PACE Outreach and Access-GSSA for Fall 2026

How to Apply

Please go to

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and must be attached as the first page of your resume. The letter should address your specific interest in and fit with this GSSA position. Please include your University Department/Program affiliation and year in graduate studies.

Job Summary

Rackham Graduate School is seeking a Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) to work with the Partnerships for Access, Community, and Excellence summer programs (Summer Research Opportunity Program, Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars, and Rackham Aspiring Fellows) team on program development, assessment, and evaluation; resource creation and dissemination, and strategic planning for key initiatives. Assist in other PACE initiatives, including but not limited to efforts to support undocumented students, guidance of graduate student coaches working with undergraduate applicants, etc.

Appointment Period: Fall 2026 (This position is for one term with renewal contingent upon completion of performance expectations and available funding).

Estimated FTE: 50% (20 hours per week)

Compensation: This appointment provides tuition, required fees, stipend (at the GEO negotiated GSSA monthly rate), GradCare health insurance, and dental insurance (Option 1).

Number of applicants from last academic year: This position was not posted last year.

Course Description

Partnerships for Access, Community, and Excellence summer programs (Summer Research Opportunity Program, Michigan Humanities Emerging Research Scholars, and Rackham Aspiring Fellows) team on program development, assessment, and evaluation; resource creation and dissemination, and strategic planning for key initiatives. Assist in other PACE initiatives, including but not limited to efforts to support undocumented students, guidance of graduate student coaches working with undergraduate applicants, etc.

Responsibilities*

• Conduct literature reviews, document/website analysis, and benchmarking on relevant topics, including but not limited to, high-impact practices, SROP, MICHHERS, and RAF participant funding, and engagement opportunities;
• Assist with developing systematic program assessment evaluation across current and future summer programs-related activities in alignment with learning objectives;
• Assist with creating resources for summer program faculty participants and improving the faculty-student matching process
• Assist with identifying, summarizing, and disseminating best practices;
• Assist with summer programs, alumni engagement, and develop short-term and long-term programs and track alumni success post-program;
• Identifying opportunities for systematically growing and scaling programming;
• Designing of curriculum and other workshops for the graduate community on topics related to access and success for undocumented students.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed and are not an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities.

NOTE: SOME FLEXIBILITY OF SCHEDULED WORK HOURS IS REQUIRED, INCLUDING EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS ON A PRIOR SCHEDULED BASIS

Required Qualifications*

Applicants must be currently registered in a Rackham graduate program. Preference will be given to doctoral students who have reached candidacy. Students who are unsure if they are in a Rackham graduate program should check their graduate program listing in

• Basic data analysis and familiarity with Qualtrics;
• Excellent oral and analytical written communication skills;
• Demonstrated competency with modern computer productivity tools including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation programs;
• Ability to handle multiple projects with excellent attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in matters of a sensitive and confidential nature;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Reasonable knowledge of University and departmental policies and procedures, University organization, and University protocol and governance; and
• Ability to work as part of a team and capacity to exercise independent initiative.

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience with recruitment, student development, and emerging issues within higher education;
• An understanding of the challenges faced by underserved populations in higher education;
• The ability to work, problem solve, and make decisions with limited supervision; and
• Participated in or previously worked for an undergraduate summer research experience

How You'll Grow

The GSSA position will strengthen professional competencies in the following areas:

• Interpersonal skills, including active listening skills, and being able to communicate effectively and professionally.
• Development-identifying needs and formulating ideas.
• Evaluation-collecting/gathering information about specific components of programs to make future decisions, set appropriate goals, or make possible changes.
• Resource management-creating intended outcomes to enhance areas for improvement and measuring achievement of intended outcomes to justify the allocation of the resources used.
• Problem-solving-having the critical thinking skills to address situations on a consistently evolving short-term and long-term outlook.
• Collaboration-working with others cooperatively to reach established goals.
• Best practices in graduate student success
• Community-building in higher education environments
• Student should be able to present a proposal/paper regarding their experience at a local/regional conference in their field.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Contact Information

Questions regarding this position may be emailed to nunnr @umich.edu. Applicants may request the status of their application from the appointing unit.

Decision Making Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline, and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for the selected candidate; the selected candidate will also be required to submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting their acceptance of this position before the hire is finalized.

Richard Nunn, Senior Program Lead - Outreach Coordinator, is leading this search.

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by March 1, 2026.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline, and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for the selected candidate; the selected candidate will also be required to submit a letter from their academic advisor supporting their acceptance of this position before the hire is finalized.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at and for the University Ombuds at

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.

Job Opening ID

273060

Working Title

PACE Outreach and Access-GSSA for Fall 2026

Job Title

GRAD STU STAFF ASST

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Part-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Rackham Grad School

Department

Rackham PACE

Posting Begin/End Date

1/19/2026 - 2/02/2026

Career Interest

Graduate Students
Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GEO)