What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant position at Inside Higher Ed?
Requisition Number
GA00941
Position Title
Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant
Position Eclass
GF - Graduate Flat Pay
Position Summary
The term Graduate Assistant is the umbrella term that encompasses all types of GA appointments. Graduate Assistants are employed by the University to teach, conduct research, or assist with administrative duties in departments and non-academic units. Every attempt is made to assign Graduate Assistants to positions that are directly related to the student’s field of study or that provide the opportunity to develop transferable, professional skills. Graduate Assistantships are assigned in the department or unit and confirmed by the Graduate School.
Additional Details
Department/Office Mission: Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students supports students as they navigate unexpected challenges by fostering a culture of care. The office provides support for basic needs, students in distress, while partnering with students, faculty, and staff to promote student success and well-being.
Division of Student Affairs: The Mission and Goals of Student Affairs builds on the University’s Mission regarding engaged citizenship, life-long learning, and leadership. Student Affairs provides intentional co-curricular experiences to support academic learning.
Job Description-Reporting: Dual reporting to the Assistant Dean of Student in the Dean of Students Office and the Associate Director for Student & Family Engagement in the Division of Students Affairs
Job Description-Job Duties And/or Responsibilities
The Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant reports to the Assistant Dean of Students and the Associate Director of Student & Family Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs. The Graduate Assistant (GA) collaborates with the Dean, Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Deans of Students, Associate Director of Student & Family Engagement, and the Student Services Specialist to provide services to the University Community. The Dean of Students Office is a fast-paced, dynamic, student-centered environment, which assists and serves the entire University Community. These services include providing outreach to the campus community, working with students, parents, and families individually and in groups, as well as serving as an advocate for faculty, staff, and students who seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office.
The philosophy of the Division of Student Affairs is that graduate students deserve challenge, support, supervision, resources, professional development opportunities, and role modeling. Student Affairs professionals believe graduate students should enjoy their work and the environment, feel an active part of the offices, be highly efficient and effective, and gain a well-rounded professional experience in the field of student affairs.
The Graduate Assistant must be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours per semester, fully admitted into a degree program (not provisional), and is responsible for working 20 hours per week. The Graduate Assistant will have an assigned appointment for the period of August through May. Priority consideration will be given to first-year graduate students, as the position is a two-year renewable contract with the Dean of Students Office and Division of Student Affairs.
Responsibilities
Parent and Family Support
Lomar Osbourne – Assistant Dean of Students: LLOSBOUR@uncg.edu
Nicole Merritt – Associate Director for Student & Family Engagement: njmerrit@uncg.edu
Minimum Qualifications
To be eligible for appointments as a graduate assistant, you must:
Additional Required Skills or Prerequisites:
9
Org #-Department:
Dean of Students - 44503
Posting Begin Date
04/10/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
GA00941
Position Title
Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant
Position Eclass
GF - Graduate Flat Pay
Position Summary
The term Graduate Assistant is the umbrella term that encompasses all types of GA appointments. Graduate Assistants are employed by the University to teach, conduct research, or assist with administrative duties in departments and non-academic units. Every attempt is made to assign Graduate Assistants to positions that are directly related to the student’s field of study or that provide the opportunity to develop transferable, professional skills. Graduate Assistantships are assigned in the department or unit and confirmed by the Graduate School.
Additional Details
Department/Office Mission: Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students supports students as they navigate unexpected challenges by fostering a culture of care. The office provides support for basic needs, students in distress, while partnering with students, faculty, and staff to promote student success and well-being.
Division of Student Affairs: The Mission and Goals of Student Affairs builds on the University’s Mission regarding engaged citizenship, life-long learning, and leadership. Student Affairs provides intentional co-curricular experiences to support academic learning.
