Location:
Penn First Plus (P1P), University of Pennsylvania
Modality:
In-Person
Position Length:
Academic Year (Fall - Spring)
Work Hours and Commitment:
Candidate must be available to work a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 hours per week across the Fall and Spring semesters, in person between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Occasional weekday evening commitments with advance notice.
Application Deadline:
Pay Rate:
$23.00/hr
Additional Compensation:
None
Overview
Penn First Plus Overview
Penn First Plus (P1P) is the University’s central hub for supporting undergraduate students who are the first in their families to pursue a four-year degree or come from modest financial backgrounds.
Located in College Hall, the P1P Office serves as a welcoming space where students can build community, study, attend programs, and connect with peers, faculty, staff, alumni, and campus resources.
Job Summary
Penn First Plus seeks a dedicated Graduate Assistant for the 2025-2026 academic year to support the Office’s scholarly and professional development initiatives. This role offers hands-on experience in program development, student engagement, and resource management.
The ideal candidate is a full-time graduate or professional student at Penn, matriculated by the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. They must be available to work a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 hours per week across the Fall and Spring semesters, in person between 9 AM and 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Occasional weekday evening commitments with advance notice.
Position Length
August 1, 2025 – May 15, 2026 (Start Date Negotiable).
Supervisor/Contact
Enmanuel Martinez - Penn First Plus, Associate Directory, Scholarly and Professional Development
enmar@upenn.edu
Required Duties
Reporting to the P1P Associate Director of Scholarly and Professional Development, the Graduate Assistant will support the planning, execution, and evaluation of programs designed to enhance the academic and professional development of first-generation and limited income (FGLI) undergraduate students at Penn. This role involves event coordination, content creation, student support initiatives, and data management to ensure students have access to essential resources and opportunities.
This role is ideal for someone passionate about student support, success, and program development. In addition to being paid, this position offers the opportunity to enhance your own professional development by honing skills such as: empathy; active listening; building transformational relationships with and between students and campus partners; the use of pedagogical tools; program intervention design; assessment, evaluation, and measurement; and project management.
Key Responsibilities
Student Support Initiatives
- Help manage and expand the P1P Winter Clothing & Professional Attire Opportunity Fund, ensuring students have access to essential resources.
- In consultation with the supervising Associate Director, provide direct support to students seeking guidance on academic and professional development opportunities on- and off-campus.
Resource & Content Development
- Conduct literature reviews and benchmarking to inform the development, assessment, and evaluation of P1P scholarly and professional development programs.
- Develop FGLI-centered reference materials, informational guides, and digital content aligned with students' academic and career development needs.
Program Coordination & Facilitation
- Assist with planning, outreach, and facilitation of P1P scholarly and professional development events in collaboration with designated campus partners.
- Support event data collection, management, analysis, and presentation to improve student engagement and outcomes.
Office Operations
- Staff the P1P Office front desk, respond to inquiries, and create a welcoming space for visitors.
Minimum Qualifications
- Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders and work in a team-oriented environment.
- Strong research, communication (written, verbal, digital), and data management skills.
- Demonstrated success in event planning and/or student support.
- Commitment to supporting FGLI students and understanding their unique needs.
Preferred Qualification and Essential Skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong interest in program development, assessment, and evaluation, with an understanding of project management principles.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Excel, Planner, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Word.
- Familiarity with the range of Penn’s undergraduate academic and support resources.
- Professional interest in higher education leadership and administration.
Application Instructions
Do not email application materials to Penn First Plus. All materials must be submitted through Workday at Penn. Applications sent via email will only be considered if they are also submitted through Workday.
Eligibility: All full-time graduate or professional students at Penn who are matriculated by the start of the 2025–2026 academic year.
Timeline: Candidate screenings will begin after April 15, with the goal of finalizing recruitment by the start of Penn’s Summer Session on May 27. The position runs from August 1, 2025, to May 15, 2026 (start and end dates are negotiable).
To Apply:
Submit the following via Workday at Penn (Job Requisition ID: JR00104644):
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Anticipated schedule and availability for Fall 2025
A PennKey is required to access the Workday Student Employment Opportunities Job Hub: https://pennkeysupport.upenn.edu/
How to Apply in Workday:
- Go to Workday@Penn: https://www.workday.upenn.edu/
- Log into Workday@Penn using your PennKey
- PennKey support: https://pennkeysupport.upenn.edu/
- Click Menu > Jobs Hub
- Click “Read More” under Student Employment Opportunities Available Here
- Use the search bar to find the posting by entering:
- Job Requisition ID: JR00104644, and/or
- Job Title: Graduate Assistant, Scholarly and Professional Development (Academic Year 2025–2026)
- Click Apply to upload your materials.