GPA - Graphic Design, MFA

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Job Title: Graduate Program Assistant (MFA in Graphic Design)

Department: Office of Graduate Studies

Division: Academic Affairs

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Associate Director, Office of Graduate Studies  

General purpose: Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs) support their Program Director to ensure the effective operation of their program. GPAs serve as graduate student leaders and work collaboratively with each other and the Office of Graduate Studies to promote dialogue, the exchange of information, and timely communications between students, directors, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Four (4) GPA positions are available within GDMFA beginning Fall 2025. GPAs who served in their first-year are welcome to reapply to serve a second year. GPAs are expected to commit to at least two semesters of service (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026). 

Summary of Essential Functions 

• Responsibilities as outlined below in Essential Duties & Responsibilities, Program-Specific Duties, and Focal Roles.

• As student leaders in the graduate community, GPAs are required to uphold graduate policies, procedures and standards. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Attend and participate in GPA Training, Graduate Student Orientation, Student Voice Association and Graduate Student Council Meetings and Town Halls, and regular check-in meetings with the Office of Graduate Studies, including a minimum of two (2) Graduate Studies-sponsored leadership development opportunities, workshops, and/or discussion sessions over the course of the academic year.

• Support the Office of Graduate Admission during Graduate Admission Open House and Visit Days.

• Communicate important information from the Program Director and Office of Graduate Studies to students.

• Resolve student and programmatic issues, concerns, and solutions in dialogue with the Program Director.

• Monitor your program’s shared spaces to ensure they are being used, cleaned, and shared in a responsible way; report any issues to the Program Director, Operations Coordinator, and/or MICA Facilities.

• Support Program Director with an annual series of programmatic activities including lectures, dinners, and hosting visiting artists and critics on campus. Related administrative duties including documentation of activities and updating the program’s social media and mica.edu website pages may apply.

• Support Program Directors and the Office of Graduate Admission with various tasks related to the admission process including arranging for prospective student visits of the facilities.

• Report technical issues to Technology Systems and Service (TSS).

• Report maintenance issues to the Operations Coordinator and/or MICA Facilities.
  GPAs will communicate clearly and courteously and respond quickly, maintaining sensitivity to the needs and cultures of individual graduate programs.

• GPAs will have a strong work ethic and must be prompt, focused, self-motivated, flexible. Must respond well to feedback and work towards a stress-free environment. 

• GPAs will be able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Program-Specific Duties:

• Help keep all shared GDMFA spaces tidy (404 + 406 studios, production room, documentation room, kitchen, 413 classroom) including requesting housekeeping services and enforcing good hygiene from fellow designers.

• Assist in coordinating Visiting Artist visits; meeting guests, arranging accommodations, and setting up classrooms.

• Keep track of supplies and make sure needed supplies are ordered in a timely fashion.

• Help to ensure equipment and pedestal orders are placed in a timely fashion for thesis exhibition.

• Report problems with security and housekeeping to GD Administrative Assistant and Program Director as needed.

Focal Roles

Beyond the general shared GPA duties described above, there are focal roles assigned to each of our four GPA’s that they will concentrate efforts on. As you consider applying for a GPA position, c