We are pleased that you are considering graduate assistantship opportunities within the Student Life Office of Eastern Illinois University. We are committed to "Helping Students Make Things Happen" through strong student development programs and our commitment to developing emerging professionals for their chosen career or profession.

The Student Life Office enables graduate assistants to acquire hands-on experience in a diverse range of programming areas. Students gain a great deal from integrating their classroom learning with the practical experiences they gain in their assistantship. Student Life Office graduate assistants not only play a key role in advising students, they also make significant contributions in the life of our campus community.

We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to consider becoming a member of the Student Life Team!

Graduate Assistantship Description

As a member of the Student Life staff, graduate assistants work closely with the professional staff in developing meaningful experiences that complement personal, academic, and professional goals in the graduate program. The Student Life graduate assistant experience offers experiential learning opportunities in a supportive environment: student advisement, contract negotiations, decision-making, event planning, and program evaluation. Graduate assistant duties and responsibilities include WORKING a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week with extensive evening and weekend commitment, and ASSISTING with:

• Research, administrative functions and tasks associated with the SLO
• University Board (UB) through advising, contract negotiations, event supervision and training
• Multicultural services and programs in coordination of LASO, DAC, BSU, LEAD
• Student Government with advisement and major program development
• Major University events such as Back to School, First Night, Homecoming, Family Weekend, Concerts and Spring Fling
• Support services and programs for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) and Advisors
• Coordination of community service & Student Volunteerism initiatives
• Development and coordination of iLEAD leadership support services and workshops

More on the Graduate Assistantship Position...

Candidate Qualifications

• Must have earned Bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA
• Must have ability to matriculate into Master’s degree program within the university
• Must be admitted to Graduate School and admitted into a Master's degree program
• Graduate Assistantship offers are contingent upon acceptance into the Graduate School
• Must participate in Student Life Office interview and selection process
• Previous experience with student life programs; event programming, leadership development and/or service learning is desired

Graduate Study

Student Life Graduate Assistants are enrolled in a variety of disciplines. Eastern offers twenty-six (26) Master and two (2) Specialist degree programs. One program that is designed for students pursuing careers in the Student Affairs profession is College Student Affairs (CSA). The department of Counseling and Student Development offers a 48-hour Master of Science in Education.

Benefits

Four Graduate Assistantship positions are offered in the Student Life Office: three 2-year assistantship positions and one 1-year assistantship.

Stipend: $7,200 per 9-month contract ($800 per month)
Contract: 9-month position from August 1 – April 30. Contract is renewable for up to 2 years. Time-off for Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks.
Meals: A $400 Dining Dollars meal plan is provided each semester.
Tuition Waiver: 9-16 hours of Graduate tuition are waived each semester. Graduate Assistants must enroll in minimum of 9 hours each semester (3 hrs. in the summer) and maintain a 3.0 semester cumulative GPA. Graduate assistants may be eligible for state and federal aid programs. Graduate Assistants may apply for Summer tuition waivers.
Professional Development Grant: Active membership in professional associations is encouraged. Graduate Assistants volunteer as conference staff and presenters at regional/national conferences such as: American College Personnel Association (ACPA), Association of College Unions International (ACUI), National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) and National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). A $100 departmental Professional Development Grant is awarded to Graduate Assistants to be applied to annual membership in a professional association.
Conference Attendance: Attendance at the NACA Mid-America Regional Conference and National Convention are optional for graduate assistants. All expenses are covered for attendance (i.e., travel, registration, lodging and meals).

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