Graduate Assistant for Special Projects (GA-SP)

Last Updated: 2025-02-28
Graduate Assistantship

Location:
College Houses & Academic Services, University of Pennsylvania

Modality:
Hybrid

Position Length:
Academic Year (Fall - Spring)

Work Hours and Commitment:
15-20 hours/week; some evenings and weekends will be required (we will work within the academic schedule of the chosen candidate)

Pay Rate:
$20.00/hr

Additional Compensation:
None

Federal Work Study Eligible

Overview

The GA for Special Projects (GA-SP) in College Houses & Academic Services (CHAS) supports the mission of CHAS. CHAS connects the academic life of the University with the residential experience by developing smaller, intimate communities that students call home and from which they can more comfortably navigate the complexities of a large university. CHAS provides academic and personal support and promotes social interaction, engagement, accountability and leadership within a setting that honors the various needs and backgrounds of the population.

This GA position may hold office hours in the CHAS central office, provide residential programming leadership and support, design and facilitate initiatives, and assist with CHAS programs. While there may be some set in-person office hours, there may also be remote work, and the position is flexible. The GA will work directly with the supervisor to map out a schedule.

Supervisor/Contact

Trina Nocerino Sokoloski - Sr Director for Academic and Residential Programming

trinan@upenn.edu

Required Duties

Overview of Responsibilities: This position will focus on implementing and developing engagement opportunities in the areas of wellness, assessment, academics, and community development: 

  1. Support the implementation of College House signature events such as:
    1. College House Music Program
    2. Student Designed Communities support
    3. Living Fair
  2. Collaborate within CHAS, including with marketing, training, and assessment
  3. Collaborate with campus partners such as Housing, Wellness, Campus Recreation
  4. Assist with projects related to RA training and RA selection.
  5. Support one or more program community (themed floor) through planning activities or otherwise assisting House Directors and/or House Faculty with program community projects.
  6. Assist in creating structure for class-based engagements (e.g., First-Year Experience, Second-Year Experience, and Upper-Class Experience)
  7. Act as a member of departmental committees and/or workgroups
  8. Attend 1-on-1 meetings with direct supervisor and larger CHAS meetings/events
  9. Mentor CHAS and House program community student workers
  10. Perform other duties as assigned

Projects in all areas may include promotion of initiatives through in-person interaction with college house residents, including tabling and/or attending or hosting activities.

Preferred Qualification and Essential Skills

  • Interest in student affairs, student development, and working with college students
  • Interest in marketing, assessment, and programming
  • Ability to communicate and interact effectively with a wide-ranging internal and external base of faculty, students, and staff
  • Ability to manage a large-scale event from creation to evaluation
  • Comfortable acting in a leadership and mentoring capacity

Application Instructions

  • Step 1: Please email chas@collegehouses.upenn.edu directly with your resume and cover letter to be considered
  • Step 2: 30-minute Zoom interviews will be conducted with finalists
  • Step 3: Final decisions will be made as soon as possible after completion of interviews*

* NOTE: This position will be open until filled