Graduate Community Building and Program Development Assistant (Student)

American University • Washington, DC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Center for Student Belonging (CSB) is a key unit within the Student Engagement portfolio of the Division of Student Affairs at American University. CSB aims to foster an inclusive, identity-conscious, and belonging-driven campus environment where students can explore their identities, build connections, and develop leadership skills. Graduate Assistants (GAs) are integral to the Center’s mission, assisting in program planning and implementation, supporting students, and contributing to a campus culture that promotes belonging and community engagement. The Community Building and Program Development Graduate Assistant (GA) specifically supports the CSB’s mission to enhance students' academic success, personal growth, and overall well-being through intentional learning experiences. Reporting to the Assistant Director, the GA will help design, implement, and assess initiatives and programs focused on students' intellectual, social, and emotional development, with a particular emphasis on the LGBTQIA+ and Disability+ communities. This part-time role involves collaboration 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 will contribute to programming, facilitate student learning sessions, and help develop resources to empower students in navigating challenges, building resilience, and thriving academically and personally. This work aims to strengthen the Center’s commitment to holistic, equity-minded, student-centered development throughout 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.

Benefits

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
• Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level