The Office of Student Life relies on the leadership, creativity, and passion of the staff members who serve in a variety of positions that support to enhance the student experience at Ball State University through the office’s programs, services, and organizations.

Students

Our student staff members work in our office and, in particular, assist Student Life in supporting all recognized student organizations. Student employees will develop and strengthen the skills including: communication, organizational, motivation, flexibility and adaptability, interpersonal and computer skills.

All student staff positions will be posted on Cardinal Career Link when open positions are available. Questions about available positions can be emailed to us

Find a Job

Serve as a welcoming and helpful front-line staff member in our reception area in Student Life. Perform general office assistant duties including: sorting mail, responding to general office correspondence, answering phones, running errands, and completing miscellaneous tasks as assigned.

Work Hours

Must be able to report on time and work all hours in shift during University business hours. Staff members generally work between 6-12 hours each week during the academic year (fall and spring semesters with the exception of breaks).

Pay

$7.25 per hour

Required Qualifications

  • effective written and verbal communication skills
  • familiarity with Microsoft Office and general office activities
  • capable of multi-tasking during occasional high traffic time periods
  • ability to work with minimum supervision/self-starter
  • be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Ball State University
  • be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Ball State University

Preferred Qualifications

  • familiarity with the Office of Student Life and student organizations on campus
  • have a state-issued driver’s license

General Job Responsibilities

  • Answer phones and transfer calls.
  • Sort mail and respond to general office correspondence.
  • Process office paperwork including SVS forms, deposits, etc.
  • Support office programming functions like Homecoming and Angel Tree.
  • Aid in refilling SVS vehicle gas tanks (if applicable).
  • Complete other miscellaneous office tasks as assigned.
  • Adhere to all University and Office of Student Life policies and protocols.
  • Maintain a clean and orderly work area.
  • Maintain a regular work schedule and notify supervisor(s) of absence with as much advanced notice as possible.

Serve as a liaison to and resource for student organizations, connecting them to resources within the Office of Student Life as well as throughout the Benny Link System that serves as the central hub for all student organization operations.

This position will be responsible for the development and implementation of various outreach strategies to inform student organizations about Benny Link.

Work Hours

Must be able to report on time and work all hours in shift during university business hours and occasionally at events on evenings and weekends. Staff members should average 8-12 hours of work during the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters with the exception of breaks).

Pay

$7.25 per hour

Required Qualifications

  • effective written and verbal communication skills
  • basic word processing skills
  • ability to work with minimum supervision/self-starter
  • demonstrate involvement on campus and in at least one student organization
  • be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Ball State University
  • be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Ball State University

Preferred Qualifications

  • experience giving presentations to a mixed audience of students and faculty/staff
  • ability to communicate the value of co-curricular experiences
  • ability to engage students through social media content

General Job Responsibilities

  • Assist with tracking event attendance and be responsible for uploading documents in Benny Link.
  • Assist student organizations and their leaders in utilizing Benny Link through various outreach efforts.
  • Host student organization trainings and workshops for both new and current student organizations.
  • Support the student organization registration process by monitoring the completion of organization registration forms, advisor acknowledgement forms, and student organization training forms.
  • Run reports and complete system administrator tasks that support event/attendance tracking.
  • Work with Student Life staff to create marketing and promotional materials for Benny Link.

Work with the Office of Student Life and affiliated programs and organizations to develop promotional and marketing materials using graphic design, social media, and promotion techniques.

This position will be responsible for photography, filming, and creating original content using digital video utilizing Adobe Creative Suite.

Work Hours

Must be able to report on time and work all hours in shift during University business hours and occasionally at special events on evenings and weekends. Staff members should average 10 hours of work during the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters with the exception of breaks).

Pay

$7.25 per hour

Required Qualifications

  • effective written and verbal communication skills
  • basic word processing skills
  • demonstrated interest in digital social media
  • experience creating graphics, filming, and editing videos using software
  • experience interviewing subjects and shooting footage
  • ability to work with minimum supervision/self-starter
  • be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Ball State University
  • be in good academic and disciplinary standing with Ball State University

Preferred Qualifications

  • proficient using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Creative Suite
  • experience using DSLR camera for video and stills
  • familiarity with audio equipment and software
  • ability to engage students through social media content

General Job Responsibilities

  • Create social media content for Student Life’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that encourages engagement on each social media platform.
  • Work with staff to develop video content promoting various aspects of Student Life and affiliated student organizations with Adobe Creative Suite.
  • Develop and maintain annual marketing and promotions calendar for social media, website, and promotions items. • Attend events and capture stills and footage.
  • Create print and digital publications using Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
  • Recommend new digital communication ideas and content.
  • Adhere to all University and Office of Student Life publication and style perimeters.
  • Maintain a clean and orderly work area.

