Graduate Assistant for Student Life

Job Title: Graduate Assistant for Student Life Full or Part Time: Part time Hours: 20 Exempt: No Supervisory Org: Student Life (JM-SE) Job Description: Job Title: Graduate Assistant for Student Life Department: Student Life Wage: $16.00/hour Work Schedule: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends. Job Summary: The Graduate Assistant for Student Life serves as a strategic leader dedicated to fostering vibrant community connections both on and off campus. This role bridges the gap between the university and its partners by spearheading high-impact student programming and executing large-scale campus events that drive engagement. Furthermore, the GA will actively cultivate community partnerships and lead volunteer engagement initiatives to build a robust, service-oriented network. Designed as a flexible professional development platform, this role empowers the candidate to tailor their outreach and administrative projects to align directly with their unique career aspirations and growth goals. This appointment is for a maximum of two calendar years. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Plan, facilitate, and assess student-facing events such as Welcome Week programs, Homecoming programs, etc. Serve as a liaison for the Office of Student Life, fostering and maintaining partnerships with both on-campus departments and off-campus organizations to expand student resources and engagement. Support the operations of student volunteer services initiatives through organizational oversight and identification of grant opportunities Initiate and maintain communication with external vendors to coordinate services logistics that support a variety of Student Life initiatives, including campus programming and student volunteer services events. Assist with vendor outreach, scheduling, confirmations, and follow-up to ensure partnerships run smoothly and align with the goals of the Office of Student Life. Meet regularly with supervisors to tailor specific projects to personal career goals, such as non-profit management or higher education administration. Track participation metrics for programs and pantry usage to inform future departmental strategy. Utilize organization skills and competency with most Microsoft Office, 25Live, and other software programs Maintain knowledge of University operations and departments (serve as a referral to students/faculty/staff) Assist the Office of Student Life with any additional duties relevant to the role. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Currently admitted to a graduate program at SVSU or eligible and intending to apply upon accepting the offer. Candidates are preferred to have an interest in campus/community programming. Candidates must have an appreciation of diverse staff, members, and participants; the ability to provide a positive environment free of discrimination. Candidates must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills. TUITION ELIGIBILITY & TAX IMPLICATIONS: Graduate Assistantships include a tuition and fee waiver of up to 12 credit hours per semester (maximum 30 per academic year), funded by the SVSU central budget. Full-time enrollment (9 credits or more) is required in the Fall and Winter semesters, with minimal exceptions available. Per IRS regulations, tuition waivers may be considered taxable income. Amounts exceeding $5,250 annually are generally taxable and will be included in compensation. Employees should consult a tax advisor for guidance. WORKING CONDITIONS: Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions. All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan. This position is an on-campus position and doesn’t qualify for remote work The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty. About SVSU: Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024). SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation. SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed. More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website, SVSU STANDS OUT through our employee experience: Our work culture, values, and mission. Excellent retirement package and employee benefits. Professional development to support and grow employees. Prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees through programs and gym memberships. Rewarding and recognizing employees' achievements.