Graduate Assistant-University Advancement

About Us

Great universities inspire the very best in us. They nurture new ideas, fresh perspectives, and creative problem-solving. They challenge students to discover their passions - and to turn those passions into thriving careers that improve our world.

Columbus State University is exactly that kind of place. With exceptional facilities, ideal class sizes, and unique field experiences, our students have room to create. Here, every faculty and staff member is part of the educational process, actively mentoring students and championing each new step in their journey.

Located just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, CSU is part of the University System of Georgia and offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays (if applicable). Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!

Job Summary

The Graduate Assistant for University Advancement provides administrative, operational, and project support to University Advancement leadership and staff. This position assists with special projects, meeting and event preparation, research, communications, data organization, and general office operations in support of the University¿s advancement initiatives.

The Graduate Assistant will work collaboratively across University Advancement and may support projects involving development, alumni engagement, advancement services, the CSU Foundation, board and committee activities, and other departmental priorities.

Due to the nature of University Advancement operations, this position may have access to confidential or sensitive donor, foundation, financial, personnel, board, and University information. The Graduate Assistant must demonstrate a high level of discretion, professionalism, sound judgment, and respect for confidentiality at all times.

Responsibilities

Administrative & Office Support

• Provide administrative support to University Advancement leadership and staff.
• Assist with general office operations, organization, filing, scanning, copying, and preparation of materials.
• Assist with scheduling, meeting preparation, agendas, packets, and other meeting materials.
• Maintain organized electronic and physical files.
• Assist with special projects and departmental priorities as assigned.

Foundation, Board & Advancement Support

• Assist with preparing and organizing materials for Foundation, board, and committee meetings as appropriate.
• Support Advancement projects involving donors, alumni, University partners, and community stakeholders.
• Conduct research and gather information in support of Advancement initiatives.
• Assist with maintaining accurate departmental records and resources.
• Protect the confidentiality of donor, Foundation, financial, personnel, board, and other sensitive information encountered through the position.
• Exercise appropriate discretion when working with documents, conversations, meetings, electronic records, and other non-public information.

Events & Engagement

• Assist with planning and preparing for Advancement meetings, donor activities, retreats, and special events.
• Prepare event materials, name tags, signage, packets, and other materials.
• Assist with event registration, setup, check-in, and breakdown.
• Provide professional and welcoming assistance to donors, alumni, trustees, guests, University leadership, and community partners.

Communications & Special Projects

• Assist with drafting, proofreading, and formatting correspondence, reports, presentations, and other materials.
• Support website and departmental information updates as assigned.
• Assist with tracking projects, deadlines, and action items.
• Complete research and special assignments in support of University Advancement priorities.

Data Projects

• Assist with maintaining accurate constituent and donor records through data entry, database updates, and data cleanup.
• Create and update mailing lists, event lists, recognition lists, and other reports as needed.
• Assist with donor and prospect research to support fundraising initiatives.
• Help prepare reports and data for fundraising, alumni engagement, and strategic planning.
• Support special projects and process improvement initiatives within Advancement Services.
• Maintain confidentiality of donor and institutional information

Accounting/Finance and Real Estate

• Assist with account reconciliations.
• Provide audit support by pulling files for the auditors.
• Support accounts payable (AP) function by entering payables.
• Create tracking reports to assist with managing Foundation credit card program.
• Create tracking reports to assist with managing Foundation real estate portfolio.

Required Qualifications

• Must be admitted to and enrolled in an eligible graduate program at Columbus State University.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities.

• Demonstrated professionalism, dependability, maturity, and sound judgment.

• Demonstrated ability and willingness to maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive or non-public information.

• Ability to exercise discretion when interacting with University leadership, donors, trustees, alumni, and external constituents.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

• Ability to represent Columbus State University and University Advancement professionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous administrative, office, communications, event planning, nonprofit, fundraising, or higher education experience.

• Strong writing, proofreading, research, analytical, and organizational skills.

• Experience working in an environment involving confidential or sensitive information.

• Comfortable interacting professionally with senior University leadership and external constituents.

• Experience with Microsoft 365 and collaborative document-management systems.

Proposed Salary

Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Contact Information

If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 706-507-8920 or e-mail to hr@columbusstate.edu.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Excellence: Actively engaging outstanding methods in teaching, academic discovery, creative pursuits, student success, cultural enrichment and the overall campus community.

Creativity: Pursuing distinction through inquiry and innovation, challenging convention and focusing on solutions.

Engagement: Dynamic civic involvement and participation of students, faculty, staff and alumni in the university experience.

Sustainability: Advancing fiscal responsibility, well-being, innovation, lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.

Inclusion: Cultivating and championing a campus environment that welcomes diverse backgrounds, ideas, perspectives and practices.

Servant Leadership: Leading through ethical empowerment and service.

Conditions of Employment

All selected candidates are required to submit and successfully pass a background investigation to include reference checks and verification of academic credentials (if applicable). Other additional requirements may be required based upon specific position duties:

• A credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage;

• Pre-employment drug testing for positions with high-risk responsibilities.

• Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive a Columbus State University fleet vehicle or other vehicle designated as a fleet vehicle. A successful drug screening will be required as a condition of employment a randomly thereafter.

• Applicants for positions of trust may be asked to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment. *

For Faculty Hires: Final candidates will be required to provide proof of completed academic degree(s) as well as post-secondary coursework in the form of original transcript(s). Those candidates trained by a foreign institution will also be required to provide an educational/credential evaluation.

All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond. Additionally, all members of the USG community must adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values must also be aware of and comply with the Board of Regents policies on Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of Columbus State University to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.