Program Support Assistant Jobs in Kansas City, MO

Position Summary

The College of Innovative Professional and Graduate Studies (CIPGS) is seeking a dependable, professional, and student-focused graduate student to serve as a Graduate Student Assistant supporting the college's front office, student services, residency activities, and special projects. This person will serve as one of the first points of contact for students, prospective students, faculty, staff, and visitors who come to the CIPGS office. The position requires someone who is welcoming and approachable while also able to work independently, exercise good judgment, and recognize when a question or concern should be directed to a member of the CIPGS staff.

In addition to front-office responsibilities, the graduate assistant will support activities associated with CIPGS's high- and low-residency programs. Responsibilities may include assisting with student arrival and check-in, intake activities, preparing materials and packets, setting up meeting spaces, greeting students and faculty, and providing logistical support during residency activities.

The position will also provide opportunities to assist with college and program projects based on the student's skills, knowledge, and interests and the needs of the college. These projects may include administrative support, event preparation, communications, data organization, research, or other activities that contribute to the work of CIPGS.

The ideal candidate is friendly without needing to be constantly supervised, confident enough to help people find answers, and thoughtful enough to know when to ask for help. The student should enjoy interacting with people, pay attention to details, and be willing to step away from routine front-office responsibilities to contribute to projects and activities that support CIPGS.

 Responsibilities:

• Serve as a welcoming and professional first point of contact for current and prospective graduate students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the CIPGS office.
• Provide basic information and directions and help students and visitors connect with the appropriate CIPGS staff member or university office.
• Assist students with navigating university resources and systems.
• Help students understand where to go or whom to contact when questions fall outside the scope of the graduate assistant's responsibilities.
• Maintain an organized, welcoming, and professional front-office environment.
• Assist with routine administrative and office tasks as needed.
• Assist with preparation for high- and low-residency activities.
• Help prepare student packets, materials, meeting spaces, and other resources.
• Assist with student arrival, check-in, and intake activities.
• Greet and assist students participating in residency activities.
• Provide logistical support to faculty and staff during residency events and meetings.
• Assist with other activities designed to create a welcoming and well-organized experience for residency students.
• Assist CIPGS faculty and staff with special projects and initiatives.
• Contribute to programmatic or college-level projects based on the student's skills, knowledge, and interests.
• Assist with event preparation, communications, data organization, research, or other projects as assigned.
• Handle student, faculty, program, and institutional information in accordance with university confidentiality, FERPA, and data privacy expectations.
• Identify appropriate tasks and take initiative during periods when front-office activity is limited.
• Performs additional job-related duties and responsibilities as requested.

 Qualifications:

• Admitted to and enrolled in an Avila University graduate program. 
• Current Avila University student in good academic and conduct standing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Professional, welcoming, and comfortable interacting with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate judgment.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Reliable and able to manage responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable learning and using university technology and systems.

Successful candidates should showcase their work and experience in contributing to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

The Community:

Kansas City, a two-state metropolitan area with a population of nearly two million, offers a wide variety of cultural, educational and social life opportunities.  Avila University, a Catholic university founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.

Additional Employment Information:

Avila University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of, sex, race, religion, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran's status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.  

You must be at least 18 years of age to be employed by Avila University.

All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9)” and produce requested documentation after employment.

In compliance with the Higher Education Amendments of 1998, the university's annual security and crime statistics report is available at https://www.avila.edu/campus-resources/campus-safety. A copy of this report is available upon request from the Campus Safety Office in the Whitfield building any weekday between 8am and 5pm.

Avila University requires the successful completion of a background check as a condition of employment.