GRAD STU STAFF ASST

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following materials outlined below via the applicant portal: cover letter, resume, and transcript. These documents must be submitted as a single .pdf file. Please include your first and last name in the .pdf filename (e.g., Mateen_Zafer_Materials.pdf). To learn how to merge multiple documents in Adobe, check out this resource. 
 

If you encounter any issues submitting documents via the applicant portal, email your application materials to Mateen Zafer, School of Public Health Office of Access Culture, & Community Program Manager: [email protected]. 
 

Applicants who do not submit the following documents will not be considered:

• Current resume 
• Current transcript
• Cover Letter
  • A cover letter is required for consideration for this position because it:
    • will help the selection committee better understand the larger context and impact of the experience that your resume reflects. 
       
    • will allow the selection committee to understand your particular approach to the core focus area of the position: disability justice and access resource development and implementation, particularly with an eye toward institutional integration and usability.
       
  • In your cover letter, please address the following: 
    • What is your University affiliation and year in graduate studies? 
    • What motivated you to apply for this role?
    • Outline skills and work or volunteer experience that directly relate to this position by describing a time when you successfully moved a project related to disability justice and/or access through to completion. Consider the following:
      • What strategies did you use to manage the project's timeline, navigate collaboration with key stakeholders, and ensure the final product was useful and accessible? 
      •  If applicable, share how you built upon or adapted existing materials or frameworks. We are especially interested in experiences that demonstrate your ability to carry forward and evolve ongoing work, such as further developing and implementing a disability justice teaching guide and accommodation process materials.
•  If selected as a finalist:
  A letter or e-mail from your academic advisor confirming that you are in good academic standing, not on fellowship support, and are approved for a 50% appointment (PLEASE NOTE: this letter may be submitted separately to [email protected]).
   

Course Description

The School of Public Health (SPH) Office of Access, Culture, & Community (OACC) is hiring a Disability Culture Graduate Student Staff Assistant (DC GSSA) for the Academic Year 2025-2026. We are seeking a thoughtful and dynamic student to help us with the continued development, refinement, and implementation of key resources, such as a disability justice teaching guide and accommodations process maps, to support disability inclusion and access across the School of Public Health.
 

Responsibilities*

The Disability Culture GSSA's primary responsibilities will focus on promoting accessibility and implementing disability justice initiatives that center individuals with disabilities and educate the SPH community. Over the last few years, SPH community members have gathered information about disability/access needs in the school community. These efforts, along with the School administration's efforts, have helped to identify a clear list of priorities that a DC GSSA would support, including:

• Support efforts to better incorporate Disability & Access in the SPH classroom content, policy, and administration (e.g., a disability justice teaching guide)
• Lead engagement and collaborations with SPH community organizations to promote accessibility and foster inclusive partnerships (e.g., accommodations process maps to support student advocacy)
• Support enhanced communication around the School's accessibility portfolio to the larger SPH community.
• Attending weekly 1:1 meetings with OACC Program Manager, Mateen Zafer  
   

Required Qualifications*

• Familiarity with intersectional approaches to accessibility and disability
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through to effectively manage multiple projects and initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships to work and communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Ability to work collaboratively or independently, as the task requires, while fostering an environment of mutual respect and support
• Familiarity with Google Suite productivity tools and Canva
   

Desired Qualifications*

Knowledge of and curiosity about accessibility and disability justice frameworks in higher education.

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.

Additional Information

Virtual Information Session: Wednesday, July 16th from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm EST. Please use this LINK to learn more & RSVP. A link to the recording of this session and any resources shared will be added to this job post for those who aren't able to attend.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to School of Public Health Office of Access, Culture and Community Program Manager Mateen Zafer, [email protected]. 

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: Sunday, July 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST

Decision Making Process

The Access, Culture, and Community hiring committee will make every effort will be made to notify all applicants regarding a hiring decision by Friday, August 15, 2025.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline by the Access, Culture, and Community hiring committee, and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for finalists.
 

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 Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.