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 is committed to supporting the vitality of the graduate student community, strengthening it through increased accessibility of graduate education, and supporting students in fulfilling their potential and goals of excellence. The Rackham Merit Fellowship (RMF) provides financial assistance to talented, motivated students with a variety of goals and personal backgrounds from different educational, cultural, linguistic, and geographic backgrounds. In addition, Rackham organizes year-long programming to support current Rackham Merit Fellows and this GSSA position will support these programs and report to the Director of Access and Inclusion. This GSSA position is ideal for scholars who are interested in working with graduate students and applying their knowledge and skills related to supporting diverse graduate student populations.

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

The Rackham Merit Fellowship (RMF) provides financial assistance to talented, motivated students with a variety of goals and personal backgrounds from different educational, cultural, linguistic, and geographic backgrounds. In addition, Rackham organizes year-long programming to support current Rackham Merit Fellows and this GSSA position will support these programs and report to the Director of Access and Inclusion. This GSSA position is ideal for scholars who are interested in working with graduate students and applying their knowledge and skills related to supporting diverse graduate student populations.

Responsibilities*

Duties will include:

Assist with the planning and implementation of in-person and virtual RMF programming
Support all RMF events, some of which may take place outside regular business hours
Engage in needs analysis of specific graduate student populations, as needed
Create and assess outcomes for each program conducted
Create and curate resources for students
Collaborate with the Rackham Communication team to develop ideas for using social media and marketing to connect with students and promote program activities
Serve as a liaison for the RMF program
Attend regular meetings with RMF programming team
Address questions or inquiries emailed to the [email protected] mailbox

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.

The work described above for this position must be considered academically relevant by the department or degree program in which the student is enrolled

Strong background knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Experience with issues in graduate education, student development, and DEI in higher education

An understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented and marginalized populations in higher education

Ability to handle multiple projects with excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
Ability to collaborate effectively on a team

Ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of a sensitive and confidential nature

Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work and communicate effectively and professionally with the University community as well as external community partners

Ability to work collaboratively or independently, as the task requires

Demonstrated competency with modern computer productivity tools including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation programs

Desired Qualifications*

Familiarity and experience with RMF programming
Project management experience
Previous experience developing resource materials

How You'll Grow

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

Program development skills, including designing and implementing student retention programming
Program evaluation skills, including assessment of student development and program outcomes
Creating intended outcomes to enhance areas for improvement and measuring achievement of intended outcomes to justify the allocation of the resources used.
Best practices in retention and 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.

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. Selected candidates may be asked to submit a writing assignment. References will be contacted for finalists.

Cherie Dotson, Director of Partnerships for Access, Community and Excellence is leading this search.

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

Selection Process

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.