The Learning Community office is anticipating having half- (10-hour/week) or full-time (20-hour/week) Graduate Assistant (GA) positions for the following UConn Learning Communities. Read the job description below and apply for the Learning Community position that is the best fit based on your experience.
- Global House: applicants who are pursuing a graduate program with an international research focus or who have lived in a country other than the U.S. will be given preference in consideration (full or half-time position)
- Humanities House: applicants who are passionate about a liberal arts education, drawing connections between seemingly disparate parts of the undergraduate curriculum and the broader university experience will be given preference in consideration (half-time position)
- Innovation House: applicants who have experience and/or personal, academic, or research interests in creativity, innovation, and/or entrepreneurship will be given preference in consideration (half-time position)
- WiMSE House (Women in Math, Science & Engineering): applicants who identify as female and are pursuing a STEM graduate program will be given preference in consideration (half-time position)
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2020-21 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/administrative support for interdisciplinary Learning Communities. LC GAs serve under the direction of a Faculty Director and in collaboration with the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities as part of a support team helping build community and ensuring each student gets the most out of their experience.
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 education. They help first-year students in their transition to college and encourage all students to become engaged on campus; they enable students to have regular one-on-one or small group interaction 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.
Essential Duties:
- Support the faculty director’s vision for the LC and develop positive relationships with the LC team and members
- Plan, implement, manage, and evaluate Learning Community events, activities, and field trips, including all related procedures, budgeting, scheduling, marketing, and recruitment, including developing ways to introduce and engage students in using the Learning Community Innovation Zone (LCIZ) makerspace; assuming greater responsibility until LC students become proficient in programming and organizational skills
- May co-instruct, instruct, and/or support credit bearing FYE (First Year Experience, UNIV 1810), service-learning (UNIV 1840), and/or sophomore seminars (typically UNIV 3820); assist in the development of curriculum; plan and implement class activities; supervise group projects, and assess student learning
- Required to hold office hours weekly throughout the Fall and Spring semesters within the Learning Community’s Residence Hall; mentor and advise every student member utilizing individual and group strategies
- Provide advisement to Learning Community student groups/committees; set individual and group performance standards; manage work-flow; evaluate individual and group performance, and provide regular oversight and feedback
- Assist in the development of Learning Community 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.
- Act as a liaison between the Learning Community, key students, faculty, and staff stakeholders from across the university; send periodic newsletter and/or updates, coordinate meetings as needed, and give public presentations as needed
- Connect students with relevant faculty, programs, and events occurring across campus, encouraging engagement and student professional and personal development
- Communicate regularly with LC Faculty Director and staff in the Office of First Year Program and Learning Communities
- Required to attend bi-annual LC Team Planning meetings, other required meetings, as well as key LC events throughout the year; and to ensure that individual Learning Community activities do not conflict with LC-wide activities
- Prepare a report on responsibilities completed in position at the end of each semester and prepare, or contribute to, the Learning Community Annual Report submitted to FYP&LC at end of the academic year
- Complete other duties as assigned
Commitment: 10 or 20 hours per week, depending on position; schedule will vary based on availability and programmatic needs. Weekend and evening hours are required in order to lead or attend related courses, events, and activities.
Qualifications: Strong written and verbal communication; demonstrated mentoring experience; strong organization, leadership, and programming skills; commitment to creativity and innovation; ability to use Microsoft Office programs; and must be actively enrolled in appropriate 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. It is important to plan accordingly to fulfill this obligation.
Preferred Qualifications: ≥1 year experience supervising or mentoring college students; experience with event coordination / event management; related professional experience; enrollment in a related UConn PhD program; teaching experience
Application Process: Interested candidates should send a letter of interest; resume/CV; and names and contact information for three professional references to: Sara Dahlen, Program Assistant, Learning Community Program, Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities at Sara.Dahlen@uconn.edu. Indicate which LC GA position you are interested in and why. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.
For more information, contact: Sara Dahlen at sara.dahlen@uconn.edu