Student Research Assistant - Data Analyst/Economics

About Us

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the Universitys mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgias Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust. UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more!

Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the Universitys students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community.

Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Job Summary

First, the chosen student would serve as an intern for the Center for Economic Education and Literacy (CEEFL). Second, the student would serve as a research assistant on the project: ¿Efficacy Study of Using D2L Discussions for Cooperative Learning¿. Third, the student will complete an independent research project and present their work at campus research events.

As an intern for the CEEFL, the student research assistant (SRA) would gain real-world experience in event planning, economics education, data collection and manipulation, and estimates of econometric and statistical models.

In September 2026, the SRA will be introduced to the research project, and will summarize academic literature on cooperative learning and student engagement techniques. Weekly meetings would allow us (economics faculty) to equip the SRA with literature sources, prompts and feedback to aid her/his preliminary literature review completion by the end of October 2026.

In November 2026, the SRA will also assist with the CEEFL-related tasks. The student will help coordinate financial literacy workshops, guest speakers, and outreach activities designed to improve economic knowledge among UWG students and the surrounding community. The student will assist with event logistics, speaker coordination, and communication with participants. The student will also have opportunities to interact directly with invited professionals and speakers to learn about career pathways in economics and related fields.

During December 2026 and January 2027, the SRA would be assigned to manage de-identified data from the research project on cooperative learning in online classroom. The data represents students¿ feedback on this educational innovation. The SRA would be assigned the task of summarizing qualitative data to identify trends. The SRA will be responsible for putting the data into R for analysis, and part of the student¿s role would be to learn how to use R and RStudio.

In February 2027, the student would then decide whether to work on this project as part of his/her SRAP or to pursue a different idea, so that (s)he can present his/her findings at Scholars¿ Day. If the student would rather branch out and pursue his/her own idea, we are fine to supervise any attainable idea that the student has. In the past, we have allowed SRAP students to pursue spin-offs of the projects which they¿ve worked on.

As part of their role with the Center, the student will also assist with organizing Analytics Day, an event that brings together UWG students, faculty, alumni, and analytics professionals. In March 2027, the SRAP student would help to reach out to potential alumni panelists, coordinate to help create the program, and e-mail potential attendees as well as help to create a registration form. In April 2027, the SRA will complete her/his project and present it at Scholars¿ Day.

Total Compensation is $1,800, or $225 per month. The SRA is expected to work 4 hours per each week, on average.

Required Qualifications

• Enrolled at UWG in at least 6 credit hours.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

Physical Requirements/ Working Conditions

• Being able to come twice a month to meetings at RCOB

Preferred Qualifications

• 3.0 GPA with more than 50% of STEM courses
• B+ in Statistics or Data Analytics

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Experience of using R to describe data

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 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.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individuals age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individuals protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individuals protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.