• Job Type: Short Term Casual
• Regular/Temporary: Temporary
• End Date if Temporary: 5/29/2026
• Hours Per Week: 20
• Salary Range: $26.00 - $26.00

Position Summary

University Life was created to develop and enhance the student experience at Columbia. Working in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, University Life strengthens resources, policies, and conversations, and builds community outside of the classroom. Our efforts all connect to core values for the Columbia community:

• Inclusion and belonging
• Health and well-being
• Sexual respect
• Community citizenship

University Life is a central division focused on enhancing the student experience across Columbia’s 17 schools and colleges. We serve as a student life hub for the University and are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive campus culture where students can thrive in all dimensions of their lives. In University Life, we focus on connecting students to each other, to the broader University and surrounding community, and to opportunities beyond their schools.

We work to educate students about Columbia’s values and policies, as well as share essential and timely information with students from the University. Through our programs, services, and partnerships, we support students’ educational enrichment during their time at Columbia.

The Graduate Assistant (GA) will report to the Senior Program Manager for Strategic Student Engagement and support university-wide, student-focused programs that promote inclusion and belonging efforts, including the Graduate Initiative for Inclusion and Engagement.

GAs will be paid $26/hour for approximately 20 hours per week throughout the academic year. The Assistantship will run from August 2025 through May 2026, with the possibility to start earlier and/or extend to the summer and the following year.

Responsibilities

• Inclusion and Belonging: Assist with the planning and execution of events that strengthen connections among graduate students and foster a supportive campus culture through the Graduate Initiative. Additional opportunities to plan your own programs or support other Student Life programming will be available as capacity permits.
• Student Outreach & Engagement- Support the Sr. Program Manager and Project Coordinator for Strategic Student Engagement with outreach to graduate student organizations and affinity groups to help ensure diverse perspectives are represented in engagement initiatives.
• Event Support- Staff small- and large-scale events such as Grad Hangouts, Community Connections and Welcome Week programs; assist with event set-up, breakdown, supply transport, and support full-time staff at signature University Life events.
• Data Management - Assist with basic data management such as student list management, creating simple data reports, cleaning up data from surveys, etc.
• Research- Research current trends and best practices in student engagement, and inclusion & belonging from peer institutions and national organizations, and analyze data to identify opportunities for enhancing student programs.
• Marketing & Media - Create promotional flyers and materials, event descriptions, registration links working closely with the University Life Communications team
• Administrative Responsibilities: Support daily operations of Student Life and University Life teams by managing inventory, preparing materials, updating spreadsheets, responding to emails, and handling logistics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Applicants must be currently enrolled graduate students in the New York area.
• Candidates must be in good academic and disciplinary standing with their institution and agree to a disciplinary check.
• GAs may also be called upon to support other projects across the office as needed. We are looking for candidates that are flexible, creative, and have the ability to work both independently and in groups.
• Ideal candidates will have experience/interest in, and/or be studying higher education or related fields (interest in issues related to inclusion & belonging on campus and student affairs, and event planning a plus).
• Must be available to work in-person at the office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Basic knowledge of Google Sheets/Excel.
• Experience with student/client-facing email and phone communications.
• Experience using Canva (or other basic graphic design skills) is a plus.
• Experience using Qualtrics or other data collection tools is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.