GA Pre-Professional - First Star ISU Academy - Social Work - Fall 2025/ Spring 2026
GA Pre-Professional - First Star ISU Academy - Social Work - Fall 2025/ Spring 2026
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Job Description
GA Pre-Professional - First Star ISU Academy - Social Work - Fall 2025/ Spring 2026
Work type: On Campus
Location: Normal Illinois
Title: GA Pre-Professional - First Star ISU Academy - Social Work - Fall 2025/ Spring 2026
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: School of Social Work
Campus Location: Normal IL
Job Summary
The First Star ISU Academy is a college-preparatory program for high school foster youth with the aim of preparing for successful matriculation into 2- or 4-year colleges and universities. The Academy strives to keep youth on track for high school graduation prepare them for higher education and equip them with the skills to successfully transition to adulthood. The youth referred to as Scholars spend two-weeks living on the university campus (Summer Immersion Program) and they return one Saturday per month during the school year (Saturday Academies). While on campus the Scholars attend academic classes participate in life skills workshops and explore college life.
First Star Graduate Assistants (GSs) receive hands-on experiences that enhance their understanding of youth receiving foster care services as well as social community and political issues affecting this population. GAs play a critical role in the success of the Academy and are expected to build on their foundational knowledge (i.e. practice and theories) while interacting with scholars caregivers and caseworkers.
GAs are exposed to legal concepts and procedures social work values and principles case management community engagement and overall programming. Regular documentation (i.e. contact logs and scholar files) reflection and supervision is an internship requirement to further develop personal growth and awareness of values attitudes and beliefs. Ultimately First Star Academy GAs serves as a supportive and caring staff member models appropriate and collegiate behavior co-facilitates college prep or life skills workshops tutors the Scholars and encourages successful learning practices.
GAs are expected to work approximately 10 hours per week some evening and weekend hours required for monthly Saturday Academies.
Job Responsibilities:
- Design and co-facilitate life skills college prep workshops and team-building activities
- Assist with planning and facilitating Saturday Academies
- Supervise scholars during all Saturday Academy activities
- Provide academic support and tutoring to scholars
- Lead small group reflections and enrichment
- Assist with service learning activities
- Scholar mentorship
- Case management and check-ins
Provide one-on-one social emotional supports
Connect with Scholars
Connect with caregivers caseworkers and school personnel
- Case Staffings
- Complete administrative tasks as needed
Research assistance writing and Literature reviews
Scholar Resource Packets
Donations request
Program presentations
- Work collaboratively with other staff
- Ensure compliance with the Academy and universitys code of conduct
- Prepare for and actively participate in staff training meetings and supervisory conferences
- Model appropriate behavior for Scholars and others including productive study habits cleanliness punctuality language choice and personal representation
- Maintain positive relationships with Academy staff university staff and the scholars caregivers and social workers
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
$755 monthly stipend
Required Qualifications
1. Eligible for appointment as per the requirements in the Graduate Assistant Handbook which can be found at Must be a degree seeking graduate student at Illinois State University in Social Work Human Behavior Education Psychology or Counseling.
3. Previous experience in recreation a camp setting or other work experience with youth in a group setting preferred
4. Ability to work as a team member with Academy staff interns and campus staff.
5. Must be a creative thinker responsible reliable friendly enthusiastic patient and willing to learn
6. Demonstrate strong organization time management written oral and interpersonal skills
7. Ability to work independently with strong computer knowledge and competence
8. Ability to demonstrate leadership take initiative and meet deadlines
9. Preference given to students who have experienced foster care
Work Hours
TBD
Proposed Starting Date
August 2025
Required Applicant Documents
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Reference List
Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on Apply
Special Instructions for Applicants
Benefits for Graduate Assistants can be found in the Graduate Assistant Handbook.
Note: If you have not yet been assigned a University ID but are interested in applying for this graduate assistantship please proceed with the graduate assistant application process. For the first question regarding your University ID simply enter in nine (9) zeros (e.g.).
You must be eligible for employment in the United States and at Illinois State University and/or for the number of hours required for the position.
Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held. International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work up to 28 hours per week when the university is not in session. Please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services for guidance on visa restrictions on work hours. The University cannot grant exceptions to visa status rules/laws.
Contact Information for Applicants
Ms. Tameka Thompson Academy Director
Dr. Deneca Avant Executive Director
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable an employment history review based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin disability or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at . The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system please call Human Resources at .
Department
School of Social WorkFirst Star Graduate Assistants (GSs) receive hands-on experiences that enhance their understanding of youth receiving foster care services as well as social community and political issues affecting this population. GAs play a critical role in the success of the Academy and are expected to build on their foundational social work knowledge (i.e. practice and theories) and apply course content while interacting with scholars caregivers and caseworkers.
Current Opportunities
Department
School of Social WorkFirst Star Graduate Assistants (GSs) receive hands-on experiences that enhance their understanding of youth receiving foster care services as well as social community and political issues affecting this population. GAs play a critical role in the success of the Academy and are expected to build on their foundational social work knowledge (i.e. practice and theories) and apply course content while interacting with scholars caregivers and caseworkers.
Required Experience:
Unclear Seniority
Employment Type
Full Time
