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  • GA Openings for Various Learning Communities

    University of Connecticut

    Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities

    2023-24 Learning Community Graduate Assistant Job Description

    The Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities (FYP&LC) supports Graduate Assistant (GA) positions to provide undergraduate enrichment and administrative support for UConn Learning Communities (LC). LC GAs serve under the direction of a Faculty Director, and in collaboration with FYP&LC, as part of a support team that works to build community, a culture of support, and ensures each student participating in a LC gets the most out of this enrichment experience. Positions are half-time Graduate Assistantships and require 10 hours of work per week in-person (not virtual) on the Storrs campus.

    Learning Communities are a proven pedagogy that can provide intentionality and integration amongst undergraduate students’ curricular, co-curricular, and residential experiences. They become a foundation for a creative and holistic approach to Life-Transformative Education. They guide first- and second-year students in their transition to college and encourage all students to become engaged on campus and find meaningful pathways; they enable students to have regular one-on-one or small group interactions with faculty, advisors, staff, GAs, and peer mentors; they emphasize undergraduate research and experiential learning, and they develop intentionality and interdisciplinary habits of mind that encourage students to become life-long learners. Each LC has unique attributes and traditions based on its theme.

    We anticipate positions in the following interdisciplinary Learning Communities that serve first- and second-year students in any major who live together on one or more floors in a Residence Hall, take classes together, and engage in community building and educational activities. Please indicate your top choice. If your qualifications make you a good fit for a second community that you would also like to be considered for, please indicate that as well.

     

    • BSOUL - A LC in support of Black Sisters Optimizing, United, & Leading is a new LLC launching in the Fall designed to provide an open forum for discussing college transition issues and concerns that Black women experience, as well as to promote greater self-awareness, growth, and understanding of students as scholars, individuals, and global citizens. Preferred candidates will have an understanding of the Black woman experience in higher education as well as mentoring, program development, leadership, and/or academic and personal growth and success experience.

     

    • EcoHouse engages students in coursework, community-building, and service-learning activities designed to engender a culture of sustainability for those passionate about environmental issues. Preferred candidates will have community service, farming, environmental, and/or sustainability experience.

     

    • Global House serves half domestic, half international students (including some international exchange students). Community building courses and activities are designed to enhance students’ global awareness and perspectives while strengthening cultural identities. Preferred candidates will be international students and/or students with international experience.

     

    • Innovation House engages students in courses and activities designed to encourage thinking and acting innovatively to solve real world problems. Preferred candidates will have a background in making, creating, innovation, and/or entrepreneurship.

     

    • La Comunidad Intelectual engages students in courses and activities that recognize and examine Caribbean and Latin American cultures, customs, and traditions as they exist at UConn and beyond. LCI nurtures intellectual diversity, inclusivity, and social activism. Preferred candidates will have an understanding of Latinx cultures and be interested in supporting student success through self-exploration and close-knit community building.

     

    • Public Health House engages students in courses and service-learning activities designed to support students in their identity development while exploring issues related to community health. Preferred candidates will have a background or interest in coaching or mentoring with an interest in service-learning, community health education, advocacy, and/or health fields.

     

    Duties and Responsibilities:

    1. Support the LC Faculty Director’s vision; develop positive relationships with the LC leadership team, partners, and student members; communicate regularly with LC Faculty Director and staff in the Office of First Year Program and Learning Communities

     

    1. Plan, implement, manage, and evaluate LC events, activities, and trips, including all related procedures, budgeting, scheduling, marketing, and recruitment, including developing ways to introduce and engage students in using the UConn Innovation Zone makerspace; assuming greater responsibility until LC students become proficient in programming and organizational skills

     

    1. May co-instruct, instruct, and/or support credit bearing FYE (First Year Experience, UNIV 1810), service-learning (UNIV 1840), and/or sophomore courses (UNIV 3820); assist in the development of curriculum; plan and implement class activities; supervise group projects, and assess student learning

     

    1. Required to hold weekly office hours throughout the Fall and Spring semesters within the LC’s Residence Hall; mentor and advise every student member utilizing individual and group strategies and maintaining appropriate boundaries with students

     

    1. Provide advisement to LC student leaders/committees; set individual and group performance standards; manage work-flow; evaluate individual and group performance, and provide regular oversight and feedback

     

    1. Assist in the development of LC marketing and public relations efforts; ensure that all print and electronic materials are professional in appearance, current, and accurate; organize and deliver individual and group presentations; write articles for university and/or program newsletters, blogs, websites, etc.

     

    1. Manage or assist in managing the LC’s social media outlets including Instagram and LinkedIn pages to keep the UConn community, student members, and interested parties informed of the LC’s mission, accomplishments, and activities

     

    1. Act as a liaison between the LC, key students, faculty, and staff stakeholders from across the university; send periodic newsletter and/or updates to all members and partners, coordinate meetings and give public presentations as needed

     

    1. Connect students with relevant faculty, programs, events, and opportunities occurring across campus relevant to the theme of the LC or individual student interests; encourage engagement and student professional and personal development

     

    1. Required to attend bi-annual LC Team Planning meetings before the start of each semester, regularly scheduled Team Meetings with the Director, other required meetings, and represent the Faculty Director at meetings and events, as required

     

    1. Required to attend key LC-wide events and individual LC events and trips throughout the year, and must ensure that individual LC activities do not conflict with LC-wide activities

     

    1. Prepare a report on responsibilities completed in position at the end of each semester and prepare, or contribute to, the LC Annual Report submitted to FYP&LC at end of the academic year

     

    1. Complete other duties as assigned

    Commitment: Half-Graduate Assistantship, 10 hours per week; schedule will vary based on availability and programmatic needs. Weekend and evening hours are required to lead and/or attend courses, events, and activities.

    Minimum Qualifications: Strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated mentoring experience; strong organization, leadership, and programming skills; commitment to student success, creativity, and innovation; ability to use Microsoft Office andGoogle suite programs; an ability to be in-person for this role; must be actively enrolled in a graduate program at UConn. Graduate Assistantships are 1-year appointments with no guarantee of re-appointment the following year. Dates of appointment follow university guidelines for graduate assistant positions and require work beyond the end of each semester (see https://uconngradunion.org/). Candidates must be able and willing to fulfill this obligation.

    Preferred Qualifications: ≥1 year experience supervising or mentoring college students; experience with event coordination; related professional experience; enrollment in a related UConn PhD program with > 1 year left before graduation; teaching experience

    Application Process: Interested candidates should send a letter of interest; resume/cv; and names and contact information for 3 professional references to: Hannah Ravenell, FYP&LC at: Hannah.Ravenell@uconn.edu. Please indicate which 1-2 LC GA positions you are interested in and why. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.

    For more information, contact: Hannah Ravenell at hannah.ravenell@uconn.edu