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PACE GSSA for Fall 2026

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume. 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 Rackham Graduate School is seeking a Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) to work with the Partnerships for Access, Community, and Excellence (PACE) team, specifically supporting the Institutional Partnership Initiative and the Rackham Merit Fellowship (RMF) Program, along with other PACE Team initiatives, as needed. Duties will include event coordination and implementation, program development, assessment & evaluation, resource creation & dissemination, literature reviews, and strategic planning for key initiatives.

Appointment Period: **Fall 2026** (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: 56

Course Description

The Rackham Graduate School is seeking a Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) to work with the Partnerships for Access, Community, and Excellence (PACE) team, specifically supporting the Institutional Partnership Initiative and the Rackham Merit Fellowship (RMF) Program, along with other PACE Team initiatives such ascoordination and implementation, program development, assessment & evaluation, resource creation & dissemination, literature reviews, and strategic planning for key initiatives

Responsibilities*

+ Assist with the planning and implementation of in-person and virtual events, some of which may take place outside regular business hours

+ Assist with developing systematic program evaluations in alignment with learning objectives

+ Engage in a needs analysis of specific graduate student populations

+ Assist with identifying, summarizing, and disseminating best practices

+ Assist with alumni engagement activities

+ Identify opportunities for systematically growing and scaling programming

+ Create and curate resources for graduate students

+ Provide contributions to special projects focused on student development and programming outcomes

+ Conduct literature reviews on relevant topics

+ Design curriculum and other workshops for the graduate community on topics related to student access and success

+ Engage with current and prospective students

+ Prepare reports and presentations

+ Assist with special projects in support of PACE team initiatives

+ Attend regular meetings with PACE team members

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 IS REQUIRED, INCLUDING EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS ON A PRIOR SCHEDULED BASIS.

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 (http://www.rackham.umich.edu/programs-of-study.) .

+ Excellent oral and written communication skills

+ Demonstrated competency with modern computer productivity tools including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, assessment tools and presentation programs

+ Ability to handle multiple projects with excellent attention to detail and the ability to meet deadlines

+ Ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of a sensitive and confidential nature

+ Strong interpersonal skills

+ Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, prioritization, and follow-through

+ Ability to work as part of a team and capacity to exercise independence and initiative

Desired Qualifications*

+ Experience with recruitment, student development, and student success programs

+ An understanding of the challenges faced by students in higher education

+ The ability to work, problem-solve, and make decisions with limited supervision

+ Reasonable knowledge of University and departmental policies and procedures, University organization, and University protocol and governance

+ Prior experience in relevant student support programs

How You'll Grow

The GSSA position will strengthen professional competencies in the following areas:

+ Interpersonal skills: including active listening skills and the ability to communicate effectively and professionally

+ Development: identifying needs and formulating ideas

+ Evaluation: gathering information about specific components of programs to make future decisions, set appropriate goals, or make possible changes

+ Problem-solving: having the critical thinking skills to address problems and propose solutions

+ Collaboration: working with others cooperatively to reach established goals

+ Best practices in graduate student success

+ Community-building in higher education environments

+ Student should be able to present a proposal/paper regarding their experience at a local/regional conference in their field.

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 thework modes (https://hr.umich.edu/working-u-m/my-employment/ways-we-work-resource-center/ways-we-work-implementation-group/modes-work) .

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to Cherie Dotson, Co-Director - Rackham PACE Team - [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. Selected candidates will be asked to complete a brief exercise as part of the interview process. 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.

**Cherie Dotson, Director of Access & Partnerships Rackham PACE** , is leading this search.

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by **March 31, 2026.**

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Selected candidates will be asked to complete a brief exercise as part of the interview process. 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 athttps://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 (https://spg.umich.edu/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.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

273066

Working Title

PACE GSSA for Fall 2026

Job Title

GRAD STU STAFF ASST

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Rackham Grad School

Department

Rackham PACE

Posting Begin/End Date

1/19/2026 - 2/02/2026

Career Interest

Graduate Students

Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GEO)