The Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities (FYP&LC) supports Graduate Assistant (GA) positions to provide undergraduate enrichment and administrative support for interdisciplinary Learning Communities. LC GAs serve under the direction of a Faculty Director and in collaboration with the Office of First Year Programs & Learning Communities as part of a support team that works to build community and ensures each student gets the most out of their experience.

Learning Communities are a proven pedagogy that can provide intentionality and integration amongst undergraduate students’ curricular, co-curricular, and residential experiences. They become a foundation for a creative and holistic approach to Life-Transformative Education. They help first-year students in their transition to college and encourage all students to become engaged on campus and find meaningful pathways; they enable students to have regular one-on-one or small group interactions with faculty, advisors, staff, GAs, and peer mentors; they emphasize undergraduate research and experiential learning, and they develop intentionality and interdisciplinary habits of mind that encourage students to become life-long learners. Each LC has unique attributes and traditions based on its theme.

 We anticipate positions in the following communities. Please indicate your top choice. If your qualifications make you a good fit for a second community, please indicate that as well. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. 

• Global House – an interdisciplinary Learning Community open to all majors that serves half domestic, half international students (including some international exchange students). Community building courses and activities are designed to enhance students’ global awareness and perspectives while strengthening cultural identities. Preferred candidates will be international students and/or students with international experience.

• Innovation House – an interdisciplinary Learning Community open to all majors that engages students in courses and activities designed to encourage thinking and acting innovatively to solve real-world problems. Preferred candidates will have a background in making, creating, innovation, and/or entrepreneurship.

• Public Health House – an interdisciplinary Learning Community open to all majors that engages students in courses and service-learning activities designed to support students in their identity development while exploring issues related to community health. Preferred candidates will have a background or interest in coaching or mentoring with an interest in community health education, advocacy, and/or health-related fields.

• WiMSE House (Women in Math, Science & Engineering) – a Learning Community that engages women pursuing STEM majors, building their confidence and competence so they persist in STEM and go on to be leaders in their chosen field. Preferred candidates are those studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, particularly in disciplines underrepresented by women at the University of Connecticut.

Essential Duties:

1. Support the Faculty Director’s vision and develop positive relationships with the LC leadership team, LC partners, and student members
2. Plan, implement, manage, and evaluate Learning Community events, activities, and field trips, including all related procedures, budgeting, scheduling, marketing, and recruitment, including developing ways to introduce and engage students in using the Learning Community Innovation Zone (LCIZ) makerspace; assuming greater responsibility until LC students become proficient in programming and organizational skills
3. May co-instruct, instruct, and/or support credit-bearing FYE (First-Year Experience, UNIV 1810), service-learning (UNIV 1840), and/or sophomore courses (UNIV 3820); assist in the development of curriculum; plan and implement class activities; supervise group projects, and assess student learning
4. Required to hold office hours weekly throughout the Fall and Spring semesters within the Learning Community’s Residence Hall; mentor and advise every student member utilizing individual and group strategies
5. Provide advisement to Learning Community student leaders/committees; set individual and group performance standards; manage work-flow; evaluate individual and group performance, and provide regular oversight and feedback
6. Assist in the development of Learning Community marketing and public relations efforts; ensure that all print and electronic materials are professional in appearance, current, and accurate; organize and deliver individual and group presentations; write articles for university and/or program newsletters, blogs, websites, etc.
7. Act as a liaison between the Learning Community, key students, faculty, and staff stakeholders from across the university; send periodic newsletter and/or updates, coordinate meetings as needed, and give public presentations as needed
8. Connect students with relevant faculty, programs, events, and opportunities occurring across campus relevant to the theme of the LC or individual student interests; encourage engagement and student professional and personal development
9. Communicate regularly with LC Faculty Director and staff in the Office of First-Year Program and Learning Communities
10. Required to attend bi-annual LC Team Planning meetings, other required meetings, as well as key LC events throughout the year; and to ensure that individual Learning Community activities do not conflict with LC-wide activities
11. Prepare a report on responsibilities completed in position at the end of each semester and prepare, or contribute to, the Learning Community Annual Report submitted to FYP&LC at end of the academic year
12. Complete other duties as assigned

Commitment: 10 or 20 hours per week, depending on position; schedule will vary based on availability and programmatic needs. Weekend and evening hours are required in order to lead or attend related courses, events, and activities.

Qualifications: Strong written and verbal communication; demonstrated mentoring experience; strong organization, leadership, and programming skills; commitment to creativity and innovation; ability to use Microsoft Office programs; and must be actively enrolled in appropriate graduate program at UConn. Graduate Assistantships are 1-year appointments with no guarantee of re-appointment the following year. Dates of appointment follow university guidelines for graduate assistant positions and require work beyond the end of each semester. It is important to plan accordingly to fulfill this obligation.

Preferred Qualifications: ≥1-year experience supervising or mentoring college students; experience with event coordination/event management; related professional experience; enrollment in a related UConn PhD program; teaching experience

Application Process: Interested candidates should send a letter of interest; resume/CV; and names and contact information for three professional references to: Sara Dahlen, Program Assistant, Learning Community Program, Office of First-Year Programs & Learning Communities at Sara.Dahlen@uconn.edu. Indicate which LC GA position you are interested in and why. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. The initial review will begin on May 3, 2021. The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.

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