How to Apply

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 fit with this GSSA position. Please include your University Department/Program affiliation and year in graduate studies.

Job Summary

Rackham is committed to enhancing the development and training offerings related to diversity, equity, and inclusion for all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows through its DEI Certificate program within Professional Development and Engagement. This program is designed to prepare participants to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusivity. The program cultivates DEI leaders to meaningfully contribute to and lead DEI efforts on campus and in their future workplaces. This position provides program support for the DEI Certificate program and reports to the Sr. Academic Program Manager coordinating the DEI Certificate program. This GSSA position is ideal for scholars that are interested in working with graduate students to expand and apply their knowledge and skills related to DEI.

Appointment Period: Spring-Summer 2025 (This position is for one term with renewal contingent upon completion of performance expectations and available funding through Winter 2026)

Estimated FTE: 50% (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).

Number of applicants from last academic year: 36

Course Description

This program is designed to prepare participants to work in a diverse environment while fostering a climate of inclusivity. The program cultivates DEI leaders to meaningfully contribute to and lead DEI efforts on campus and in their future workplaces. This position provides program support for the DEI Certificate program and reports to the Sr. Academic Program Manager coordinating the DEI Certificate program

Responsibilities*

Duties will include:

Manage participants progress to completion using the Canvas Course Management System.
Draft and send consistent communications to certificate program participants in collaboration with Rackham Communications team and/or Rackham DEI Certificate Program Managers.
Compile DEI training opportunities and offerings on campus
Compile and analyze program evaluation and participant data and draft reports on the program for stakeholders
Respond to the needs of DEI certificate participants via email, Canvas, and Zoom.
Assist with the planning and implementation of DEI student programming, including support of the certificate orientation session and workshops as needed
Assist with facilitation of DEI certificate workshops in-person and on Zoom.
Support DEI-related events, some of which may take place outside regular business hours
Assist in the planning and execution of the final ceremony/celebration
Assist Senior Program Manager with bio book for participants
Collaborate with Rackham Communication team to develop ideas for using video, social media and marketing to connect with students and promote the program
Serve as a liaison for the DEI certificate program and communicate and/or attend meetings with partners
Apply rubric to provide feedback on the diversity statements submitted by program participants to fulfill the certificate capstone assignment
Conduct program progress reports to the DEI Certificate staff upon request
Assist in the facilitation/co-facilitation of workshops and programs for the DEI Certificate program when called upon to do so
Address questions or inquiries emailed to the [email protected] mailbox

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities.

NOTE:NOTE: SOME FLEXIBILITY OF SCHEDULED WORK HOURS IS REQUIRED, INCLUDING EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS ON A PRIOR SCHEDULED BASIS.

Required Qualifications*

Applicants must be currently registered in a Rackham graduate program. Preference will be given to doctoral students who have reached candidacy. Students who are unsure if they are in a Rackham graduate program should check their graduate program listing in http://www.rackham.umich.edu/programs-of-study.

The work described above for this position must be considered academically relevant by the department or degree program in which the student is enrolled.
Strong background knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
Experience with issues in graduate education, student development, and DEI in higher education
An understanding of the challenges faced by underrepresented and marginalized populations in higher education
Ability to handle multiple projects
Ability to collaborate effectively on a team
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through
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 community partners
Ability to work collaboratively or independently, as the task requires
Experience in delivering presentations
Familiarity with technological platforms including Canvas and Google suite

Desired Qualifications*

Knowledge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion concepts

Familiarity and experience with Rackham DEI student programming

Project management experience

Previous experience developing resource materials

Experience using Canvas, Zoom and other web based tools

Experience in designing and maintaining asynchronous courses and modules

How You'll Grow

The GSSA position will strengthen professional competencies in the following areas:

Program development skills, including designing and implementing DEI related professional development programs
Program evaluation skills, including assessment of student development and program outcomes
Understanding of DEI-related scholarship
Best practices in graduate student success
Community-building in higher education environments
Students should be able to present a proposal/paper regarding their experience at a local/regional conference in their field.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to [email protected]. Applicants may request the status of their application from the appointing unit.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Selected candidates may be asked to submit a writing assignment. References will be contacted for finalists.

Kelli Dowd - Sr. Academic Program Manager in Professional Development and Engagement will be leading the search process.

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by May 1, 2025

Selection Process

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by May 1, 2025

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.