(GSW) Graduate Student Worker - Project Research Assistant 2026 - 2027

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Job summary

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is seeking a Graduate Project Research Assistant to support research, data analysis, and program evaluation within the Student Success team. The position is 20 hours per week and spans a semester, with involvement in a national cohort project with CUNY ASAP.

This role offers hands-on experience in applied research and policy-informed practice. The incumbent will work with faculty, researchers, administrators, and partners to advance equity and student

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a master's program in management and leadership or a doctoral program in Educational Leadership.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience conducting research, collecting data, or analyzing information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the design and implementation of research studies related to student success, persistence, completion, transfer, workforce outcomes, and equity.
• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans on higher education research and best practices.
• Collect, clean, organize, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Support survey development, administration, and analysis.
• Assist with data visualization and preparation of reports, briefs, presentations, and research summaries.
• Ensure adherence to institutional data governance, confidentiality, and ethical research standards.

Skills

Research experience

Communication

Critical thinking

English proficiency

Independent decision making

Data interpretation

Education

Master's program in management and leadership

Doctoral program in Educational Leadership

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Tye of Position:

(GSW) Graduate Project Research Assistant working 20 hours per week/300 per semester with the Student Success department.

Pay Rate:

$15.00 per hour

Job Description:

East Stroudsburg University will be part of cohort of institutions involved with the CUNY ASAP Student Success Action Lab beginning in September 2026 to advance research, innovation, and evidence-based practices that improve student outcomes across higher education. Through collaborative inquiry, project implementation, and continuous improvement, the Action Lab supports institutions in identifying scalable strategies that promote persistence, completion, transfer success, and equitable student achievement. As such, we will employ a Graduate Project Research Assistant as part of the ESU Project Team to help with our learning and model design activities.
The Graduate Project Research Assistant supports the ESU-CUNY ASAP Student Success Action Lab's efforts to advance evidence-based strategies that improve student persistence, retention, completion, transfer, and post-graduation outcomes. Working closely with the ESU Project Team comprising of faculty, researchers, administrators, and community partners, the assistant contributes to research, assessment, project coordination, data analysis, and dissemination activities that inform student success initiatives across ESU and the PASSHE ecosystem. This position provides the graduate student with hands‑on experience in applied research, program evaluation, higher education policy, and project management while contributing to innovative initiatives that advance equity and student achievement.

Job Responsibilities:

Research and Data Analysis

• Assist in the design and implementation of research studies related to student success, persistence, completion, transfer, workforce outcomes, and equity.


• Conduct literature reviews and environmental scans on higher education research and best practices.


• Collect, clean, organize, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.


• Support survey development, administration, and analysis.


• Assist with data visualization and preparation of reports, briefs, presentations, and research summaries.


• Ensure adherence to institutional data governance, confidentiality, and ethical research standards.

Project Coordination

• Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Student Success Action Lab projects and initiatives.


• Assist with project timelines, meeting coordination, documentation, and progress tracking.


• Prepare agendas, meeting notes, and action items for project teams and stakeholders.


• Maintain project records and organizational systems.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, external partners, and institutional stakeholders.


• Support focus groups, interviews, workshops, and engagement activities.

Assist in coordinating communication and outreach efforts related to research and project activities.

Knowledge Dissemination

• Contribute to the development of research reports, case studies, policy briefs, and publications.


• Assist in preparing conference presentations, webinars, and other dissemination materials.


• Support the translation of research findings into actionable recommendations for practice and policy.


• Performs related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current enrollment in a master’s program in management and leadership or a doctoral program in Educational Leadership.


• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.


• Demonstrated interest in student success, educational equity, higher education research, or public policy.


• Experience conducting research, collecting data, or analyzing information.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.


• Proficiency with a statistical analysis tool or data visualization tool is helpful.


• Able to think critically and apply critical thinking skills to solve problems independently; make independent decisions that support the needs of the University and its students


• Able to quickly pivot between work tasks when unplanned events occur that need immediate attention


• Must be able to speak, read, write, and comprehend English; able to create clear verbal and written messages.

Annual CleryCrime and Fire statistics report:

East StroudsburgUniversity (ESU) has made a commitment to ensure the safety of its students, employeesand visitors. The annual security and fire safety compliance document isavailable on the ESU website here:http://www4.esu.edu/about/offices/police/documents/pdf/annual_publication.pdf

If you would like to receive a paper copy of the “East Stroudsburg UniversityPolice Annual Clery Crime and Fire Statistics Publication” which containsthis information, you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling(570) 422-3064.

The website and booklet contain information regarding campus security and personalsafety including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, universitypolice law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, disciplinaryprocedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety oncampus. They also contain information about crime statistics for the threeprevious calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus;in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by ESU; andon public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from thecampus.

About ESU:

EastStroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) is located in NortheasternPennsylvania in the scenic Pocono Mountains and adjacent to the Delaware WaterGap National Recreation Area. Founded in 1893, ESU is one of 14 universitymembers of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and has a currentenrollment of 6,742. The University offers 55 undergraduate degree programs and 22 graduate degree programs and one doctoral program, the universityis poised for continued growth. The surrounding community offers options forsuburban, small city, or country living all within a less than two-hour driveto both New York City and Philadelphia.