Department of Student Life
Graduate Assistant 2024-25
The Graduate Assistant for Cairns Student Life department reports directly to the Dean of Students and is primarily responsible for planning, implementing, and assessing the Universitys First Year Experience (FYE) Program, student orientation, transition, and retention programs and services. The GA is expected to be student-centered, administratively sound, task-oriented, relationship oriented, have the ability to problem solve, work autonomously as well as with a team, and be proficient with technology. Small and large group facilitation skills, strong customer service skills appreciation for diversity and the ability to work successfully with a variety of constituents are also highly desired.
Position Responsibilities:
- Assist in the development, implementation, staffing, and assessment of FYE events including the First Year Seminars and New Student Orientation.
- Assist the Office of Student Life in administrative tasks such as front desk and Teams/telephone support, as needed.
- Manage Cairn Universitys mobile app and develop marketing content for the mobile app related to orientation, FYE, and student engagement.
- Conduct outreach to at-risk students identified through the early alert warning system to assess needs and make appropriate referrals.
- Assist in the planning and execution of various Student Life events and activities.
- Assist in the development and implementation of FYE and Persistence and Retention marketing efforts, including creating, producing, and editing publications and social media.
- Research high-impact programs focused on first year student orientation, transition, and retention and make recommendations for implementation and enhancements of current programming.
Qualities & Qualifications:
- Excellent administrative and computer skills, including Excel and Microsoft Office and other analytical programs.
- Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities.
- Excellent ability to attend to details
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
- Strong sense of responsibility.
- High level of oral and written communication skills.
General Information - Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Assistants (GAs) must be, and remain, enrolled as a student in good standing on a full-time basis in a Cairn graduate program through the duration of the GA-ship. Dual-level degree students are not eligible for consideration. Those enrolled in a Cairn Online masters degree program are eligible for consideration, but GA work assignments are on-campus only.
The GA-ship ends at the conclusion of the semester in which the GA completes his/her degree.
GAs are paid a stipend of $6,000 per year ($230 per bi-weekly pay period), are provided with fully-paid tuition remission for their courses, and may participate in discount programs offered to Cairn employees. In exchange for the compensation, the GA is expected to work 20 hours per week in a specific department with assigned duties.
While GA-ships are learning experiences, they also require fulfillment of regular work responsibilities. GA-ships are considered year-round, although scheduled work and time off may vary widely from one GA-ship to another, depending upon the workflow and requirements of the department to which the GA is assigned.
For all GA openings, preference will be given to qualified candidates who are beginning their first year of the masters degree program and intend to remain in the GA position through completion of their academic program.
Serving at Cairn University
Located in Langhorne, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Cairn University exists to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated and professionally competent men and women of character. Students earn bachelors degrees in various areas including Bible, Education, Music, and Business Administration; and graduate degrees in Business, Divinity, Education, Organizational Leadership, Worship and Music, and Counseling.
Cairn is a conservative evangelical institution within the protestant tradition that employs faculty and staff who profess Jesus Christ as personal Savior; agree to Cairns Statement of Faith and Community Life Covenant; and serve students in a ministerial capacity through imparting and upholding biblical instruction, prayer, and mentoring. Members of the faculty are required to integrate biblical instruction in their respective professional subject areas. Applicants must provide a Personal Testimony of salvation as part of the application process.
To apply, please follow the link below. You may upload and submit your resume/CV and cover letter and unofficial transcripts with the application.
Cairn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability
or other protected characteristics, in administration of its educational, employment and admissions policies.
