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Commuter Student Services and First Year Experience, Graduate Assistant

Commuter Student Services and First Year Experience, Graduate Assistant (Messiah University campus)

This position has been filled for 2025-2027

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development, the graduate assistant will perform duties related to the inclusion and support of commuting and first-year students through individual meetings, social event coordination, and educational programs. This is a two year, 20 hours/week, appointment not to exceed 800 hours/year. Commitment runs approximately from August 4th - May 28th each of the two years.

  • Education Required: Bachelor's degree required; current enrollment in one of the degrees within the graduate program in Higher Education Leadership at Messiah University.
  • Experience Required: Working in a setting that requires significant interaction with people (e.g. office; retail; etc.)

Skills, Characteristics Required for Position

  • Excellent organizational, time management and independent thinking skills
  • Ability and willingness to follow through with assisting students in times of need
  • Demonstrated commitment to the success of students
  • Attention to detail and follow-through in communication
  • Excellent people skills with demonstrable evidence of the ability to work with individuals of varying educational, financial and cultural backgrounds
  • Excellent verbal, listening, written, judgment and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work effectively with a wide range of campus constituents
  • Demonstrated commitment to excellent student (customer) service
  • Christian faith commitment required

Special Working Conditions: Occasional weekend and evening work as priorities demand

Primary Duties

  1. Assist with the advising and supervision of the Commuter Student Liaison leadership position
  2. As needed, meet with students who are considered potentially at risk by virtue of enrollment classification; academic progress alert; Bridge to Success Survey or identified by an individual faculty member or office. Assist such students by coaching them to build interpersonal skills, study habits, and guiding them to connect with student success resources.
  3. Create, implement, and attend commuter social events
  4. Generate on-campus engagement among commuter students by recruiting students to the Commuter Council and advising that group in collaboration with the Commuter Student Liaison
  5. Manage online resources for commuter students, such as the Commuter Canvas page
  6. Maintain a presence in the Charles Frey Commuter Lounge and work to build positive community among commuter students within that space
  7. Generate and monitor assessment on Commuter Student Services
  8. Manage periodic communication to commuter students via mass emails regarding commuter policies and event advertisements
  9. Assist with New Student Orientation programs, including training and recruiting Orientation Leaders
  10. Attend New Student Orientation events and support the orientation leaders in logistical planning

Secondary Duties

  1. Attend and participate in the Student Leadership Institute Common Gatherings
  2. Other duties as assigned