Location:
Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Penn GSE
Modality:
In-Person
Position Length:
Academic Year (Fall - Spring), Summer
Work Hours and Commitment:
20 hours per week; Working hours must be scheduled Monday – Friday, between 9 AM – 5 PM (EST). GA must work in-office at least four days per week. Attendance at some weekend and evening events is required.
Application Deadline:
Pay Rate:
$23.00/hr
Additional Compensation:
None
Federal Work Study Eligible
Overview
The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at Penn GSE is seeking a Graduate Assistant (GA) to join its team of professionals dedicated to student recruitment, enrollment, and financial aid services. Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, the GA will provide critical support by:
- Supervising one Admissions Ambassador and six Admissions Student Assistants (ASAs).
- Coordinating ASA activities, including campus tours and information sessions.
- Providing high-quality customer service to prospective and current students.
- Offering logistical support for admissions events, leading ASAs, and assisting with local recruitment efforts.
Anticipated Outcomes
The GA will gain hands-on experience in enrollment management best practices and receive foundational training in financial aid administration. This role will provide insight into graduate admissions, event execution for student recruitment and yield initiatives, and collaboration within a dynamic team environment.
Additional Information
- Students on-campus in the summer are encouraged to begin working prior to the fall semester.
- The role offers significant autonomy on most projects.
- The work environment is fast-paced, collaborative, and engaging.
Supervisor/Contact
Jason Cronk - Director, Recruitment & Financial Aid
cronk@upenn.edu
Required Duties
- Manage the prospective student appointments. The GA will be responsible for corresponding with prospective students and program staff to arrange meetings, and campus tours with student ambassadors.
- Assist and host 1-hour Virtual Friday Web Chats every Friday to help answer prospective student questions (Friday hours required each week at either 0900 or 1200) • Provide front desk coverage and respond to email inquiries daily
- Lead the Admissions Ambassador Program – help recruit students to be admissions ambassadors, train students to lead campus tours and answer prospective student’s questions, manage the team during admissions events, and coordinate Penn GSE social media production from Admissions Ambassadors
- Assist in the planning of, and participate in, recruitment activities including Open Houses/Information Sessions (on-campus and virtual) and online chat sessions for prospective students
- Assist in the planning of, and participate in, on-campus and online Preview Days and phone and e-mail communication for accepted students
- Provide general project support for the Admissions staff
- Represent Penn GSE at graduate fairs held at other colleges and universities, if student schedule permits
- Other duties as assigned
Preferred Qualification and Essential Skills
- Must be admitted as a full-time master’s student at Penn GSE.
- Students enrolled in the Higher Education M.S.Ed. program will be given preference.
- Strong public speaking skills required.
- Experience in admissions, student affairs, recruitment, or financial aid is preferred but not required.
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to engage with prospective and current students.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Application Instructions
To be considered for this position, please email a brief cover letter and resume to Jason Cronk, Director of Recruitment & Financial Aid: cronk@upenn.edu. Select candidates will be contact for virtual interview.