Graduate Assistant Youth Development

  1. Department Directory
  2. Office of Graduate Studies
  3. Graduate Assistant Opportunities
  4. Graduate Assistant Youth Development

Full Time, 20 Hours Per Week

Primary Purpose

A major role of the Youth Development (YDEV) graduate assistant will be to support the Youth Development BA and MA programs. Jobs and responsibilities will be further tailored to draw upon the strengths of the graduate assistant.

Benefit of the Graduate Assistant to Students

This assistantship will enhance the professional skills for any graduate student. Our “leading with” approach has empowered our graduate assistants to build skills and talents that continue to serve them in their chosen careers. The GA will gain experience and develop skills in evaluation, research, coordination, management, and facilitation as well as working knowledge of aspects of higher education and community partnerships, program development, and community/alumni engagement. Each year, we have encouraged our GAs to choose projects and topics that are both of interest to them and that would contribute to our program in positive ways. This openness has allowed each GA to tap their skills and passions and also to challenge their learning edges with support from the YDEV team. 

Throughout the life of the assistantship, the GA will be a part of the YDEV team. They will have access to a variety of administrative, practitioner and research supports from a community of mentors including Victoria Restler (YDEV Master’s Program Director), Lesley Bogad (Director of Youth Development), and Rachael Ficke Clemons (the YDEV Coordinator of Field Placements.)

Duties and Responsibilities

  • help to build a social justice leadership track for YDEV BA students
  • survey relevant courses and programs at other institutions
  • facilitate focus groups with leaders in the field
  • continue to develop outreach and communication strategies with YDEV B.A. alumni
  • support Undergraduate and Graduate Program recruitment, outreach, and communications
  • develop and facilitate alumni activities and communications
  • contribute to weekly YDEV leadership team meetings
  • assist with undergraduate intake for new majors, including the creation of advising resources
  • curate existing master’s projects for student reference
  • work with faculty as a course support in introductory undergraduate course

Qualifications

  • commitment to social justice and antiracist education
  • accepted degree candidate enrolled full time in plan of study (minimum 6 credits; maximum 9 credits)
  • ability to work both independently and as part of a team, to accept some direction but also be a self-starter
  • experience working with young people
  • desire to work with a variety of stakeholders including faculty, B.A. program alumni, community partners
  • exemplary community and public relations skills
  • effective oral and written communications
  • makes decisions using an asset based framework

How to Apply

Please submit resume and cover letter that specifically describes how your life, school, and work experiences prepare you to meet the qualifications listed above to Dr. Lesley Bogad. Please use subject line “YDEV GA 2024-25.” Graduate students of color and bilingual students are strongly encouraged to apply.