The Office of Student Life is proud of our long partnership with the Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education program. We value our graduate staff members and believe in offering them high-quality, intentional, and student-centered experiences that help them develop their own professional identity and skills and prepare them to be successful student affairs professionals upon graduation.

The graduate staff members who work in our office are integral in supporting our mission and meeting our office’s goals. 

The Graduate Assistant for Leadership Programs serves as program coordinator and advisor in support of the Office of Student Life (OSL) and its sponsored leadership initiatives.

This position will assist in the development and execution of the Excellence Leadership Program, Student Organization Leader/Advisor Workshops, the Beneficence Leadership Conference, and general Student Life programs and services.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Student Life and may be a one-year or two-year role. Annually there will be one to two positions available for incoming graduate students.

Position Responsibilities

  • Organize and develop all Excellence in Leadership (EIL) workshops curriculum and logistics including acting as a liaison with invited speakers, negotiating contracts and arranging all speaker accommodations.
  • Recruit, select, train, and supervise EIL Ambassadors.
  • Serve as an instructor for designated leadership courses by creating/grading assignments in Canvas and compile workshop/program evaluations.
  • Aid students in developing Social Change Projects that support local service agencies and the community.
  • Assist in coordinating an annual leadership studies study-abroad trip.
  • Coordinate special events, including the Excellence in Leadership Banquet and other leadership development opportunities.
  • Assist in executing a leadership curriculum for student organizations and student leaders.
  • Manage appropriate Benny Link pages including their events, rosters, and program attendance.
  • Develop content and manage multiple social media platforms.
  • Assist with OSL responsibilities as determined by annual goals. May include advising SGA, working with Summer Bridge Programs, supervise the Digital Communications Intern, or develop evaluation plans.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • involvement in a student or volunteer organization
  • an inherent interest in mentoring, developing, and supervising students
  • strong ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
  • ·outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships
  • willingness to work evening and weekend hours
  • excellent task, priority, and time management skills
  • demonstrated experience within a student organization and event planning

Preferred Qualifications

  • strong problem-solving and conflict management skills
  • demonstrated knowledge of leadership develop theories
  • experience coordinating and facilitating leadership activities, retreats, and programs

Remunerations

Graduate Assistants in the Office of Student Life will work approximately 20 hours per week. They are expected to fulfill all responsibilities on a weekly basis, so some weeks may require more hours to fulfill duties.

In exchange, they will receive the following compensation and benefits package:

  • graduate tuition waiver (in or out-of-state tuition)
  • graduate stipend (paid out bi-weekly during the academic year)
  • 50% discount on a two-bedroom apartment rent in University Apartments; rent is inclusive of all utilities, cable, and internet (a value of $3,550)
  • Ball State Bookstore discounts for books (10%) and other merchandise (20%)
  • eligibility for professional development funds from Teacher’s College and the Graduate School

Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies Developed Through Assistantship

The graduate staff member will develop the following skills, knowledge, and competencies as a result of serving as the Graduate Assistant for Leadership Programs:

  • conflict mediation – promoting reconciliation, settlement, or compromise between parties who are experiencing incompatible or opposing needs or wishes
  • group dynamics– interacting effectively within small groups of people who have unifying relationships to each other
  • instruction/programming – effectively imparting knowledge or information in educational contexts
  • advising – giving recommendations to others to help them make a decision or plan a course of conduct.
  • working effectively with diverse and/or underrepresented populations – working effectively with diverse subgroups of students, faculty and staff
  • management – skillfully directing or implementing organizational tasks and responsibilities
  • problem solving – analyzing problems from several perspectives, identifying and evaluating alternative solutions, and implementing selected solution(s)
  • self-knowledge – understanding your own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivation, and how these affect your professional effectiveness
  • supervision – critically watching, overseeing, or directing activities or a course of action in an organizational context
  • utilizing resources – creatively employing or applying appropriate resources (physical, personal, educational, etc.)
  • ·verbal communication – verbally communicating information, ideas, and contrasting points of view in an effective and professional manner (including nonverbal forms of expression)
  • written communication – effectively communicating information, ideas, and contrasting points of view in written form

The Graduate Assistant for Service Opportunities will serve as an advisor in support of the Office of Student Life and its sponsored service initiatives.

