Graduate DC Reads Program Assistant (Student)

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

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Department:

DC Reads

Time Type:
Part time

FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

Are you a graduate student passionate about education equity, leadership development, and community engagement? Join the DC Reads team at American University as our Graduate Program Assistant (Programming GA) and help shape meaningful service-learning experiences across campus and the DC community.


The Graduate Assistant for DC Reads supports the daily operations, program management, and student leadership development of the program. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, advising student leaders, managing program communications, coordinating community partner relationships, event planning, and supporting Federal Work-Study operations. The Graduate Assistant will support curriculum development, coordinates program logistics, facilitates meetings and orientations, and manages communications with student leaders. The position collaborates closely with Team Leaders (TLs), Education Advocates (EAs), CLCE staff, and community partners.


The Center for Leadership & Community Engagement (CLCE) advances educational access, equity-centered programming, and community-engaged learning through the DC Reads program. This work connects American University students with K-8 youth through literacy, mentorship, and enrichment, while also developing student leaders who are equipped with skills in social justice, community partnership, intercultural communication, and educational equity.


Essential Functions:

• Help plan new TL orientation in FALL and Spring with the Director.
• Book event spaces, tables, and rooms using AU EMS online scheduling and booking service.
• Organize interviews with potential Education Advocates within the first weeks of a semester, setting up times during days and scheduling TLs to lead interviews.
• Ensure that all interview materials are updated in Teams, and continuously refreshed.
• Create a placement spreadsheet during the interview process that TLs and GAs fill out as they carry out interviews including important information about each EA.
• Plan and lead Team Leader meetings biweekly including icebreaker community builders, agendas, slideshow presentations, activities, snacks/food, and any materials.
• Share materials with TLs to develop their curriculum and meeting agendas.
• Communicate monthly with community partners to check in and ensure programming needs are met on both ends.
• Plan and implement activities to engage community partners and the university community.
• Work with the CLCE Director of the E&E program to develop a student leadership curriculum to engage TLs in leadership development.
• Organize workshops, speakers, and skills builders for both TLs and EAs related to education programming, equity-centered work, social justice, leadership, and other important developmental skills.
• Develop relationships with community partners with the Director.
• Help assess potential partnerships concerning program standards.
• Ensure the organization of tracking and files within Lead Team and Teams Education Equity channels.
• Help develop media materials including social media posts and a newsletter.
• Update, send out, and analyze results from program evaluations at the close of each semester.
• Plan and facilitate Saturday EA orientations following the close of recruitment periods .
• Take, and share to Teams, minutes/notes at lead team meetings .
• Assist in maintaining EA records .
• Provide support and assistance to the Director of the program as necessary.
• Facilitate recruitment efforts including class visits, creation of recruitment materials, aiding in tabling, and expanding outreach during September-October and January-February .
• Meet 1:1 with half of the Team Leaders on a biweekly basis. Meetings are about 30 minutes and consist of conversations between TL and GA about materials, questions, problem-solving, leadership development, EAs, and any other support needed or questions from the TL.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to TLs and EAs as needed.
• Create and print certificates for the End of Year Celebration for any EA who has logged in at least 15 hours of service to GivePulse .
• Serve as one of the resources to students and community partners.
• Meet weekly with the Lead Team to plan, problem-solve, and develop the program.
• Be familiar with other GA position's role and key responsibilities, and provide support whenever needed.

Competencies:

• Advising and Supporting - Providing guidance, referrals, direction, feedback, and individualized support to TLs and EAs.
• Student Learning & Development - Applying student development theory to inform training, curriculum, and student leadership experiences.
• Assessment, Evaluation, and Research - Focuses on the ability to design, implement, and use assessment and evaluation processes to inform program development and decision-making. The Graduate Assistant will learn to gather meaningful data, analyze program effectiveness, create evaluation tools, and utilize results to improve DC Reads initiatives.
• Leadership - Addresses the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for practicing leadership with or without positional authority. The Graduate Assistant will understand leadership as a process involving collaboration, integrity, and change-making. They will support team development, guide student leaders, co-facilitate trainings, and model leadership practices grounded in ethics, equity, and community engagement.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part-time.
• 20 hours per week.

Salary Range:

• $18.00 - $18.50 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree and acceptance into a graduate program at American University.
• A current graduate student at American University.
• Passion for education, equity, and community-building.
• Ability to manage events, mentor student leaders, and work collaboratively.
• Experience with administrative tools and a proactive mindset.
• Experience with student programming, mentoring, or community-based learning.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with diverse constituencies.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience in leadership development, youth development, or equity-centered education.
• Strong attention to detail and administrative experience.
• Familiarity with digital platforms.
• Event planning experience.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Primarily an in-office work modality, with some hybrid flexibility depending on responsibilities.
• Occasional evening or weekend support for programs and events.

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.
• Visit for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees (including those employed in student positions) must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

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