Graduate Assistantship Office of Institutional Advancement; OIA

Position Overview

The Graduate Assistant in the Office of Institutional Advancement supports fundraising, alumni engagement, stewardship, communications, and advancement operations while pursuing a master’s degree at Talladega College. This position provides hands‑on professional experience in higher education advancement and supports the College’s fundraising, engagement, and institutional visibility goals.

A graduate assistantship is a structured appointment in which a graduate student is employed by the college while enrolled in a master’s or doctoral degree program. In exchange for performing assigned duties such as administrative support, teaching assistance, research, or professional services, the student receives compensation, which may include hourly wages, a stipend, tuition remission or reduction, and/or other educational benefits.

Graduate assistantships are designed to provide financial support, professional development, and practical experience aligned with the student’s academic program and the institution’s operational needs.

Twelve‑month academic year appointment, renewable based on performance, enrollment status, and institutional needs.

Up to 30 hours per week, flexible scheduling to accommodate academic commitments.

The Graduate Assistant must be enrolled in one of Talladega College’s approved master’s degree programs. Continued eligibility for the assistantship requires maintaining enrollment in good academic standing.

A fifty percent (50%) tuition reduction is available after successful completion of the first semester. Tuition benefit is subject to institutional policies, funding availability, continued enrollment in an approved master’s degree program, and satisfactory job performance.

• Advancement Operations and Administrative Support
  • Assist with the day‑to‑day operations of the Office of Institutional Advancement.
  • Support gift processing, data entry, and donor record maintenance in the College’s advancement system.
  • Assist with the preparation of reports, tracking metrics, and organizing advancement data.
  • Maintain confidentiality and accuracy of donor and institutional information.
• Fundraising and Donor Engagement Support
  • Support annual giving, campaigns, and special fundraising initiatives.
  • Assist with donor acknowledgments, stewardship correspondence, and impact reporting.
  • Conduct basic prospect research under supervision.
  • Support preparation of fundraising materials and donor communications.
• Alumni Engagement and Event Support
  • Assist with alumni outreach, engagement initiatives, and communications.
  • Support planning and execution of alumni events, donor receptions, and institutional programs.
  • Assist with event logistics, registration tracking, and post‑event follow‑up.
• Marketing, Communications, and Content Support
  • Assist with advancement‑related communications, including newsletters, emails, and digital content.
  • Support coordination with the Office of Communications and Branding on advancement messaging.
  Assist with social media content scheduling and engagement related to advancement initiatives.

Hourly Rate: $20.00 per hour, based on qualifications, experience, and graduate program alignment.

Estimated Annual Earnings:
Based on up to 30 hours per week over a 12‑month academic year:
Approximately $24,000–$31,000 annually, depending on average weekly hours worked.

• Admission to and enrollment in a Talladega College master’s degree program.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage confidential information with professionalism and discretion.

• Interest in higher education administration, nonprofit management, communications, or fundraising.
• Experience with databases, CRM systems, or administrative support.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a professional office environment.

The Graduate Assistant reports to the Vice President for Institutional Advancement or designee. Performance is evaluated each semester to determine continuation of the assistantship and eligibility for tuition benefits.