GA Pre-Professional Events & Programming Alumni Engagement Fall 2026Spring 2027

Title: GA Pre-Professional - Events & Programming - Alumni Engagement - Fall 2026/Spring 2027
Division Name: University Advancement
Department: Alumni Engagement
Campus Location: Normal IL

Job Summary

The graduate assistant will work under the supervision of the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement. Responsibilities will focus on events and program management. These will include but not be limited to:

- 35% Serves as Graduate Advisor to Student Alumni Council (SAC): attend group meetings oversee programs respond to student needs and questions to guide their development as leaders and coordination of programs assist students in creating timelines and checklists for their programs assist students in evaluating their programs. Must be available one evening per week for meetings (typically Monday evenings).
- 20% Cultivates student participation in planning and implementation of student-based Homecoming programs and events via Student Homecoming Committee. Attendance at Homecoming Steering committee meetings. Assist in development of sponsorship plan.
- 10% Oversees organization and distribution of promotional items for homecoming and commencement.
- 10% Prepares promotional tables (campus and community events): merchandize purchase organization onsite coverage and coordinate volunteers.
- 10% Engagement in professional development serving as liaison to various campus committees.
- 5% Recruit and identify candidates for Future Alumni Leader as part of Alumni Engagement annual award cycle. Include leading selection committee of campus and alumni volunteers.
- 5% Serve as the liaison to the Central Illinois Birds of the Last Decade (BOLD) Alumni Network.
- 5% Assist the Alumni Engagement staff with other events and projects as necessary.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$1510

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 Communication Sport Management College Student Personnel Administration Recreation Administration
3. The expectation for this assistantship is to begin working in June either as a Summer Graduate Assistant or an hourly student worker depending on course enrollment.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience working with confidential information.
5. Ability to interact effectively with individuals of diverse populations and ages to represent Alumni Engagement well within the University and external communities.
6. Must possess valid drivers license and reliable transportation.
7. Experience working with the Microsoft Office package

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience working with students and/or managing student programs.
2. Strong organizational skills ability to manage long-term projects and ability to deal with rapidly changing priorities.
3. Attention to detail and neatness.
4. Medium to high stress tolerance and ability to work with interruptions and background noise.
5. Experience to demonstrate familiarity with the University and community preferred.
6. Access to a personal vehicle for transportation.
7. Opportunity for position renewal following positive performance evaluation.

Work Hours

To be determined including various nights & weekends.

Proposed Starting Date

August 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List
Professional Writing Sample

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

Kellie Lanigan

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 .