Graduate Assistant for the University Graduate School

Hiring Graduate Assistant for the University Graduate School  

2026-27 School Year 

Description  

Each year since 2016, two graduate students have been selected to serve as Diversity Fellows to assist with recruiting, retention, and completion efforts at the University Graduate School. The fellows play a significant role in establishing and maintaining strong connections with current and prospective students, student organizations, and other community members, focusing on furthering belonging and inclusion initiatives. Fellows also assist with building inclusive intellectual and social spaces for all Indiana University Graduate School students, with a particular focus on underrepresented communities.  

Responsibilities  

We are looking for 1-2 graduate assistants for the 2026-2027 academic school year. Fellows work closely with the Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator in the University Graduate School. They are expected to undertake various tasks associated with all the University Graduate School’s belonging and inclusion initiatives.  

These tasks may include: 

• Planning and Implementation: Collaborating with staff to plan and implement various campus-wide and cross-institutional initiatives, including but not limited to STEM Summer Scholars Institute (STEM SSI), International Summer Undergraduate Research Program (ISURP), Getting You Into IU (GU2IU), and other inclusive programs throughout the year. This involves planning, coordination with various academic units, outreach efforts, attendance at events, connecting with current and prospective students, and successful execution of events. 

• Graduate Student Emissaries: Serving as the primary contact for all Graduate Student Emissaries. Responsibilities include assisting the Emissaries in successfully fulfilling their assignments (monthly blog posts and events), organizing internal meetings, and providing ongoing support. 

• Recruitment and Retention: Representing the UGS at regional and national recruitment fairs, as well as supporting current students in successfully navigating graduate school. Specific tasks may include occasional travel to recruitment conferences, engaging with prospective students, participating in informational panels with faculty members and student services staff, and leading highlight tours of the campus when we have events. 

• General Support: Providing general administrative support team as needed. This may involve tasks such as data collection and analysis, report writing, social media management, and other duties as assigned.  

 Qualifications  

• Educational Background: Currently enrolled as a graduate student at Indiana University, with a strong academic record. International students are eligible to apply.  

• Commitment to Inclusive Education: Demonstrated commitment to equitable practices and inclusive initiatives, with a particular focus on supporting underrepresented communities.  

• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate, and execute events and programs effectively.  

• Summer 2027 availability: Our largest and busiest recruitment events occur between June and August each year. Commitment to assisting with the programs throughout the entirety (or the majority) of the summer is important. Dates will be available in plenty of advance. 

• Communication Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with students, faculty, staff, and external partners.  

• Leadership and Collaboration: Proven ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with experience in collaborative projects.  

• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse groups of people, specifically with students from other universities and/or countries. 

• Event Planning Experience: Prior experience in event planning or program coordination is highly desirable.  

• Flexibility and Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.  

• Travel Availability: Willingness to travel occasionally for recruitment fairs and conferences (with plenty of advance notice). 

• Technical Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.  

• Driving Ability: Legal and physical ability to drive, with a valid driver’s license. Driving is required for some of our summer activities.  

• Physical Ability: Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and walk as required for event setup, transportation of materials, and campus tours.  

Compensation & Application  

This is a 50% FTE (i.e., 20 hours per week) Student Academic Appointment (GA) and is eligible for student health insurance. We hope to find a student who can commit August 2026 through July 2027 (12-month appointment) to assist with two major recruitment programs over the summer.  The salary will be $29,400 for the year, with tuition and fee remission. The position could be renewed for the following academic year (2027-2028), depending on satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.  

Interested students can apply for the opportunity using this link. You will need to complete the application, upload your resume, upload a two-page cover letter, and provide one IU faculty/staff reference. In your cover letter, highlight your past experiences with inclusive academic programming and explain why you are interested in this opportunity. The application deadline is March 31st. Interviews will take place in April.  

For all questions and inquiries, please contact the Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator in the University Graduate School, Katie Trzepacz Tish at katrze@iu.edu.