How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume or CV. The letter should address your specific interest in and fit with this GSSA position. Please include your University Department/Program affiliation and year in graduate studies.
Job Summary
The aim of the Rackham Master's Education Initiative is to design student success and professional development programs which meet the unique needs and goals of our master's students.
This GSSA position will support the Rackham Master's Education Initiative by: 1) completing a thorough literature review regarding established and emerging practices for providing affordable master's degree education, 2) conducting a public policy analysis of historical trends as well as current developments impacting master's degree affordability; and, 3) facilitating additional stakeholder engagement through direct consultation, focus groups, surveys, etc.
Appointment Period: Fall 2025 (This position is for one term with renewal contingent upon completion of performance expectations and available funding).
Estimated FTE: 50% (20 hours per week)
Compensation: This appointment provides tuition, required fees, stipend (at the GEO negotiated GSSA monthly rate), GradCare health insurance, and dental insurance (Option 1).
Number of applicants from last academic year: This is a new position.
Course Description
The aim of the Rackham Master's Education Initiative is to design student success and professional development programs which meet the unique needs and goals of our master's students.
Responsibilities*
- Complete a thorough literature review regarding established and emerging practices for providing affordable master's degree education
- Conduct a public policy analysis of historical trends as well as current developments impacting master's degree affordability
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement about master's student success through direct consultation, focus groups, surveys, etc.
- Help develop evidence-based recommendations for future next steps for the Rackham Master's Education Initiative
- Serve as a member of the Rackham Master's Education Initiative's Professional Development Committee
- Regularly communicate and coordinate with the Rackham Master's Education Initiative team
- Assist in advancing the goals of the Rackham Master's Education Initiative
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities.
NOTE: SOME FLEXIBILITY OF SCHEDULED WORK HOURS MAY BE REQUIRED.
Required Qualifications*
Applicants must be currently registered in a Rackham graduate program. Preference will be given to doctoral students who have reached candidacy. Students who are unsure if they are in a Rackham graduate program should check their graduate program listing in http://www.rackham.umich.edu/programs-of-study.
- The work described above for this position must be considered academically relevant by the department or degree program in which the student is enrolled
- Experience with developing literature reviews and public policy analyses
- Experience facilitating stakeholder engagement through focus groups, survey development, and other methodologies
- Strong organizational, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work and communicate effectively and professionally with the University community as well as potential external constituents
- Ability to work collaboratively or independently, as the task requires
- Demonstrated competency with modern computer productivity tools, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation programs, and project management software
- Bachelor's degree
Desired Qualifications*
- Experience with issues in graduate education (especially master's education), graduate student development, leadership and professional development, and current issues in higher education
- An understanding of the historical and contemporary challenges which create barriers for access, opportunity, and student success, particularly among master's student populations
- Project management experience
- Basic data and policy analysis skills
- Familiarity with Qualtrics
How You'll Grow
The GSSA position will strengthen professional competencies in the following areas:
- Literature review and critical synthesis of research, with an emphasis on educational policy and affordability in graduate education
- Policy analysis, including identification and interpretation of historical and contemporary trends affecting higher education affordability
- Stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and qualitative/quantitative data collection through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and surveys
- Evidence-based decision making and recommendation development through analysis and integration of research and stakeholder input
- Application of best practices for supporting graduate student success
- Community-building skills within academic and professional contexts
- Professional communication and scholarly dissemination, with the ability to present findings and proposals effectively in academic settings (e.g., conferences)
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
Questions regarding this position may be emailed to Assistant Dean Ethriam Brammer at [email protected]. Applicants may request the status of their application from the appointing unit.
Decision Making Process
Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for the selected candidate; the selected candidate will also be required to submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting their acceptance of this position before hire is finalized.
Assistant Dean Ethriam Brammer and Senior Academic Director Laura Schram are leading this search.
Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by Monday, September 15, 2025.
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for the selected candidate; the selected candidate will also be required to submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting their acceptance of this position before hire is finalized
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.