Graduate Program Assistant (GPA)

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General purpose: Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs) support their Program Director to ensure the effective operation of their program. GPAs serve as graduate student leaders and work collaboratively with each other and the Office of Graduate Studies to promote dialogue, the exchange of information, cultivate community within the program and maintain timely communications between students, directors, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

GPA positions are available beginning the Fall semester in each academic year. GPAs are expected to commit to at least one academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). 

Summary of Essential Functions 

• Graduate Program Assistants support the day-to-day operations of graduate academic programs and help ensure a smooth experience for students, faculty, and program leadership. Responsibilities often include assistance with administrative coordination, student support, communication management, and program logistics.

• As student leaders in the graduate community, GPAs are required to uphold graduate policies, procedures and standards. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Provide front desk and general office support for the graduate program office

• Greet students, faculty, and visitors and respond to general questions in a professional manner

• Assist with answering phones, monitoring email inboxes, and routing inquiries appropriately

• Help maintain files and program records with accuracy and discretion

• Support Program Director with an annual series of programmatic activities including lectures, dinners, and hosting visiting artists and critics on campus and remotely. 

• Support graduate admissions activities and events, including organizing application materials, scheduling interviews or visits

• Assist with orientation preparation for new graduate students

• Help coordinate graduate student events, workshops, information sessions, and program meetings

• Prepare materials for faculty meetings, student events, and program presentations

• Assist with updating graduate program handbooks, bulletin boards, and departmental communications

• Support data entry, spreadsheet tracking, and report preparation

• Help monitor office supplies and submit basic purchasing requests as needed

• Monitor equipment, shared spaces and other resources to ensure they are being used, cleaned, and shared in a responsible way; report any issues to the Program Director and/or Office of Graduate Studies.

• Assist with social media updates, newsletters, or website content for graduate program communications

• Support special projects assigned by the Graduate Program Director or department staff

• Attend GPA Training, Graduate Student Orientation (2nd years only), SVA Graduate Student Council Meetings and Town Halls, and regular check-in meetings with the Office of Graduate Studies as needed.

• Communicate important information from the Program Director and Office of Graduate Studies to students.

• Support the organization of program specific calendars, meetings and schedules.

• Report technical, audio visual and operational issues to the appropriate campus partners and work with the Office of Graduate Studies to address ongoing concerns and issues.

• Report student and programmatic issues and concerns to the Program Director.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• GPAs will communicate clearly and courteously and respond quickly, maintaining sensitivity to the needs and cultures of individual graduate programs.

• GPAs will have a strong work ethic and must be prompt, focused, self-motivated, flexible. 

• Must respond well to feedback and work towards a stress-free environment. 

• GPAs will be able to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality at all times

• Demonstrate strong customer service and communication skills

• Be dependable, organized, and detail-oriented

• Manage responsibilities while balancing academic commitments

• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and fellow students

• Follow institutional policies and student employment expectations

Minimum qualifications: 

• Current enrollment in a Graduate Studies MA or MFA program at MICA.

Student Performance Policy

The Office of Graduate Studies and Program Directors evaluate individual performance and attendance at required GPA events throughout the semester. Continuation in the GPA Program requires your consistent adherence to the roles and responsibilities listed above. The Office of Graduate Studies expects GPAs to participate in all required events and activities. Inconsistent participation can lead to dismissal from the GPA Program. If you are dismissed from your role as a GPA, your status as a student in your graduate program will not be affected. 

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to fifteen (15) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

• Required training: GPA training and orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment. 

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.