Department Summary:

The University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) Student Center facilitates the educational and professional development of undergraduate and graduate students in becoming impactful leaders in the fields of environment and sustainability.

Summary: 

The SEAS & PitE  Student Center team is seeking applicants for a part-time role supporting first-year SEAS graduate students in the Next-Gen Scholars program to provide mentorship, community, and skill-building, and support to advance student success. This student staff position collaborates with graduate student participants in the SEAS Next-Gen Scholars program to provide mentorship and support, advancing student success. This includes the execution of responsibilities that include the following:

• Connect and build rapport with first-year MS/MLA Next-Gen Scholars to assist them in their transition throughout their first year of graduate school.
• Continue to expand support through outreach to second-year and third-year Next-Gen students
• Meet one-on-one and in groups with students to share lived experiences and assist with connecting to campus resources as necessary.
• Lead, create, and support events/programs, including creating flyers, handouts, newsletters, surveys, ordering catering, organizing panels, and creating calendar invitations.
• Coordinate opportunities to build community by participating and, if necessary, facilitating spaces where students can share thoughts and feelings about the things affecting their well being.
• Coordinate speakers for Lunch-n-Learns, professional development events where lunch is provided
• Maintain a database on student participation.
• Create student experience content for digital platforms (social media, blogs, video stories, etc.) in collaboration with the admissions/ recruitment team
• Participate in SEAS-PitE prospective student and applicant engagement in-person and virtual events and activities in collaboration with the admissions/recruitment team
• Participation in other events and meetings.
• Create initiatives to positively impact scholars based on student assistant interests as they arise
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule:

Summer Start Dates:

Virtual: early August 2025

In-Person: late August 2025

End Date: May 2026 

Students should be prepared to work a hybrid fall/winter schedule with some hours completed weekly in the SEAS & PitE Student Center, 1520 Dana Bldg—approximately 10-15  hours a week, including occasional evenings and weekends. 

To apply: Submit a Cover Letter and Resume/CV with the Subject Line - “2025/26 Application for Next-Gen Scholars Student Assistant Position” to Kimberly Lock at the SEAS Student Center: kalock@umich.edu

• SEAS graduate student
• Minimum 3.0 overall GPA
• Be available to work 10-15 hours per week
• Be familiar with campus resources (CAPS, ELI, Sweetland Writing, etc.)
• Cultural humility and the capacity to connect with students with diverse backgrounds and experiences through a strengths-based approach.
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Presentation, strong organizational, and interpersonal skills are required.
• Comfortable professionally working through team conflicts with open communication
• Ability to work independently, assume responsibility, and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to establish rapport with peers, students, faculty, and staff.

• Experience with MailChimp, Adobe Photoshop, and Canva is a plus!
• 2nd-year SEAS Next-Gen Scholar
• Prior experience with event planning/catering