Graduate Assistant for Student Engagement

Job Description Summary

Overview of the Department
The Office of Student Programs & Engagement (SP&E) enriches Bentley’s transformative undergraduate learning experience by creating environments and opportunities that facilitate authentic social connections and holistic student development. Our student-centered and values-driven programs, leadership experiences, and services bring students together and prepare them to be change agents at Bentley and beyond. SP&E is comprised of seven full time professional staff and two graduate assistants.
The department is inclusive of campus traditions and programs, fraternity and sorority life, student organization support and advisement, student center program management and operations, student employment, and student governance and activity fee responsibility. The team works collaboratively, both
internally and with other departments within the Division of Student Affairs, to achieve its mission and learning outcomes for students.

Objectives of the Position

The purpose of this position is to support the success of the student organizations and Fraternity & Sorority Life community, and to provide a meaningful preparatory experience for a student enrolled in a higher education/student affairs master’s program. These goals are accomplished through hands-on work with student organizations, a supportive and learning-focused supervisory relationship, and opportunities to work alongside a team of other Student Affairs professionals. Opportunities to apply classroom learning, explore other functional areas, and network within Bentley’s Student Affairs community are intentionally integrated into this experience.
 

Description of Duties
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Student Programs & Engagement, the Graduate Assistant for Student Engagement will provide critical support to student leaders and their organizations, through direct advisement of organization leadership, contributing to the overall leadership experience within student organizations and Fraternity and Sorority Life by providing day to day support of programming, risk management, and compliance, and other initiatives that promote student success.

Fraternity and Sorority Life

• Serve as the primary manager for the Fraternity and Sorority Community Standards Program, which sets consistent expectations and requirements around risk management and compliance for all chapters, while utilizing the CampusGroups platform for data management, tracking, and reporting.
• Support Fraternity and Sorority Life campus events and traditions through advisement of the Greek Activities Council (GAC), providing assistance in program planning and logistics to ensure a balance of high quality engagement, safety, and inclusion.
• Coordinate Fraternity and Sorority recruitment efforts each semester, in conjunction with the Assistant Director, including outreach to all potential new members (PNMs) and tracking their compliance with academic and hazing prevention requirements for participation in recruitment.
• Develop, implement, and assess new and existing educational programming designed to proactively educate students on issues of safety, inclusion, and leadership development based on identified best practices and the changing needs of Bentley’s community.
• Co-facilitate biweekly Presidents Council meetings, co-advise the Inclusion and Belonging Council, participate in annual Presidents Council Retreats, and attend other chapter or council meetings as necessary.

Student Organization Support

• Oversee the annual student organization registration process, ensuring that groups are in compliance with all requirements, including roster management, executive board contact information, and constitution submission.
• Assess the current systems and workflows utilized by SP&E and all student organizations to ensure equity and simplicity of processes, including surveying student leaders and organization members, reviewing policies, and creating solutions.
• Utilize the department’s student organization management platform, CampusGroups, by creating educational and promotional material for users and creating new processes to benefit organization and department initiatives.
• Advise a Class Cabinet in their development and execution of traditional events, advocacy, communication, and goal setting.
• Serve as part of the Student Organization on-call rotation to ensure safety, security, customer service, and assistance to large-scale and high-risk student organization sponsored programs and events.

Departmental Support

• Serve as a student organization advisor in regard to group facilitation, team building, leadership development, membership recruitment and retention, and programming support.
• Assist in the management and enforcement of policies, record-keeping and data, and assessment of departmental learning outcome and strategy achievement.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the department in support of SP&E’s Racial Justice Action Plan and its educational, staff development, and policy related goals.
• Serve as an active and contributing member of the department, which includes attending weekly department staff meetings and staffing select major departmental and divisional programs such as Back2Bentley Weekend, Open House, Spring Day, and the Senior Commencement Ball, as schedule allows and in consultation with the Assistant Director.
• Participate in weekly one-on-one meetings with the Assistant Director of Student Programs & Engagement.
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Student Programs & Engagement.

Qualifications

Successful candidates must be enrolled in a master’s program in higher education/student affairs administration, or related field, during time of employment. Candidates should have a passion for enhancing the student experience through development of student leaders and providing engagement opportunities for students to build community. Successful Graduate Assistants will have the opportunity for renewal for a second year; a two-year commitment is preferred.

Hours

This is a twenty hour per week position, running from the beginning of August through early May each year. Start/end dates for the 2023-2024 academic year will be August 7, 2023 – May 10, 2024. Start/end dates are flexible based on the Graduate Assistant’s schedule and needs of the department. Evening and weekend work and participation in the Student Organization on-call system is required as schedule allows and in consultation with supervisor. Holidays and time off will be available throughout employment.

Compensation

Compensation is $22 per hour, paid on a biweekly basis. Campus parking is provided at no cost. The Graduate Assistant is eligible to receive financial support for professional development opportunities, including conference attendance. The Graduate Assistant will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of on-campus professional development opportunities offered by the Division of Student Affairs.

Office Environment

Due to the nature of this role’s responsibilities and close work with student engagement and events, this position is intended to work in-person. The Graduate Assistant will have a designated desk and workspace located in SP&E’s open office, which allows for easy collaboration and communication. There may be ability to complete some hours of work remotely as the position allows and with approval from the supervisor. Meetings for this role may continue to take place both in-person and virtually. A university laptop will be provided to allow for workplace flexibility.

Location

Bentley University is located about 10 miles from Boston in Waltham, MA. Waltham is on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line, and campus is accessible by local bus. The Graduate Assistant would have access to the Bentley Shuttle, which runs regularly between campus, Waverley Square (Belmont MBTA Bus Station), and Harvard Square (MBTA red line connection). The Graduate Assistant will receive a campus parking pass, at no cost, to park on campus.

COVID-19

Currently, all Bentley University faculty, staff, and students are required to be fully vaccinated including a booster. For more information on this requirement please visit: https://www.bentley.edu/COVID19/vaccination.

Bentley University requires references checks and may conduct other pre-employment screening.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Bentley University strives to create a campus community that welcomes the exchange of ideas, and fosters a culture that values differences and views them as a strength in our community.

Bentley University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, building strength through diversity. The University is committed to building a community of talented students, faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of global business. We strongly encourage applications from persons from underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities, covered veterans and those with diverse experiences and backgrounds.