Graduate Research Assistant for OU/Pontiac Initiatives (Community Engagement)

General Summary:

 The Graduate Assistant (GA) for the Oakland University-Pontiac Initiative (OU-PI)  is an Oakland University (OU) graduate student who works under the guidance of the Senior Director of Community Service and Pre-College Programs and the Superintendent of the Pontiac School District.  The GA is involved in a variety of projects, events, and workshops focused on the Birth to 16 Education pillar or “focus area.”

The GA assists the Senior Director for Community Service and Pre-College Programs in marketing and communications, securing program reports from OU-PI project leads in order to capture student testimonials, success stories, and photos to place on the OU-PI website. The GA will also assist in the development of a quarterly newsletter, and the development of social media presence tied to OU-PI programs and events.

This position will work with the Parent University committee to implement Parent University activities, recruit participants, schedule parent and student engagement initiatives, coordinate parent courses and workshops, gather and analyze data, and provide recommendations for improvement and key findings. 

The GA works closely with OU staff and students, the Pontiac School District, school personnel, parents, and related agencies to ensure that classes provide knowledge and skills that are critical to engaging parents and other caring adults to support their children’s academics. 

Hours: Part-time (20 hours per week) 

Shift/Days:  This is a part-time position with occasional evenings or weekends required.

Desired Qualifications:  Fluent in Spanish a plus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

·         Establishes and maintains effective public relations with parents, care providers, district personnel and students, projecting a positive OU/Pontiac Initiative image.

·         Develop promotional/resource materials for students, parents, faculty and staff, adhering to the OU/PSD branding guidelines. 

·         Assists in the recruitment and engagement of parents and volunteers.

·         Identify community resources to support parents, including parents who have a child in special education.

·         Assist in preparing parents to understand the special education process and accommodations their child will receive.

·         Ensures coordination in all elements of Birth to 16 Education initiatives including: setting up meeting dates, adherence to timelines, collaboration, communication between OU students and staff, the school district, parents and any related agencies.

·         Assist with the development and implementation of classes and workshops for parents and students. 

·         Meet with community partners and agencies to identify and plan off-campus class offerings.

·         Assist in providing support to instructors, classroom staff and OU students by assuring appropriate meeting space and materials, refreshments, developing surveys and analyzing data. 

·         Monitor parent/student attendance, progress and retention.

·         Participates in OU/Pontiac Initiative Birth to 16 Education meetings and activities.

·         Assist in the development of a quarterly newsletter for the OU-Pontiac Initiative and assist with revising the community engagement/OU-Pontiac Initiative website.

·         Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

·         Completed Bachelor’s degree

·         Acceptance into OU’s graduate school and enrolled full-time (at least 8 credits)

·         Maintain good academic standing (3.0 grade point average or better)