Program Associate, OGA

The George Washington University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The George Washington University is seeking a Program Associate for the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (OGPA) within Academic Affairs at Foggy Bottom. You will organize academic and social events, prepare informational materials, and coordinate with faculty and staff to support graduate students and postdocs across GW schools and colleges.

You will manage communications, newsletters, travel for senior staff, and contribute to programs like Presidential Fellowship and graduate

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree conferred by start date of the position or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Higher Ed Admin experience preferred.
• Technical proficiency with PeopleAdmin, Banner, and office productivity tools such as G Suite and MS Office.
• Experience managing professional social media accounts.
• Experience with Project Management tools.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving, interpersonal and communication skills; able to work independently and with a team.

Responsibilities

• Organize and coordinate academic and social events such as orientations, workshops, and conferences, including logistics like venue bookings, catering and travel for guest speakers.
• Serve as a point of contact for graduate students and guide resources, policies, deadlines, and academic processes.
• Prepare and distribute informational materials, including brochures, handbooks, and program guidelines.
• Collaborate with faculty, graduate deans and department chairs to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
• Participate in committees and planning initiatives to improve graduate student experience.
• Provide administrative support for key projects and programs (Presidential Fellowship, GW graduate mentorship, student research awards).
• Maintain and update the OGA website and social media accounts; organize content for monthly newsletters.
• Coordinate travel for senior department staff and manage purchases/expense reports.
• Coordinate the central Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Submission process and assist with policy development as needed.

Skills

Higher Ed Admin

Social media management

Project management tools

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Detail-oriented

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleAdmin

Banner

G Suite

MS Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs ( OGPA ) works to advance graduate and postdoctoral programs and enhance the graduate student and postdoctoral fellow experience at George Washington University. Its mission is to provide support to students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty engaging in graduate-level work and research by establishing and facilitating communication and cooperation among GW schools and colleges that support graduate education, and by providing guidance for graduate students and postdocs to ensure academic success, professional growth, and wellness. Through these efforts, OGPA is committed to fostering a greater sense of community and connection for graduate students and postdocs by creating engaging and valuable experiences. OGPA includes the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs ( OPA ), the Office of Graduate Affairs ( OGA ), and the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships ( OGSAF ).

Posting Details

I. Job Overview

Job Description Summary

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs ( OGPA ) works to advance graduate and postdoctoral programs and enhance the graduate student and postdoctoral fellow experience at George Washington University. Its mission is to provide support to students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and faculty engaging in graduate-level work and research by establishing and facilitating communication and cooperation among GW schools and colleges that support graduate education, and by providing guidance for graduate students and postdocs to ensure academic success, professional growth, and wellness. Through these efforts, OGPA is committed to fostering a greater sense of community and connection for graduate students and postdocs by creating engaging and valuable experiences. OGPA includes the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs ( OPA ), the Office of Graduate Affairs ( OGA ), and the Office of Graduate Student Assistantships and Fellowships ( OGSAF ).

Key job responsibilities of the Program Associate, OGA include the following:

• Organize and coordinate academic and social events such as orientations, workshops, and conferences, including managing logistics such as venue bookings, catering, and travel arrangements for guest speakers.
• Serve as a point of contact for graduate students, providing guidance on navigating university resources, policies, deadlines, and academic processes.
• Prepare and distribute informational materials, including brochures, handbooks, and program guidelines.
• Collaborate with faculty, graduate deans and department chairs, and administrative staff to ensure alignment with institutional goals and policies.
• Participate in committees, working groups, and strategic planning initiatives to improve the graduate student experience.
• Assist the Assistant Director with key projects by providing administrative support, including coordination of OGA programming, including but not limited to the Presidential Fellowship, GW graduate mentorship programming for faculty, graduate student research awards, and the development and implementation of new programs as they arise.
• Maintain and update the OGA website and manage social media accounts.
• Collaborate with other OGPA staff as needed to execute assigned projects.
• Organize content for monthly OGA newsletters to graduate students.
• Conduct research to inform new policy proposals.
• Prepare drafts of new policies and update existing policies as needed.
• Assist with policy-related correspondence across university departments and schools.
• Conduct surveys of GW schools and other universities as needed.
• Manage schedules for the Vice Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs ( VPGPA ).
• Take notes for Council of Graduate Dean and other VPGPA meetings.
• Manage purchases and expense reports.
• Coordinate travel for senior department staff.
• Coordinate the central Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Submission process including updating web resources, assigning submissions to school coordinators, and fielding student inquiries.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the assignment of other duties that are logically related to the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Higher Ed Admin experience preferred
• Technical proficiency with PeopleAdmin, Banner, and office productivity tools such as G Suite and MS Office
• Experience managing professional social media accounts
• Experience with Project Management tools
• Detail-oriented and possesses significant problem-solving skills and interpersonal skills. Has the ability to manage work effectively at high peak periods and the ability to interact with all levels of administration, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students. Has strong communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.

Hiring Range

$52,741.91 - $72,476.48

GW Staff Approach to Pay

How is pay for new employees determined at GW?

Healthcare Benefits

GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.

II. JOB DETAILS

Campus Location: Foggy Bottom, Washington, D.C.

College/School/Department: Academic Affairs

Family Academic Affairs

Sub-Family Program Administration

Stream Individual Contributor

Level Level 1

Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time

Hours Per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes

Employee Onsite Status Hybrid

Telework: Yes

Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search

Special Instructions to Applicants: Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status

Internal Applicants Only? No

Posting Number: S014464

Job Open Date: 10/21/2026

Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.

EEO Statement The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.