Job Description-Reporting: Dual reporting to the Assistant Dean of Student in the Dean of Students Office and the Associate Director for Student & Family Engagement in the Division of Students Affairs
Job Description-Job Duties And/or Responsibilities
The Parent, Family, and Student Advocacy Graduate Assistant reports to the Assistant Dean of Students and the Associate Director of Student & Family Engagement in the Division of Student Affairs. The Graduate Assistant (GA) collaborates with the Dean, Associate Dean of Students, Assistant Deans of Students, Associate Director of Student & Family Engagement, and the Student Services Specialist to provide services to the University Community. The Dean of Students Office is a fast-paced, dynamic, student-centered environment, which assists and serves the entire University Community. These services include providing outreach to the campus community, working with students, parents, and families individually and in groups, as well as serving as an advocate for faculty, staff, and students who seek assistance from the Dean of Students Office.
The philosophy of the Division of Student Affairs is that graduate students deserve challenge, support, supervision, resources, professional development opportunities, and role modeling. Student Affairs professionals believe graduate students should enjoy their work and the environment, feel an active part of the offices, be highly efficient and effective, and gain a well-rounded professional experience in the field of student affairs.
The Graduate Assistant must be enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours per semester, fully admitted into a degree program (not provisional), and is responsible for working 20 hours per week. The Graduate Assistant will have an assigned appointment for the period of August through May. Priority consideration will be given to first-year graduate students, as the position is a two-year renewable contract with the Dean of Students Office and Division of Student Affairs.
Responsibilities
Parent and Family Support
- Manage the Spartan Families Fund database of pledges
- Prepare and send Spartan Families Fund Thank You letters to donors
- Assist with the planning and execution of annual fundraising events/other Family Engagement Events such as Spartan Family Weekend
- Assist with the planning and execution of the Fall and Spring Parent and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) meetings
- Maintain regular communication with PFAC
- Create informational materials for PFAC
- Respond to parent and family concerns via email/social media as appropriate by providing resources and information
- Create content/calendars for the Spartan Family Engagement social media pages, website, and Spartan Family Newsletters (assist with content creation for SA social media since they may overlap)
- Assist in the development of the monthly Spartan Family Newsletter
- Work with offices across campus and community resources to meet the needs of students; needs range from mental health concerns to financial issues
- Meet individually with students, actively listen to their issues, and assist them in prioritizing, problem-solving, and SMART planning
- Assist with facilitating Students Helping Students presentation
- Serve as an advocate to students, faculty, staff, and others who may need assistance managing a wide range of academic and personal issues
- Counsel students and assist with SMART Planning as needed
- Respond appropriately to confidential matters and refer as needed
- Assist with answering questions from faculty, staff, families, students, and the community
- The GA is responsible for reviewing and responding to Medical Documentation Review submissions to confirm students’ medical documentation
- Review and edit forms and webpage information
- GA will respond to inquiries about the department and its processes to persons either in person or by phone or email
- GA will work on special projects as assigned by the professional staff as needed
- Participate in University-wide committees associated with the office
- Review and evaluate the effectiveness of the processes
- Attend weekly staff meetings
- GA will provide support for initiatives and assessment as needed
- Participation in professional development opportunities as available
- Office environment majority of the time
- Event work can require GA to be working outside, lifting boxes, etc.
- Hybrid work required for virtual Spartan Family Engagement events and some student appointments in the Dean of Students office
Lomar Osbourne – Assistant Dean of Students: LLOSBOUR@uncg.edu
Nicole Merritt – Associate Director for Student & Family Engagement: njmerrit@uncg.edu
Minimum Qualifications
To be eligible for appointments as a graduate assistant, you must:
- Maintain academic good standing at all times (3.0).
- Be enrolled full-time, which is generally a minimum of 9 credits.
- Make satisfactory progress toward your degree as defined by your academic program and the Graduate School.
- Meet the requirements to be eligible for employment in the U.S.
Additional Required Skills or Prerequisites:
- Experience working with social media platforms (Meta products)
- Experience working with Canva
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong time management skills
- Actively seeks and applies feedback
- Experience using Microsoft Suite products
- Experience using case management or customer relationship management platforms
9
Org #-Department:
Dean of Students - 44503
Posting Begin Date
04/10/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes