for systematically growing and scaling programming;
Prepare reports on U-M and MSI relationships

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities.

NOTE: SOME FLEXIBILITY OF SCHEDULED WORK HOURS IS REQUIRED, INCLUDING EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS ON A PRIOR SCHEDULED BASIS.

Required Qualifications*

Applicants must be currently registered in a Rackham graduate program. Preference will be given to doctoral students who have reached candidacy. Students who are unsure if they are in a Rackham graduate program should check their graduate program listing in http://www.rackham.umich.edu/programs-of-study.

Demonstrated research experience (quantitative or qualitative)
Basic data analysis and familiarity with Qualtrics
Excellent oral and analytical written communication skills
Demonstrated competency with modern computer productivity tools including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation programs
Ability to handle multiple projects with excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
Ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of a sensitive and confidential nature
Demonstrated interpersonal skills
Strong organizational skills
Reasonable knowledge of University and departmental policies and procedures, University organization, and University protocol and governance
Ability to work as part of a team and capacity to exercise independent initiative

Desired Qualifications*

Experience with recruitment, student development and diversity issues in higher education
An understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented populations in higher education
The ability to work, problem solve and make decisions with limited supervision
Attended or previously worked for a Minority Serving Institution

How You'll Grow

The GSSA position will strengthen professional competencies in the following areas:

Interpersonal skills-using active listening skills and being able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner
Development-identifying needs and formulating ideas
Evaluation-collecting/gathering information about specific components of programs to make future decisions, set appropriate goals, or make possible changes
Resource management-creating intended outcomes to enhance areas for improvement and measuring achievement of intended outcomes to justify the allocation of the resources used
Problem solving-having the critical thinking skills to address situations on a consistently evolving short-term and long-term outlook
Collaboration-working with others cooperatively to reach established goals.
Best practices in recruitment and graduate student success
Best practices in graduate student success
Community-building in higher education environments
Student should be able to present a proposal/paper regarding their experience at a local/regional conference in their field

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to [email protected] Applicants may request the status of their application from the appointing unit.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for finalists.

Cherie Dotson, Director of Access and Inclusion is leading this search.

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by January 6, 2025

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for finalists.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.