DEI GSSA - School of Kinesiology

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How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials in one combined document (applicants who do not meet the stated requirements will not be considered):

• A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume. The letter should address your specific interest in and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. Please include your University affiliation and year in graduate studies.
• Current resume.
• Contact information (email and phone) for three to five professional references.
• A letter or e-mail from the Kinesiology Graduate Manager, Charlene Ruloff ([email protected]), confirming that you have been admitted into a UM graduate academic program, you are not on fellowship support, and you are approved for a 50% appointment.  PLEASE NOTE: this letter may be submitted separately to Dr. Ketra Armstrong at [email protected]

Summary

The University of Michigan, School of Kinesiology is seeking one (1) 50% (0.50 FTE; approximately 20 hours/week) Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) to work with the Director and Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to assist with the implementation of the School's student-centered DEI initiatives.

Appointment Period: Fall 2024 and Winter 2025

Estimated FTE: 50% (approximately 20 hours per week)

Compensation:  This appointment provides tuition, required fees, stipend (at the GEO negotiated GSSA monthly rate), GradCare health insurance and dental insurance (Option 1).

Course Description

Please note, the nature of this role is not related to a specific course.

Responsibilities*

The Kinesiology DEI GSSA will report to the Kinesiology Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).  The individual will be actively involved in the promotion of DEI and inclusive excellence in graduate education by assisting the school's Director and Manager of DEI and other constituents in Kinesiology with two broad areas of the Kinesiology DEI Plan:

Graduate Student DEI Initiatives.  The DEI GSSA will assist with the leadership, development, promotion, and delivery of the following:

• Kinesiology Graduate Student Bridge Program:  This program consists of students from communities that are underrepresented in Kinesiology and includes a week-long orientation featuring a panel presentation, campus tours, and team-building activities. It also includes various "touch-point" activities throughout the year to facilitate the connections and sense of community students need to thrive during the graduate education process.
• Kinesiology (Student) Diversity and Inclusion Network (KDIN): This is Kinesiology's student DEI network and it offers a variety of student-focused DEI programs, activities, and events throughout the year.

Graduate Student Recruitment. The DEI GSSA will assist with on and off-campus recruitment endeavors to students from underrepresented populations, identities, and communities. This may include traveling to recruitment fairs, communications to identify prospective graduate students, and arranging for on-campus visits (transportation, lodging, meals, entertainment, and meetings with Kinesiology faculty, staff, and students). 

Additional Responsibilities:  In addition to the responsibilities for graduate student DEI initiatives and graduate student recruitment, as listed previously, the DEI GSSA will also be responsible for the following:

• Participating in the School of Kinesiology's DEI events
• Assisting with the development of student-centered DEI programs, events, and activities (including identifying presenters, public relations/marketing and session facilitation).
• Creating materials (agendas, handouts, etc.) for student DEI workshops, programs, and events.
• Establishing and managing an active social media presence for student DEI events.
• Assisting with the creation and dissemination of a student-focused DEI newsletter.
• Disseminating a variety of written communications (emails, documents, web content, reports, posts for social media outlets);
• Assisting with the gathering, analyses, and dissemination of student-focused DEI data.
• Working with DEI Director, DEI Manager, and other Kinesiology constituents on student DEI program/event logistics (rooms, food, materials, etc.).
• Coordinating communications with students about DEI programs.
• Leading and facilitating meetings of students related to Kinesiology's DEI programs.
• Interacting with students at Kinesiology's DEI events.
• Developing and updating DEI resource materials for students.
• Synthesizing student-focused information for DEI reports.
• Maintaining filing systems and documentation (budget, attendee lists, etc.) of student DEI programs.
• Performing related office work such as data entry, data management, photocopying, mass mailings, and responding to email.

Required Qualifications*

• Applicants must be currently registered in a graduate program at U-M. Preference will be given to students who have a keen understanding of Kinesiology and it sub-disciplines of Applied Exercise Science, Athletic Training, Movement Science, and Sport Management.
• The work described for this position must be considered academically relevant by the unit/department or degree program in which the student is enrolled.
• Familiarity and experience with the School of Kinesiology's DEI programs.
• Workshop and/or event planning and facilitation experience.
• Prior experience working with diverse student populations.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to prioritize, work under pressure to meet deadlines, attention to detail, and thorough and reliable follow through while handling multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to collaborate in a teamed-staffing approach on various efforts.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work and communicate effectively and professionally with the University community as well as external constituents.
• Ability to work collaboratively or independently, as the task requires.
• Ability to work, problem solve, and make decisions with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated competency with modern computer productivity tools including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation programs.
• NOTE: some flexibility of scheduled work hours is required, including evenings or weekends on a previously scheduled basis.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with issues in graduate education, student development, leadership development, and diversity issues in higher education.
• An understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented populations in higher education.
• Project management experience.
• Previous experience developing resource materials.
• Skills in graphic design, photography, video production, and competence with social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).
• Basic data analysis and familiarity with Qualtrics

Contact Information

 Contact Information:  Questions regarding this position may be emailed to Dr. Ketra Armstrong, the Kinesiology Director of DEI at the following email address: [email protected]

Decision Making Process

Dr. Ketra Armstrong will assess how each candidate application meets the required and desired qualifications.  This assessment will determine the interview and selection process for this role. Feedback from reference checks will be given consideration in selection of the final candidate.

Selection Process

• Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for finalists.
• Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by July 31, 2024.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.