How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their CV and cover letter through the UM Jobs portal (umjobs.org) as one document.
The cover letter should be addressed to the HSSP GSI Search Committee and must include:
- Your name, email address, and phone number
- Your University of Michigan affiliation, and the name and typical length of your graduate program
- Your current year in graduate studies and your expected graduation date
- Description of any previous GSI or teaching experience at University of Michigan or elsewhere
- A brief explanation of your teaching philosophy, if you have one, and/or your approach to anti-racist teaching or pedagogy
- Any experience/expertise in health-related work, public health, healthcare, or health systems
- Prior teaching evaluations, if available
- Two professional references (name, phone number, and email address for each)
- Please also indicate if you will be available during typical class lecture hours, and indicate which lab sections you would be able to teach, if known (lecture - Mondays 4-5:30; labs Wednesdays 8:30-10am, Thursdays 8:30-10am, Friday 1-2:30pm, Friday 2:30-4pm
Job Summary
The Health Sciences Scholars Program (HSSP) typically hires two (2) Graduate Student Instructors (50% appointment, average 20 hours/week) for each of the HSSP core courses (fall semester- ALA 106: Health and Health Care (Systems) and winter semester - ALA 109: Health and Health Care (People). This specific posting is for the Winter 2025 term only, ALA109. However, those hired for Winter 2025 may apply at a later date to be considered for Fall 2025's ALA106 as well.
Course Description
ALA 106/109 are required of all HSSP students (the cohort is typically 120 first-year students).
ALA 106/109 are taught by Dr. Lisa Harris, and also feature many guest lectures and presentations by UM and community experts. These classes provide a broad examination of the cultural, political, personal, and socioeconomic dimensions of health and health care. The courses afford pre-health students an opportunity to explore domestic and global health policy, social determinants of health, health disparities, ethics, and other pressing matters in the health and health care arena. This content provides a foundation for professional involvement in health care, and allows students to think critically about significant challenges, opportunities, and careers in the field. Students attend one weekly lecture and one weekly discussion/"lab" section. Labs are designed to bring concepts from lecture to life, and use team-based learning and group activities. They require a creative approach. Each semester, students also attend 6-7 evening professional "Autobiography" speaker events (GSIs are also expected to attend these). Each student also attends two clinical observations in the U-M health system or broader Ann Arbor community each term (GSIs do not attend these, though they do help prepare students for them).
Responsibilities*
- Participation in pre-course GSI training and course planning with the HSSP faculty. This occurs prior to the start of the semester, and can be done remotely. For new GSIs, participation in CRLT GSI training modules is also required.
- Attend all weekly lectures
- With the instructor's guidance, take the lead on planning and facilitating weekly team-based learning (TBL) lab and discussion sessions. Each GSI will lead two 90 minute lab/discussion sessions each week. In labs, GSIs are expected to engage students in thoughtful classroom interaction, to work well with students from diverse backgrounds
- Communicate with guest speakers/lecturers/visitors to ensure their participation as scheduled.
- Develop and maintain a lab/section Canvas website, and assist in maintenance of the primary course website, including posting slides, recordings, readings, relevant campus event announcements, and other class content
- When a class community platform is part of the course (eg. Yellowdig), monitor community activity on the site and provide comments and accolades.
- Attend all (approximately 6-7) evening Professional Autobiography sessions per semester
- Grade assignments and provide feedback in a timely fashion; work with the other course GSI to ensure consistency in grading
- Complete any requested Academic Progress Reports requested by LSA or Student Academic Affairs
- Design weekly quizzes based upon the lectures and assigned materials
- Meet weekly with the HSSP ALA 106/109 instructor
- Hold office hours at least twice per week (in person and virtual recommended)
- Work with teaching team and with individual students as needed
- Participate in debriefing sessions on the course as a whole at the conclusion of each semester
- Respond to occasional student requests for letters of recommendation, and (typically) write letters for students, with oversight of Dr. Harris. Often these requests come after the conclusion of the semester, sometimes even years after.
Required Qualifications*
Applicants must be currently enrolled as a graduate student in good standing at the University of Michigan, actively progressing toward an advanced degree in a field or area of relevance to health or healthcare, and for Terms I and II, must be registered for not less than six (6) credit hours. With written approval of the student's faculty advisor, five (5) credit hours may be acceptable. Candidates must meet the language proficiency requirements set by the College of LSA. In addition, past coursework or life/work experience in health, public health, health law or healthcare is required. Applicants must be available during class times - Mondays 4-5:30, some Tuesday evenings 7-8pm. Candidates must be available for at least 2 of the following Lab times: Wednesdays 8:30-10am, Thursday 8:30-10am, Friday 1-2:30pm, 2:30-4pm. With advance notice, GSIs may be asked to attend HSSP events at other times.
Desired Qualifications*
- Interest in and/or experience with university living-learning programs.
- University-level undergraduate teaching experience
- Demonstrated understanding of social and structural determinants of health, socioecological frameworks for health, healthcare financing
- Excellent time management
- Previous experience as a GSI at University of Michigan
- Additional kinds of teaching experiences, including pedagogical training, and an interest in the course topic are also preferred
- Experience with Canvas course platform
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Contact Information
Brandon Veal
Health Sciences Scholars Program
1300 East Ann St., Suite 1300
Couzens Hall
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2016
[email protected]
https://lsa.umich.edu/hssp
Decision Making Process
Applicants may request the status of their application from the Health Sciences Scholars Program at any time after the submission of their application. Dr. Lisa Harris and HSSP will make reasonable efforts to extend offers to successful applicants by December 10th. Offers will typically be extended at least twenty-one (21) calendar days prior to the start of employment.
Selection Process
Candidates from all health-relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply. Previous teaching experience or close work with undergraduate students is strongly preferred. Applicants should also possess a strong desire to work with first-year undergraduates and pre-health populations.
The HSSP team will hold Zoom or in-person interviews of selected candidates to inform hiring decisions.
Complete applications must be submitted through the UM jobs portal and received by the application deadline to be considered.
GEO Contract Information
The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/
Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.
This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.
Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.
U-M EEO/AA Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.