Graduate Community Building and Program Development Assistant (Student)

American University•Washington, DC

1d•$19•Onsite

About The Position

The Center for Student Belonging (CSB) is one of the key units within the Student Engagement portfolio of the Division of Student Affairs. CSB fosters an inclusive, identity-conscious, and belonging driven campus environment where students can explore their identities, build connections, and develop leadership skills. Graduate Assistants are central to the Center’s mission, helping to plan and implement programs, support students, and contribute to a campus culture that promotes belonging and community engagement. The Community Building and Program Development Graduate Assistant (GA) advances the CSB’s mission to support students’ academic success, personal growth, and overall well-being through intentional learning experiences. Reporting to the Assistant Director, the GA helps design, implement, and assess initiatives and programs that promote students’ intellectual, social, and emotional development with a specific focus on the LGBTQIA+ and Disability+ communities. In this part-time role, the GA collaborates with CSB staff, faculty and staff partners, and students to support workshops, reflection-based learning activities, skill-building programs, and wellness-focused initiatives. The GA contributes to programming, facilitates student learning sessions, and helps develop resources that empower students to navigate challenges, build resilience, and thrive both inside and outside the classroom. Through this work, the GA strengthens the Center’s commitment to holistic, equity-minded, student-centered development across the academic year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Enrollment in AU’s School of Education graduate programs.
Experience in student programming and/or leadership development.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing or leading large-scale student programs.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Ability to adapt to a fast-paced and changing environment.
Experience working effectively with diverse constituencies.
Collaborative work style and team orientation.

Responsibilities

Facilitate holistic student development programs.
Plan and implement workshops, dialogues, interactive programs and activities that support personal growth, leadership skills, and student identity exploration.
Support large scale center events (e.g., Connection Socials, National Coming Out Day, Women's History Month).
Provide direct support and mentorship to students.
Meet with students individually and/or in small groups to provide guidance on navigating academic, social, and leadership challenges.
Support students in reflecting on experiences, setting goals, and developing skills for success.
Collaborate with student leaders to enhance engagement.
Partner with student organizations and peer programs to design initiatives that promote belonging and community connection.
Coordinate program logistics and on-site support.
Assist in the planning and execution of Center events and initiatives, ensuring seamless operation and an inclusive environment.
Support CSB and Student Engagement programs by staffing daytime, late night and weekend programs as needed.
Supervise and support student assistants or volunteers contributing to programs.
Conduct assessment and evaluation of learning outcomes.
Create surveys via Qualtrics; Gather qualitative and quantitative data from participants to assess impact on student development and engagement.
Summarize findings in reports, presentations, or visual dashboards to inform program improvement.
Support communications and visibility for learning initiatives.
Develop content for newsletters, social media, and other communications to highlight programs.
Collaborate with staff to increase awareness and participation in CSB programs.
Maintain resources and materials for learning programs.
Organize and track supplies, equipment, and instructional materials to ensure readiness for all workshops and events.