Graduate DC Reads Program Assistant (Student)

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

 

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Most student positions at American University are eligible to use Federal Work Study (FWS) awards, with a few exceptions. FWS funds cannot be applied to janitorial, construction, partisan or sectarian positions. For information or questions regarding FWS funds, please contact American University's Office of Financial Aid.

 

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Department:

DC Reads

Time Type:

Part time

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

 Are you a graduate student passionate about education equity, leadership development, and community engagement? Join the DC Reads team at American University as our Graduate Program Assistant (Programming GA) and help shape meaningful service-learning experiences across campus and the DC community. 

The Graduate Assistant for DC Reads supports the daily operations, program management, and student leadership development of the program. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, advising student leaders, managing program communications, coordinating community partner relationships, event planning, and supporting Federal Work-Study operations. The Graduate Assistant will support curriculum development, coordinates program logistics, facilitates meetings and orientations, and manages communications with student leaders. The position collaborates closely with Team Leaders (TLs), Education Advocates (EAs), CLCE staff, and community partners. 

The Center for Leadership & Community Engagement (CLCE) advances educational access, equity-centered programming, and community-engaged learning through the DC Reads program. This work connects American University students with K–8 youth through literacy, mentorship, and enrichment, while also developing student leaders who are equipped with skills in social justice, community partnership, intercultural communication, and educational equity. 

Essential Functions: 

• Help plan new TL orientation in FALL and Spring with the Director.

• Book event spaces, tables, and rooms using AU EMS online scheduling and booking service. 

• Organize interviews with potential Education Advocates within the first weeks of a semester, setting up times during days and scheduling TLs to lead interviews. 

• Ensure that all interview materials are updated in Teams, and continuously refreshed. 

• Create a placement spreadsheet during the interview process that TLs and GAs fill out as they carry out interviews including important information about each EA.

• Plan and lead Team Leader meetings biweekly including icebreaker community builders, agendas, slideshow presentations, activities, snacks/food, and any materials. 

• Share materials with TLs to develop their curriculum and meeting agendas. 

• Communicate monthly with community partners to check in and ensure programming needs are met on both ends. 

• Plan and implement activities to engage community partners and the university community. 

• Work with the CLCE Director of the E&E program to develop a student leadership curriculum to engage TLs in leadership development. 

• Organize workshops, speakers, and skills builders for both TLs and EAs related to education programming, equity-centered work, social justice, leadership, and other important developmental skills. 

• Develop relationships with community partners with the Director. <