University Life Professional Staff Development

Graduate Staff Academy

Graduate Staff Academy logo. Minimalist triangle with lines with the copy Graduate Staff Academy below

Graduate Staff Academy is a year-long professional development cohort for all graduate staff employed at University Life. The purpose of GSA is to provide a structured learning experience to enhance personal and professional goals of graduate staff, and develop a learning community.

About Graduate Staff Academy

Graduate Professional Assistants (GPAs) and graduate student staff (interns, externs, practicum, coordinators, etc.) work throughout University Life in various offices and units. The diverse experiences UL Graduate Staff members have in their respective roles provides a phenomenal opportunity for graduate staff to network and build communities with peers outside of their offices. Additionally, as graduate staff members are often emerging professionals, there is a great opportunity to provide targeted professional development to this group to build and enhance their professional skillset, regardless of their academic program. This cohort experience will meet monthly, and each session will have a topical focus to support personal and professional development, while providing the space to connect with each other and professional staff from University Life. 

Sessions run throughout the academic year from September to May. Participants are expected to engage and participate in conversations and discussions at each session. 

Program Learning Outcomes:

  • Participants will identify, at a minimum, one skill they have built upon during their cohort experience. 
  • Participants will identify at minimum two resources available to them in their graduate staff role. 
  • Participants will illustrate their experience in this cohort experience through a reflection activity at the conclusion of the experience.  
  • Participants will identify professional learning goals for the academic year. 

Program Handbook

 

For more information, email Wai Ling Fong (wfong2@gmu.edu) or Meeghan Milette (mharrin8@gmu.edu).