This position will assist in the recruitment and facilitation of service opportunities and events for Student Voluntary Services (SVS), Cardinal Kitchen (CK), and Alternative Breaks Association (ABA) by working directly with nonprofit agencies in the community to develop and strengthen service opportunities for students, recruit students to participate in service projects, and general Student Life programs and services.

This position reports to an Assistant Director of Student Life, and is a one-year (SAAHE) or two-year (non-SAAHE) role. Annually there will be one to two positions available for incoming graduate students.

Position Responsibilities

  • Co-advise Student Voluntary Services’ Executive Board, oversight of Program Coordinators (PC’s), and in planning the Spring Recognition Banquet.
  • Advise SVS standing committees: Signature Events, Finance, and PC Life.
  • Assist with volunteer recruitment, orientation, placements, trainings, and referrals.
  • Coordinate and assist in conducting recruitment workshops and presentations for the campus community.
  • Oversee all use and functionality of GivePulse, Ball State’s volunteer management system.
  • Coordinate disciplinary community service cases in conjunction with the Office of Student Rights and Community Standards.
  • Ensure assigned organizations are in adherence to University policy and are managing risk.
  • Assist in coordinating the selection of an annual scholarship and award.
  • Coordinate external communication; maintain and respond to SVS voicemail, and email inquiries.
  • Maintain and catalog a digital library of service images involving Ball State students and community partners.
  • Advise the CK or ABA Presidents in weekly one-on-one meetings; and oversee CK or ABA Executive Boards.
  • Attend the annual ABA spring break service trip as the trip leader.
  • Assist with OSL responsibilities as determined by annual goals. May include advising SGA, working with Summer Bridge Programs, supervise the Digital Communications Intern, or develop evaluation plans.
  • Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • involvement in a student organization or community service project
  • an inherent interest in mentoring, developing, and supervising students
  • strong ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
  • outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships
  • willingness to work evening and weekend hours as a part of a flexible schedule
  • excellent task, priority, and time management skills
  • demonstrated experience within a student organization and event planning

Preferred Qualifications

  • strong problem-solving and conflict management skills
  • demonstrated knowledge about community engagement best practices and theories of service learning
  • experience coordinating and facilitating programs and events

Remunerations

Graduate Assistants in the Office of Student Life will work approximately 20 hours per week. They are expected to fulfill all responsibilities on a weekly basis, so some weeks may require more hours to fulfill duties.

In exchange, they will receive the following compensation and benefits package:

  • graduate tuition waiver (in or out-of-state tuition)
  • graduate stipend (paid out bi-weekly during the academic year)
  • 50% discount on a two-bedroom apartment rent in University Apartments; rent is inclusive of all utilities, cable, and internet (a value of $3,550)
  • Ball State Bookstore discounts for books (10%) and other merchandise (20%)
  • eligibility for professional development funds from Teacher’s College and the Graduate School

Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies Developed Through Assistantship

The graduate staff member will develop the following skills, knowledge, and competencies as a result of serving as the Graduate Assistant for Leadership Programs:

  • conflict mediation – promoting reconciliation, settlement, or compromise between parties who are experiencing incompatible or opposing needs or wishes
  • group dynamics– interacting effectively within small groups of people who have unifying relationships to each other
  • instruction/programming – effectively imparting knowledge or information in educational contexts
  • advising – giving recommendations to others to help them make a decision or plan a course of conduct.
  • working effectively with diverse and/or underrepresented populations – working effectively with diverse subgroups of students, faculty and staff
  • management – skillfully directing or implementing organizational tasks and responsibilities
  • problem solving – analyzing problems from several perspectives, identifying and evaluating alternative solutions, and implementing selected solution(s)
  • self-knowledge – understanding your own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivation, and how these affect your professional effectiveness
  • supervision – critically watching, overseeing, or directing activities or a course of action in an organizational context
  • utilizing resources – creatively employing or applying appropriate resources (physical, personal, educational, etc.)
  • ·verbal communication – verbally communicating information, ideas, and contrasting points of view in an effective and professional manner (including nonverbal forms of expression)
  • written communication – effectively communicating information, ideas, and contrasting points of view in written form

 

The Graduate Assistant for Diversity and Equity Initiatives serves as an advisor in support of the Office of Student Life and its sponsored multicultural student organizations.

This position will assist in the advocacy, accountability, and success of the Asian American Student Association (AASA), Black Student Association (BSA), Latinx Student Union (LSU), Spectrum, and general Student Life programs and services. 

