Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant

Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant

Position Summary

The term Graduate Assistant is the umbrella term that encompasses all types of GA appointments. Graduate Assistants are employed by the University to teach, conduct research, or assist with administrative duties in departments and non-academic units. Every attempt is made to assign Graduate Assistants to positions that are directly related to the student’s field of study or that provide the opportunity to develop transferable, professional skills.

Graduate Assistantships are assigned in the department or unit and confirmed by the Graduate School.

Dean of Students Office:
The Dean of Students supports students as they navigate unexpected challenges by fostering a culture of care. The office provides support for basic needs, students in distress, while partnering with students, faculty, and staff to promote student success and well‑being.

Division of Student Affairs:
The Mission and Goals of Student Affairs builds on the University’s Mission regarding engaged citizenship, life‑long learning, and leadership. Student Affairs provides intentional co‑curricular experiences to support academic learning.

Dual reporting to the Assistant Dean of Student in the Dean of Students Office and the Associate Director for Student & Family Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs

The Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant reports to the Assistant Dean of Students and the Associate Director of Student & Family Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs. The Graduate Assistant (GA) collaborates with the Dean, Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Deans of Students, Associate Director of Student & Family Engagement, and the Student Services Specialist to provide services to the University Community.

The Dean of Students Office is a fast‑paced, dynamic, student‑centered environment, which assists and serves the entire University Community. These services include providing outreach to the campus community, working with students, parents, and families individually and in groups, and serving as an advocate for faculty, staff, and students who seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office.

The philosophy of the Division of Student Affairs is that graduate students deserve challenge, support, supervision, resources, professional development opportunities, and role modeling. Student Affairs professionals believe graduate students should enjoy their work and the environment, feel an active part of the offices, be highly efficient and effective, and gain a well‑rounded professional experience in the field of student affairs.

The Graduate Assistant must be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours per semester, fully admitted into a degree program (not provisional), and is responsible for working 20 hours per week. The Graduate Assistant will have an assigned appointment for the period of August through May.
Priority consideration will be given to first‑year graduate students, as the position is a two‑year renewable contract with the Dean of Students Office and Division of Student Affairs.

• Manage the Spartan Families Fund database of pledges
• Prepare and send Spartan Families Fund Thank You letters to donors
• Assist with the planning and execution of annual fundraising events/other Family Engagement Events such as Spartan Family Weekend
• Assist with the planning and execution of the Fall and Spring Parent and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) meetings
• Maintain regular communication with PFAC
• Create informational materials for PFAC
• Respond to parent and family concerns via email/social media as appropriate by providing resources and information
• Create content/calendars for the Spartan Family Engagement social media pages, website, and Spartan Family Newsletters (assist with content creation for SA social media since they may overlap)
• Assist in the development of the monthly Spartan Family Newsletter

• Work with offices across campus and community resources to meet the needs…