Graduate Assistant-Hourly

Position OverviewUnit Overview

KU’s Wingspan: Center for Learning and Writing Support offers a portfolio of collaborative, innovative academic support programs and services to students, faculty, and staff. The Wingspan provides individual and group support through its Peer Academic Coaching program, Supplemental Instruction (SI) program, Learning and Tutoring Services, and Writing Center Services. The Wingspan is a part of the University Academic Support Centers (UASC), a comprehensive student support program consisting of two unique centers designed to strengthen the academic skills and written communication of students at the University of Kansas. UASC supports the University’s commitment to the academic success and holistic development of students. UASC programs encourage student participation both in and out of the classroom, support academic and personal development, and link students to other campus and community resources for academic and personal support and development. University Academic Support Centers is a department within Academic Affairs.

Position Overview

Writing Center Services Graduate Assistants act as Graduate Writing Consultants and student leaders in the Center. Graduate Writing Consultants are peer educators who meet one-on-one with students to discuss writing projects in a variety of disciplines and genres. Graduate Writing Consultants encourage student success and independence by collaborating with writers at any point in the writing process; teaching strategies for researching, drafting, organizing, revising, and editing; and directing writers to resources online and across campus. They also support other Writing Center Services programming, like workshops and writing groups, Fridays on Fourth, the Thesis/Dissertation Accelerator, and help to create a Campus Community where all Jayhawks thrive. Graduate Assistants serve as part of the Writing Center Services administrative team, providing administrative support to program managers where needed.

As a Graduate Assistant position, Graduate Writing Consulting furthers the course work, research, academic and professional development of any graduate program. Writing Center work teaches transferable skills in composition and clear communication that enhance our Consultants’ own skills and supports time to degree. Feedback is evidence of teaching, as by providing feedback to students, our consultants demonstrate their teaching effectiveness, their tone and compassion towards students, and who they are as an instructor. Writing Center work also invites opportunities for service and connection with various offices on campus and communities in Lawrence and draws upon the training and expertise of post-baccalaureate students. Through this Graduate Assistant position, graduate students will experience essential learning and development that will make them marketable on both the academic and non-academic job markets.

Multilingual consultants may provide speaking and writing support in two or more languages as appropriate. Consultants are required to work in-person on the Lawrence campus.

Please note if you have another campus job: Per State of Kansas Law, student employees may not hold an exempt and a non-exempt employment position at the same time at the university. This position you are applying for is a non-exempt position. You are highly encouraged to contact KU's Human Resources Team at hrtransactions@ku.edu if you are unsure if your other on campus job is considered exempt or non-exempt. Job DescriptionIn general, these positions will be for .5 FTE (20 hours/week) of writing support and program development. Graduate students in these positions will receive 18 hours of tuition assistance for the full academic year.

The Job Description Includes But Is Not Limited To

• 40% - Foster student learning and literacy development by asking questions, collaborating with writers during consultations, and teaching important writing strategies and concepts.
• 30% - Facilitate group instruction through community-based services like writing workshops, graduate writing groups, Thesis/Dissertation Accelerators, write-ins, and more.
• 20% - Participate in committees and special projects, bringing your ideas, interests, and skills to expand the collective knowledge and abilities of the Writing Center.
• 10% - Participate in pre-service training, ongoing education, and professional development for post-baccalaureate students.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Graduate student of good academic standing at KU, enrolled in at least 6 credit hours or full-time status (1 dissertation/thesis credit hour for qualifying students).
• Excellent written communication skills as evidenced in application materials.
• As demonstrated in application materials, a commitment to the improvement of one’s own writing and professional development as a writing consultant.
• Meets KBOR-mandated English proficiency requirements, if applicable.
• Completion of undergraduate coursework with Writing in the Disciplines, English Rhetoric/Composition.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of graduate coursework in your field as evidenced by writing sample.
• Previous experience in education such as prior work as a Writing Consultant/tutor, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, or other related experience.
• Federal Work-Study eligible applicants who have accepted an award for academic year.
• An investment in helping fellow writers reach their academic goals with strong listening skills, sensitivity, generosity, and flexibility.
  
  

Position RequirementsDuring the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).Employment Conditions(1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.To ensure consideration apply before the application review date 4/1/26. A review of applications will continue until qualified candidates are identified.Contact Information to ApplicantsSamantha Demmerle:

• This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.Additional Candidate InstructionsPlease include:
• Cover letter that addresses your qualifications.
• CV.
• Writing sample (possibilities include research paper, reflection, rhetorical analysis, personal essay, or other appropriate piece).
• Your work availability for the semester.
  
  

sjdemmerle@ku.eduAdvertised Salary Range$21.00 per hourAnticipated Start DateSaturday August 1, 2026Apply to Job