Graduate Administrative Assistant - Honors Program (Fall 2026)

Jacksonville State University; Jacksonville (AL); On-site; USD 9,376 - 13,354; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship up to $4,386

University tuition coverage

Job summary

Jacksonville State University in Alabama seeks a Graduate Administrative Assistant for the Honors Program. The GAA will assist with special projects, newsletters, and researching other schools to develop meaningful programs, as well as providing support to faculty and handling departmental operations.

Occasional after-hours meetings and van driving may be required. Position is 20 hours per week in fall/spring or full summer term, earning $8.25 per hour for up to 16 weeks.

Qualifications

• Must be classified as a degree‑seeking graduate student at JSU.
• Must be actively enrolled in a graduate degree program at JSU during the assistantship semester.
• If a new student, must be admitted to a degree program.
• Must be actively enrolled in required coursework towards the degree. The Graduate Assistantship will not pay for courses that are not in the degree program plan of study/checklist.

Responsibilities

• Assist with special projects for the Honors Program.
• Prepare newsletters and research other schools for projects.
• Assist faculty and with departmental operational duties.
• Maintain alumni data and update information boards and mailouts.
• Create PowerPoints and PowerPoint-ready materials as needed.

Skills

Graduate student status

Enrolled in graduate degree

GPA minimum

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Forms

Job description

Department:

Honors Program

Position Summary:

The duties of the Graduate Administrative Assistant (GAA) in the Honors Program will assist with special projects relating to the Honors Program. The duties include preparing newsletters, researching other schools in order to develop special and meaningful projects and programs, as well as preparing suggestions for improving current procedures. Position also includes assisting faculty, some academic support duties, and departmental operational duties. The GAA will rotate with other staff members attending Honors Program meetings, which may include assisting after regular university hours, on weekdays, or on weekends during special events. Must also be willing to drive a 6 to 15 passenger van if needed.

Positions will be filled based on individual applicant’s skills, qualification, and departmental needs.

If you choose to apply for employment as a graduate student at JSU, your transcripts and letters of recommendation will be reviewed by personnel from the units who have posted a graduate administrative assistantship position.

Compensation:

Graduate Administrative Assistants are expected to work 20 hours per week during a fall or spring semester, or a full summer term (May, June, and July).

$8.25 per hour with a max of 20 hours per week for a total of 16 weeks.

Student pay is disbursed biweekly and is based on the number of hours worked, students must clock in and clock out for each shift. Biweekly payroll over the course of the term.

In addition to an hourly rate, Graduate Assistantships carry a scholarship each semester up to the max award of $4,386.00. The scholarship award covers the general university fee and tuition. Students are responsible for additional fees such as international, program, and course fees. Students enrolled in specialty priced programs may owe a remaining balance after scholarship award.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The job consists of multiple special projects that may be different from month to month.

General Items Throughout Tenure:

• Familiarize yourself with the Program including rules, history, procedures, etc.
• Special projects/Events
• Maintain alumni data base and alumni communication
• Keep file systems up to date.
• Continually update information boards (classroom & hallway) with relevant information.
• Create Microsoft forms as needed for each meeting, service, or social event.
• Assist the Public Relations officer manage and post on Honors social media accounts including Instagram and Facebook.
• Prepare for preview day and admitted students' day (attend, stock supplies, set up, take down)
• Regularly update and keep track of students’ service hours and program points
• Assist with advisement for priority registration
• Verify Honors by Contract courses
• Conduct research and create PowerPoints as needed
• Review Honors Journals
• Create the semester newsletter
• Assist with Honors communication
• Maintenance of printers and computers (paper, ink, etc.)
• Organization of supplies and general maintenance of the Honor’s room
• Assist staff with mailouts to prospective students
• Assist staff with service projects
• Profile study away and study abroad pre and post travel
• Assist with inviting Honors By Contract and UH instructors to Honors Program Events
• Assist with organizing graduation receptions

Graduate Assistantship Qualifications:

• Must be classified as a degree‑seeking graduate student at JSU.
• Must be actively enrolled in a graduate degree program at JSU during the assistantship semester.
• If a new student, must be admitted to a degree program.
• Must be actively enrolled in required coursework towards the degree. The Graduate Assistantship will not pay for courses that are not in the degree program plan of study/checklist.

Note: If a student is classified as a graduate student and is required to take undergraduate courses for the graduate degree (foundation courses, undergraduate deficiency courses, etc.), the Graduate Assistantship will only pay for these courses if they are documented as required courses via memo from the student’s advisor to the Director of Graduate Studies.

• Must hold the minimum required GPA for the student’s enrolled degree program.
• During the assistantship semester, must be enrolled at JSU in six to nine (6-9) graduate semester hours in a fall or spring semester or six to nine (6-9) graduate semester hours in a full summer term. (Full summer term = May, June, and July). An exception to this requirement may be made by the Director of Graduate Studies, under the following circumstances:
  • If a student is classified as a graduate student and is required to take undergraduate courses for a graduate degree (foundation courses, undergraduate deficiency courses, etc.). The Graduate Assistantship will only pay for these courses if they are documented as required courses via memo from the student’s advisor to the Director of Graduate Studies.
  • If a student has made satisfactory progress toward obtaining the graduate degree and needs fewer than six (6) graduate semester hours available to complete the degree, the student may be considered for an assistantship.
  • If a student will hold a Graduate Teaching Assistantship during a summer term, the student may be allowed to enroll in fewer than six (6) graduate hours to be considered for the assistantship, as long as the courses are required for the degree.
• Must not be holding another campus job.
• A graduate assistant is prohibited from accepting, receiving, or being credited for other forms of tuition scholarships or waivers from the University. Scholarships from sources outside of the University and the JSU employee benefit of tuition assistance will both be permitted.
• If the student has previously held a Graduate Assistantship position at JSU, the student must have fulfilled all duties and complied with all policies to be considered for another Graduate Assistantship.
• It is preferred that a Graduate Teaching Assistant not teach and take a class during the same summer term. Any student wanting to teach and take a class in the same summer term must be granted permission by his/her advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies prior to enrolling in the course. Requests should be sent via e‑mail.
• It should be noted that the graduate assistantship tuition scholarship may affect the amount of federal financial aid for which students are eligible. The graduate assistant will be responsible for determining if there is any impact on eligibility of other financial aid programs.
• Must complete FERPA training, Sexual Harassment training, and other training as required through JSU.
• International graduate assistantships must be certified by the Director of the International House and Programs to perform duties and receive compensation.

Notice Regarding International Students:

• All International Students must be in a valid immigration status.
• Please visit the International Programs website for additional information: http://www.jsu.edu/international/index.html
• Due to Visa requirements international students must be enrolled as a full‑time JSU student and possess each of the following:

a. Passport from their respective country.

b. F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Student Visa.

c. U.S. Customs Form I-94.

d. Official photo identification.

e. Official Social Security Card imprinted with “Valid for Work Only” or similar statement.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript

Clery Notice: In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, https://www.clerycenter.org/the-clery-act the Jacksonville State University Police provide information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three calendar years. The JSU Annual Campus Security and Fire Report is available online at: http://jsu.edu/police/docs/CleryAnnualReport.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity: Jax State is an Equal Employment and Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.