This position reports to an Assistant Director of Student Life and may be a one-year or two-year role. Annually, there will be one to two positions available for incoming graduate students.

Position Responsibilities

  • Co-advise assigned organizations and their executive boards (two of four: AASA, BSA, LSU, and Spectrum).
  • Ensure assigned multicultural student organizations adhere to University policies.
  • Attend weekly executive board and general body meetings.
  • Conduct routine, productive one-on-one meetings with executive board officers.
  • Advocate for student leaders and the missions of the multicultural student organizations.
  • Assist in the planning and implementation of various programs and events.
  • Support and challenge student ideas, their effectives, scope, and impact.
  • Provide mentorship and assistance in an effort to retain our students and their engagement.
  • Develop opportunities for students to aid in their growth, including retreats and workshops.
  • Attend and oversee delegations at student leadership conferences and retreats.
  • Advise student organization communication, including social media platforms.
  • Oversee paperwork, rosters, and planning and event calendars.
  • Assist with Student Life responsibilities as determined by annual goals. May include advising SGA, working with Summer Bridge Programs, supervising the Digital Communications Intern, or developing evaluation plans.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

  • experience and interest in student advocacy and supporting marginalized affinity groups
  • an inherent interest in mentoring, developing, and supervising students
  • strong ability to work as part of a team and autonomously
  • ·outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships
  • willingness to work evening and weekend hours
  • excellent task, priority, and time management skills
  • demonstrated experience within a student organization and event planning

Preferred Qualifications

  • strong problem-solving and conflict management skills
  • demonstrated knowledge of leadership develop theories
  • experience coordinating and facilitating leadership activities, retreats, and programs

Remunerations

Graduate Assistants in the Office of Student Life will work approximately 20 hours per week. They are expected to fulfill all responsibilities on a weekly basis, so some weeks may require more hours to fulfill duties.

In exchange, they will receive the following compensation and benefits package:

  • graduate tuition waiver (in or out-of-state tuition)
  • graduate stipend (paid out bi-weekly during the academic year)
  • 50% discount on a two-bedroom apartment rent in University Apartments; rent is inclusive of all utilities, cable, and internet (a value of $3,550)
  • Ball State Bookstore discounts for books (10%) and other merchandise (20%)
  • eligibility for professional development funds from Teacher’s College and the Graduate School

Skills, Knowledge, and Competencies Developed Through Assistantship

The graduate staff member will develop the following skills, knowledge, and competencies as a result of serving as the Graduate Assistant for Leadership Programs:

  • conflict mediation – promoting reconciliation, settlement, or compromise between parties who are experiencing incompatible or opposing needs or wishes
  • group dynamics– interacting effectively within small groups of people who have unifying relationships to each other
  • instruction/programming – effectively imparting knowledge or information in educational contexts
  • advising – giving recommendations to others to help them make a decision or plan a course of conduct.
  • working effectively with diverse and/or underrepresented populations – working effectively with diverse subgroups of students, faculty and staff
  • management – skillfully directing or implementing organizational tasks and responsibilities
  • problem solving – analyzing problems from several perspectives, identifying and evaluating alternative solutions, and implementing selected solution(s)
  • self-knowledge – understanding your own capabilities, character, feelings, or motivation, and how these affect your professional effectiveness
  • supervision – critically watching, overseeing, or directing activities or a course of action in an organizational context
  • utilizing resources – creatively employing or applying appropriate resources (physical, personal, educational, etc.)
  • ·verbal communication – verbally communicating information, ideas, and contrasting points of view in an effective and professional manner (including nonverbal forms of expression)
  • written communication – effectively communicating information, ideas, and contrasting points of view in written form

How to Apply

SAAHE Applicants

You will apply for one of our positions when you apply to the SAAHE program.

Apply to the Program

Non-SAAHE Applicants

You must apply and be accepted to a master’s or doctoral program at Ball State in order to apply for Student Life assistantships. Those interested should submit, via email, a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional (not personal) references.

Apply for a Position

Our team is comprised of professionals with diverse experiences in student affairs and higher education. We value collaboration and are committed to supporting student-centered practices and initiatives while also being effective campus partners.

Professional staff members who work in the Office of Student Life will gain experiences, skills, and knowledge associated with these NASPA/ACPA Professional Competencies:

  • leadership
  • social justice and inclusion
  • student learning and development
  • advising and support
  • ·organizational and human resources
  • assessment, evaluation, and research

Available professional positions will be posted on the University Employment Opportunities website.

Find a Job