AY25-26 Half (.5) Graduate Assistant - Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, Alternative[...]

Bridgewater Bagel & Coffee; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Bridgewater Bagel & Coffee is seeking a Half Graduate Assistant to support the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice's Alternative Break program. This role involves planning training sessions for undergraduate team leaders, facilitating community service initiatives, and participating in social justice events. The Graduate Assistant will work 10 hours per week while receiving tuition fee waivers and valuable experience in civic engagement and social justice education.

Qualifications

• Available to work evening hours, particularly Tuesday evenings.
• Ability to relate well to others and enjoy working with college students.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

Responsibilities

• Support the Alternative Break program including training and administrative tasks.
• Assist in planning and facilitating AB Team Leaders' training.
• Create and analyze program evaluations and feedback forms.

Skills

Organization

Attention to Detail

Public Speaking

Communication

Education

Graduate student enrolled in a degree program

Tools

Outlook email

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Qualtrics

Job description

AY25-26 Half (.5) Graduate Assistant - Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, Alternative Break

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The College of Graduate Studies (COGS) coordinates all of BSU’s Graduate Assistantships. For more information on the program or for the status of your application, please contact:
Cassie Birch
[e-mail]

Position Information

Title

Title AY25-26 Half (.5) Graduate Assistant - Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice, Alternative Break

Position Description

The Half Graduate Assistant (.5 GA) will work 10 hours per week and receive up to 15 credits of tuition and student fee waivers: 6 for fall, 6 for spring and 3 for summer.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The mission of the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice ( MRISJ ) is to build knowledge about social justice, to develop skills for advancing social justice through individual and collective action, and to serve as a catalyst for actualizing Bridgewater State University’s commitment to social justice.

The MRISJ provides learning opportunities, events, and resources relating to social justice and civic engagement. We host team experiences, speakers, panels, and discussions about critical issues affecting our society and offer ways for students to make positive change.
The MRISJ Graduate Assistant (GA) will provide support for one of the MRISJ’s signature civic engagement, social justice, and service initiatives: Alternative Break (AB) program.

For more information about the MRISJ visit: http://bit.ly/bsumrisj

Additional Information: The GA will be required to commit to occasional evening hours as required by programs.

Supervision: The MRISJ Director of Programs will supervise the Graduate Assistant.

CORE DUTIES
Alternative Break (AB) Program:
The Alternative Break (AB) program at Bridgewater State University is a transformative group experience that engages undergraduate students in social justice education, direct community service, civic engagement, and critical reflection. Alternative Break prepares students to contribute to positive social change and builds their abilities to address social issues in their own communities. AB trips are led by two undergraduate Team Leaders and include six additional undergraduate student program participants and two Learning Partners (who are University staff and/or faculty members).

• Train, advise and support a cohort of eight undergraduate student AB Team Leaders over the academic year as they plan and facilitate four separate AB experiences to be held during Spring Break 2026.
• Plan and facilitate weekly training and reflection activities for AB Team Leaders.
• Support AB Team Leaders to develop and deliver program training, orientation, and reflection for their respective AB program participants and teams.
• Maintain and prepare the existing AB training guides for the AB Team Leaders, Learning Partners, and participants.
• Assist in the creation and preparation of pre-trip materials (e.g., itineraries, trip participant lists, weekly agendas, reference materials, etc.) to distribute to all members of the AB experiences.
• Assist with AB program administrative tasks and program coordination, for example, collecting and tracking meeting attendance, preparing Team Leader meeting materials, and researching and compiling social justice and civic engagement educational resources for use by undergraduate students.
• Support AB program activities, including informational meetings, marketing events, program orientations, reflection sessions, and student Team Leader trainings.
• Serve as a member of the AB Student Team Leader and AB participant selection committees.
• Create and analyze AB pre/post surveys, program evaluations, and feedback forms, and prepare written reports for participants, Team Leaders, Learning Partners, and host sites, including preparation and submission of IRB proposal.
• Attend projects and events related to the AB program, for example pre/post trip excursions to local museums, service projects or educational events that enhance the AB program. (As schedule allows.)
• Other Alternative Break program duties as assigned.

MRISJ Program Support:

• Attend campus events, staff information tables, and assist with creating and disseminating AB marketing materials, etc.
• Serve as a MRISJ representative for classroom presentations, campus fairs, and BSU orientation programs as schedule allows.
• GA will be encouraged to attend any MRISJ events that work with their schedule and their interest.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Available to work evening hours (that do not conflict with class schedule), particularly Tuesday evenings from 5-7pm.
• Strong organization abilities and attention to detail.
• Ability to relate well to others.
• Good skills with Outlook email, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and willingness to learn and use Qualtrics.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Public speaking experience.
• Ability to follow instructions, take directions, and to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated leadership and initiative.
• Enjoy working with college students and have a desire to interact with college students.
• Have an open mind and be flexible.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience or strong interest in student development, advocacy, civic engagement, community service and/or social justice work.
• An interest in engaging students in conversation through the lens of civic engagement and social justice.
• An understanding and appreciation for co-curricular education.
• Experience in producing creative publications and marketing materials.
• Experience working with college students, faculty, and staff (undergraduate experience qualifies).
• Demonstrated passion for social justice and civic engagement along with a steadfast commitment to creating an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.

Physical Demands

Special Conditions for Eligibility

Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check.

EEO Statement

Bridgewater State University is an equal employment opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

Hourly Rate

Hourly Rate $15

Posting Number

Posting Number Stu05250P

Open Date

Close Date

Special Instructions to Applicants

The College of Graduate Studies ( COGS ) coordinates all of BSU’s Graduate Assistantships. For more information on the program or for the status of your application, please contact:
Cassie Birch
[e-mail]

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Are you a Bridgewater State University graduate student accepted into a graduate degree program?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Which Graduate program have you been accepted into?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Have you held a Graduate Assistantship or Writing Fellowship in the past?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Have you been accepted into a Postbaccalaureate, Accelerated Postbaccalaureate or Certificate program in Accounting, Finance, Instructional Technology, TESOL or Women's and Gender Studies?
  • Yes
  • No
Equal Opportunity Employer
Bridgewater State University is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.