Location:
Office of Student Engagement, Swarthmore College
Modality:
In-Person
Position Length:
Academic Year (Fall - Spring)
Work Hours and Commitment:
15 hours a week with some weekend and evening hours required
Pay Rate:
$0.00/hr
Additional Compensation:
Housing, Meal Plan, Transit Pass
Overview
Graduate Assistant for Student Activities and Leadership at Swarthmore College collaborates with students, faculty, and staff in developing extracurricular experiences that foster a sense of community and opportunities for the personal growth of community members. As a member of the Office of Student Engagement, the Graduate Assistant commits to developing student leaders that are ready to engage in a diverse, global world.
The Office of Student Engagement will host up to two (2) Graduate Assistants for the 2026-2027 academic year. Depending on applicants and need, the Graduate Assistants will take on one of two foci for the year. One Graduate Assistant will primarily focus on supporting the Orientation and First Year Experience program. This includes co-supervising the First Year Experience peer mentors, as well as supporting the curriculum development and leadership components of the peer mentor program. The other will primarily focus on building a leadership model. This includes building support general leadership skills based programs as well as supporting the Assistant Director of Student Activities in their club leader program.
Reporting to the Director of Student Activities, the Graduate Assistant position requires approximately 15 hours per week with some evening and weekend hours required.
Supervisor/Contact
Rebecca Weintraub-Barth - Director of Student Activities and Leadership
rweintr1@swarthmore.edu
Required Duties
Duties and Responsibilities –
First Year Experience Support (40% of applicants time, on average, per week)
- Assist in the creation and implementation of First Year Experience co-curricular programming
- Serve as a co-supervisor for 20-25 FYE peer mentors
- Assist in the development and facilitation of student trainings for FYE peer mentors
- Research best practices for a FYE program at comparable institutions
- Provide support of the Director of Student Activities in planning for Summer Orientation
OR
Leadership programming (40% of applicants time, on average, per week)
- Assist in the creation and implementation of a leadership development program open to all students on campus
- Research best practices for leadership programs with comparable institutions
- Assess and improve current offerings
- Provide support of the Assistant Director of Student Activities in their club leadership trainings
Event Planning (35% of applicants time, on average, per week)
- Assist in the creation and implementation of large scale events in the hopes of creating new traditions in campus programs
- Staffing occasional night and weekend events
- Provide support for various departmental functions and events.
Office Support (25% of applicants time, on average, per week)
- Assist in the social media branding of the Office of Student Engagement
- Provide support for various departmental functions and events.
- Communicate appropriately, effectively, and in a timely manner with all College constituencies.
- Assume other responsibilities assigned by the Director of Student Activities.
Preferred Qualification and Essential Skills
Qualifications -
The ideal candidate for the Graduate Assistant of Student Activities will possess:
- A Bachelor’s degree is required.
- Experience with a small liberal arts institution is preferred.
- Experience with event planning and student organizations, significant leadership experience and graduate program acceptance (Higher Education & Student Affairs or related program preferred).
- Effective interpersonal skills, ability to work with diverse groups of students, and knowledge of student learning and development are also preferred.
- Candidates must be able to stand for long periods of time and must be able to lift and transport up to 35 pounds.
Considerations:
International students must be authorized to work in the U.S. in an off campus position. Check with your graduate and international student office to verify eligibility. Students outside of Penn’s Graduate School of Education may not be eligible.
Application Instructions
Up to two positions available. Please email your expressed interest to Rebecca Weintraub-Barth, Director of Student Activities and Leadership (rweintr1@swarthmore.edu)