Graduate Assistant: Resident Director (2026-2027)

Description

Hobart and William Smith Colleges is accepting applications for admission into the Master of Arts, Higher Educational Leadership program. Our two-year Master’s in Higher Education Leadership (MHEL) program will prepare you to challenge the current state of higher education and lead the change needed to support the next generation of college students. Courses encourage you to analyze and critique the history and policy of higher education, identify ways to build community for all students, and investigate and develop leadership and innovation techniques. Admission is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year for both Graduate Assistantships and admission! The program boasts a wide array of Graduate Assistantships which include tuition remission in the HWS MHEL program and an annual $20,000 stipend. GAs are also eligible for regional professional development opportunities and can apply for financial assistance for a national conference during their final year in the MHEL program. Priority consideration for this position will be given to applications received by March 1, 2026.

Come join a program and campus named #12 Best School for Internships, #10 Best Alumni Network, and #10 Best Career Services by The Princeton Review.

This is a 10-month, live-in position with responsibilities in Student Engagement, specially related to housing and residence life. Graduate Resident Directors (GRDs) promote and maintain a positive living-learning environment by working closely with the paraprofessional student staff to provide residents with a holistic student experience.  GRDs are expected to work 20 hours during a typical week with night and weekend commitments. This is a live-in position (housing provided) with on-call responsibilities. Partial meal plan provided while campus dining is open.   Multiple positions are available.

 

Essential Responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision for 10 to 15 Community Assistants.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of Community Assistants.
• Conduct weekly staff meetings and one-on-one meetings with Community Assistants.
• Assist CAs with roommate mediations.

           

Housing Operations Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of visibility in the residential neighborhood that you serve.
• Tour residential neighborhood weekly to ensure residential spaces are maintained and work orders are completed.
• Assume full responsibility for opening and closing of your residential neighborhood each semester.
• Assist with room changes and key inventories for your residential neighborhood.

           

Student Engagement Responsibilities

• Participate in the first level on-call rotation to assist with emergency response.
• Serve as primary responder for low-level conduct concerns within your Neighborhood, promoting accountability, community standards, and a supportive residential environment.
• Cover a weekly front desk shift in the Student Engagement Center: Greeting visitors, answering phone calls, providing basic information about Student Activities and Housing & Residence Life.
• Plan and implement Neighborhood-wide programs and campus-wide initiatives on behalf of the Housing & Residence Life staff.
• Participate in all large-scale events hosted by the Student Engagement Center.
• Play an active role in Student Engagement/Campus Life committees.
• Work with the cohort of Graduate Assistants to create fun late-night events occurring in your neighborhood.

           

Other Responsibilities

• Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to unique social, cultural, and economic circumstances.
• Demonstrate knowledge for the Colleges’ educational philosophy and mission.
• Performs other related duties as required.

 

About HWS

A liberal arts and sciences institutio