Graduate Assistant - Transpersonal Art Therapy

Position Title: Graduate Assistant - Transpersonal Art Therapy

# of Openings: 3

Department/Program: MTC Art Therapy 12070

Work Location: 100% On-Site

Campus Location: Nalanda Campus

Reports to: Christine DeMarco

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt/Hourly

FTE: 20% (7.5 hrs/week)

Compensation: $20 per hour / $2,250 Scholarship

Application Deadline: 6/1 or until filled

Job Summary
The position(s) provide(s) research, teaching and program support for the Graduate Transpersonal Art Therapy (TAT) program and for the Undergraduate Art Therapy (ATH) major. This position starts in early Fall 2026 semester and is for fall and spring semesters.

There are three 7.5 hour positions.

Job Duties & Responsibilities
• Assist with management responsibilities for the Naropa Community Art Studio (NCAS) - ordering materials, maintaining inventory, liaison with vendors, faculty, and lead NCAS mentors.
• Help to train the next NCAS GA/RA.
• Provide research support, including but not limited to, compiling literature reviews, gathering data, compiling data related to many NCAS projects.
• Track inventory for the studio including ordering/organizing materials, and kiln organization/management responsibilities.
• Follow the NCAS operations manual (available upon request). Update the manual as needed.
• Work with faculty on research projects specifically related to the NCAS and the studio laboratory.
• Maintain contact and a working relationship with NCAS lead mentors during the 2-semester practicum.
• Teaching assistant support for undergraduate art therapy courses
• Outreach and mentor coordination for graduate and undergraduate students to enhance the art therapy community at Naropa.
• Admissions/prospective student outreach and mentorship
• Support and management during 3rd year graduate art therapy students’ oral presentations

What Naropa Requires…

• All job candidates must demonstrate their level of understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity.
• All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.

Qualifications Naropa Would Prefer in Candidates for this Position
• Experience in studio management, especially experience in the use of a kiln
• Capacity for self-direction in managing work tasks

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions:
In the classrooms and on campus may experience: interruptions, distractions, heat, cold, dust and/or dampness. As a graduate assistant, you may spend extended periods time with any of the following:
•Reading academic texts and materials, student papers, etc.
•Operating personal computer and audio-visual equipment.
•Standing or sitting for hours at a time.
•Moving around campus for classes and meetings.

Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year:  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November, and Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s.

Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.

A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.

Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.

All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.

The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.

Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here:  

Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.