University Writing Center Graduate Assistantships - Outreach Specialist & Collab

Working Title: University Writing Center Graduate Assistantships - Outreach Specialist & Collaborative Writing Specialist

State Role Title:N/A

Position Type:Graduate Assistant

Position Status: Part-Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt: Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: Student Academic Success

Department: 100546 - Learning Centers

Pay Rate:Other

Is this a JMU only position?N/A

Is this a grant-funded position?No

Beginning Review Date:March 24 2025

About JMU:

Located in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff.

General Information:

The University Writing Center (UWC), one of the Learning Centers programs, is an academic support resource that assists JMU students, faculty, and staff on their writing through appointment-based consultations, course workshops, and online resources. Graduate Assistants work up to 20 hours per week with the following being the expected breakdown: 10 weekly hours of writing consultation, 5 weekly hours of center administration/work on a self-directed project, and 5 weekly hours allotted for meetings and email correspondence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

UWC Graduate Assistants will work directly with JMU students, faculty, and staff as peer educators on the consulting schedule, and they will comprise the Leadership Team that oversees the center’s daily operations and strategic planning. Graduate Assistants will decide upon specific projects with their UWC faculty supervisors; their additional associated responsibilities might include conducting and/or presenting research for the UWC, mentoring undergraduate consultants, and facilitating workshops in classrooms.

The UWC is searching for two graduate assistants with the following specific roles (Please specify in your cover letter which position best aligns with your goals and experience!):

1. Graduate Assistant - Outreach Specialist: This role will work on initiatives to promote and support the teaching of writing across campus, conduct introductory presentations of writing center services in courses, develop and lead discipline-specific course workshops, and assist in the promotion of outreach efforts, such as through social media.
2. Graduate Assistant - Collaborative Writing Specialist: This role will work on initiatives to develop communities of support for writers and support collaborative writing projects, develop training or resources for collaborative research writing projects, organize or facilitate writing groups, and develop resources or events related to community building.

Both roles will work closely with UWC faculty to define projects and responsibilities and will have other additional opportunities.

Qualifications:

The UWC is interested in a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds. Candidates should:

• Have interest and/or experience in tutoring, teaching, and/or mentorship.
• Have interest in working with a collaborative, innovative, and enthusiastic team.
• Have outstanding interpersonal, communication, and writing skills.
• Be responsible, proactive, and have excellent problem-solving and task management skills.
• Have interest and/or experience with writing conventions in their discipline and across the curriculum.

Additional Posting Information:

Applications will begin to be reviewed on March 24th. Positions will remain open until filled and applications submitted after the 24th may still be considered pending applicant pool. Interviews will be conducted in late March-Early April.

Conditions of Employment:

Students may apply to a graduate assistantship prior to being accepted into a graduate program. However, to be eligible to receive an assistantship upon entry into a graduate program, the following criteria must be met:

• The student must be conditionally or unconditionally accepted into a graduate program.
• The students must have an official transcript on file indicating completion of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution or agency.
• After receiving an assistantship, the student must maintain at least a 3.0 graduate GPA in order to retain or reapply for the assistantship.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color