Title: Housing & Residence Life- Graduate Assistant for Leadership and Programming

Employee Classification: GS - Graduate Student - Stipend

Pay Grade: GS 00

Division: Academic and Student Affairs

Subdivision: Housing Admin

Department: Student Life

Campus Location: Main Campus

General Summary

Under the supervision of the Complex Director for Academic and Leadership Initiatives, the Housing & Residence Life Leadership and Programming Graduate Assistant (LPGA) will primarily work on Housing & Residence Life leadership initiatives. The Leadership and Programming GA will advise the Residence Housing Association and the National Residence Hall Honorary Executive Boards. The LPGA will supervise the Office Manager for Residence Life and provide indirect supervision of the Programming Resource Center Coordinators. The LPGA will assist in the on-call duty rotation, other departmental duties, and annual programs, which may include, but are not limited to, training, recruitment & selection, and other departmental initiatives and committees.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Staff Supervision and Training

• Supervision of the Office Manager for Residence Life and indirect supervision of the Programming Resource Center Coordinators. Conduct weekly individual meetings with the Office Manager to develop and review goals/outcomes achieved, discuss issues, recognize contributions, and provide and solicit feedback.

  • Attend monthly staff meetings organized by the Office Manager for the Programming Resource Center staff to aid and support the team in their work.

• Assess and facilitate the resolution of staff personnel issues in coordination with the supervisor, including interpersonal conflicts and any necessary disciplinary action.

• Attend all departmental and building training sessions and workshops, as required.  This includes presenting to the professional, graduate, and Student Staff as a whole.

• Work with the supervisor to create and implement ongoing training/development according to staff needs.

• Assist with the coordination of new and returning Student Staff selection (for both mid-year and fall hires).

• Conduct a formal evaluation of Student Staff at the end of each semester. 

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the department.

Residence Housing Association/National Residence Hall Honorary 

• Serve as primary advisor for Residence Housing Association (RHA) Executive Board. 

• Conduct weekly individual meetings with the RHA President and monthly meetings with the remaining members of the RHA Executive Board to develop and review goals/outcomes achieved, discuss issues, recognize contributions, and provide and solicit feedback.

• Attend all RHA General Assembly meetings and Executive Board meetings.

• Attend all RHA student conferences as advisor

• Assess RHA and RHA events each academic year 

• Travel as an advisor for relevant student leadership conferences 

Community Programming 

• Aid in the coordination of RHA and NRHH programming efforts.

• Encourage RHA and NRHH in planning and developing programs to meet the diverse needs of the on-campus community.

• Attend all RHA and NRHH programs. 

• Make programming purchases (which may include shopping with RHA and NRHH members).

• Manage the RHA and NRHH budgets along with the Vice President for Finance, including maintaining a spreadsheet/database and turning in receipts.

Administration

• Work (20) hours per week, including (12) office hours per week. Office Hours will be determined by you and your direct supervisor. During office hours, you may schedule meetings with students. Missed office hours must be made up. Make-up office hours should be scheduled with your supervisor upon your return to work. 

• Prepare end-of-year and transition reports at the end of the Winter Semester.

Crisis Intervention

• Participate in a graduate staff duty rotation for the residential area on all days that the residential facilities are open, with the exceptions listed below. Stay within a fifteen (15) minute radius of campus while on duty.

• Respond to crises and emergency situations using departmental protocol, which includes in-person response and providing guidance to Student Staff and students.

• Provide appropriate post-crisis referrals and follow-up with students and staff.

Maintenance and Operations

• Report on-going facility and safety/security needs.

• Work cooperatively with Physical Plant staff to identify and coordinate staff response to maintenance concerns.

• Keep control at all times over all University-issued items, such as keys and staff IDs.

Counseling/Helping/Conflict Management

• Serve as a resource and referral agent for students and staff with a focus on student success.

Departmental Involvement

• Participate in at least one departmental committee.

  • Actively participate in committee meetings

  • Actively participate in committee projects

  • Contribute to upholding the charge of your committee

  • Actively contribute to the achievement of committee goals 

• Attend various departmental meetings on a weekly/biweekly basis, including, but not limited to: 

  • Housing & Residence Life Department meeting (two hours weekly) 
  • Meeting with supervisor (one hour weekly) 
  • Executive Board meetings (two hours weekly)
  • PRCC staff member one-on-one meeting (one hour weekly)
  • RHA & NRHH Student one-on-one meetings (two to five hours weekly)
  • Committee Meeting (one and a half hours weekly, plus outside assignments)

• Attend and participate in all departmental, graduate, and Student Staff trainings.

• Assist with professional staff selection as requested by the department. 

• Collaborate with other departmental and university offices such as EMUPD, Wellness Center, Student Life, Diversity and Community Involvement, Physical Plant, and Athletics.

• Represent the department at various functions such as Division of Student Affairs training and events, Opening and Closing Banquets, Student Staff In-Service training, RHA and NRHH events, and other events as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have attained a bachelor’s degree before the first day of appointment.

• Must be enrolled in the Higher Education and Student Affairs graduate program or a related program at Eastern Michigan University.

• Must maintain a semester and  cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.0 each semester during the dates of appointment

• Must maintain full-time status and carry a minimum of six (6) credit hours per semester unless otherwise permitted by the Graduate School.

  • Must be a full-time, degree-admitted graduate student at Eastern Michigan University in the Higher Education Student Affairs program or a related program

• Maintain good standing with the Department of Housing & Residence Life as well as academic, conduct, and financial good standing within the University.

• Be available for the position for the full academic year.

• Demonstrated strong undergraduate academic performance. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prior experience in Residence Hall Association (RHA), National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), or other residence hall student leadership roles.

Special Instructions:

The start date for this position is August 3, 2026. The successful candidate will be expected to arrive on campus and move into their assigned hall July 31, 2026 - August 2, 2026. Candidates should be currently admitted to a graduate program at Eastern Michigan University. Under the supervision of the Complex Director for Academic and Leadership Initiatives, the Housing & Residence Life Leadership and Programming Graduate Assistant (LPGA) will primarily work on Housing & Residence Life leadership initiatives. The Leadership and Programming GA will advise the Residence Housing Association and the National Residence Hall Honorary Executive Boards. The LPGA will supervise the Office Manager for Residence Life and provide indirect supervision of the Programming Resource Center Coordinators. The LPGA will assist in the on-call duty rotation, other departmental duties, and annual programs, which may include, but are not limited to, training, recruitment & selection, and other departmental initiatives and committees.

Stipend and Benefits:
The stipend includes a tuition waiver for nine credit hours for the fall and winter semesters and a $ 9,000 academic year stipend. A furnished apartment or suite, meal plan during the term of employment.
This position is for the entire academic year

All graduate assistantships are offered under the guidelines of the EMU Graduate School. Those hired by Housing and Residence Life (HRL) are subject to all rules and protocols as determined by the graduate school, in addition to any work rules for HRL. Those hired are responsible for knowing and following these guidelines. Link to Graduate School Website
https://www.emich.edu/graduate/scholarships-aid/graduate-assistantships/index.php

Appointment Percentage:

100%