Graduate Assistant Position Description
Graduate Assistants (GAs) at George Fox University are key leaders within Student Life. Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Residence Life and Associate Director of Residence Life, GAs play a critical role within the residential community as mentors, advisors, and co-curricular educators for Resident Assistants (RAs) and residents, helping deliver our Be Known Promise to all students at George Fox.
As a Christ-centered community, Residence Life at George Fox is committed to a culture of civility, respect, and inclusivity. As a department, we value diversity in our student leaders regardless of their self-identity. It is imperative that the AC recognizes the multiple constituents that exist in our work with students, which includes the racial/ethnic minority students, majority culture students, first-generation students, and international students.
Our goal is to develop students with an inward, outward, and forward focus, grounded in a Christ-centered context. The Graduate Assistant functions as part of a team that is responsible for the overall strategic coordination of student success and university-wide retention efforts.
Overview:
● Affirm the centrality and applicability of your Christian faith through behavior and expression of values and ideals which are the embodiment of that faith
● Affirm the mission, goals and Christian foundation of George Fox University
● Demonstrate support for the philosophy of Student Life, the programs of Residence Life, and the Community Accountability expectations as outlined in the Student Handbook
● Develop and maintain a residential environment that helps create a sense of belonging and equitable participation of all groups, while modeling ways to acknowledge and critically address
issues of oppression, privilege, and power
● Maintain on-call responsibilities during weekends (scheduled on a rotating basis) and respond to Assistant Area Coordinator for weekly duty support
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:
● Bachelor’s degree required. Undergraduate experience in Residence Life leadership preferred.
● Active enrollment in graduate program in higher education at Messiah Universityand maintain good academic standing while in the position.
● Maintain good conduct and disciplinary standing with the university at all times.
○ This includes adhering to all lifestyle standards, community policies, and other aspects of being a member of the George Fox community.
Competence in relational, interactive, and conflict mediation skills
● Competence in administrative and organizational skills
● Demonstrated engagement in faith development; personal commitment to faith in Christ
● Demonstrated consciousness of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and commitment to addressing issues of oppression, privilege, and power