Employment

Graduate Assistantships

The Campus Recreation Office at Western Illinois University would like to announce the availability of graduate assistantships for the 2008-2009 academic year. Applications are currently being accepted for spring semester only. The opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in a strong academic program, combined with the practical learning experience of a graduate assistantship, provides applicants with a comprehensive graduate education. Graduate degree programs, which would be enhanced by an assistantship in Campus Recreation include the following:

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Other Graduate Degree programs can be found on the Programs of Study Page

Graduate Assistants

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities


Aquatics and Facilities Management

The Aquatics and Facilities Graduate Assistant assists in all aspects of supervision in the Aquatics Center in addition to responsibilities throughout the Spencer Student Recreation Center. Duties include risk management, scheduling, hiring, administering in-services, coordinating various aquatics programs and events, and evaluating lifeguards and training. Current lifeguard certification is required.

Facilities

The Facility Graduate Assistant oversees various operations of the Spencer Student Recreation Center and performs duties associated within the facility. This position reports directly to the Assistant Director of Facilities. Responsibilities include providing exceptional customer service, utilizing conflict resolution skills, responding to injuries, supervising students, implementing risk management procedures, enforcing policies, hiring and training student employees, and facility scheduling.

Fitness

The Fitness Graduate Assistant coordinates the fitness sessions including the hiring, training, and scheduling of instructors. Other responsibilities include scheduling clients for personal training, preparing and administering in-services, assist in teaching the in-house training courses for personal trainers and fitness instructors, planning fitness programs, providing students with healthy lifestyle information, and continuing cooperative programs with University offices. Background in Exercise Science, Health Wellness or Nutrition preferred.

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Intramural Sports

The Intramural Sports Graduate Assistant develops, organizes, and administers more than 40 individual, dual, and team sport events. Other responsibilities include recruiting, training, and evaluating supervisors and officials. The Graduate Assistant will aid in developing leadership opportunities for these employees, assisting the Western Illinois Officials’ Association, and developing University relations. Official’s certification preferred.

Design and Publications

The Design and Publications Graduate Assistant develops marketing and promotional materials and publications for Campus Recreation. Projects will include, but are not limited to promotional flyers, newsletters, posters, postcards, t-shirts, media advertising, simple website updates, and informational brochures to keep students and the campus community informed about the Aquatics, Intramurals, Facilities, Fitness, and Sport Clubs programs, services, and events in Campus Recreation. Desired qualities include knowledge of Adobe CS3, innovative and creative sense of design, and organizational skills. This position supervises graphic design students and manages the project schedule.

Special Events

The Special Events Graduate Assistant develops, organizes, and implements 4 to 6 Special Events, which are promoted through various marketing materials. This position requires the comprehensive planning and organization of each event from inception to conclusion, including the supervision of participants and volunteers.

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Graduate Assistantship Requirements

Candidates must have completed requirements for a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution and have been regularly accepted into a graduate degree program at Western Illinois University. A 3.0 GPA or higher is preferred. Additionally, candidates must have on file in the Graduate School an assistantship application, a statement of personal goals, and three recommendation letters. Desired qualities include previous experience with activity/event programming and/or leadership development, strong interpersonal and communications skills, and a sincere interest in assisting students’ growth and development.


Compensation

Graduate assistants receive an $880 stipend per month for eight months plus a tuition waiver for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

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How to Apply

  1. Submit the online application to the School of Graduate Studies electronically at the Application for Admission Page.

  2. Submit a non-refundable $30 application fee online by credit card with your application or mail your application and non-refundable $30 (make checks payable to Western Illinois University) application fee to:

    School of Graduate Studies
    Western Illinois University
    1 University Circle
    Macomb, IL 61455

  3. As you complete the online application to the School of Graduate Studies, you will be given the opportunity to complete an Application for Graduate Assistantship. You will also be able to upload a personal goals statement. The assistantship application is also available under Application for Graduate Assistantship on the School of Graduate Studies, Current Students page under Forms.

  4. To apply for a graduate assistantship in Campus Recreation, you must complete the Campus Recreation application/questionnaire and return it to the Campus Recreation Office along with your resume and a cover letter.

  5. Also, you will need to submit a request to have your Graduate Assistantship documents sent to Campus Recreation. Go to the School of Graduate Studies Homepage and click on Current Students, then Graduate Assistants and Request to have Documents Sent to Department.

For additional information, please contact the Campus Recreation Graduate Coordinator:

Judy Yeast
Associate Director of Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation, Spencer SRC 206
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: 309/298-1228
Fax: 309/298-3224
JA-Yeast@wiu.edu

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Western Illinois University is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution

Western Illinois University provides the high quality educational programs for a diverse student population. WIU is a comprehensive institution with a primary focus on instruction and an additional commitment to research and public services. Founded in 1899, WIU is a state-supported institution that recognizes its responsibility to serve the western Illinois region and the people of Illinois. WIU has an enrollment of approximately 13,000 students which includes 2,200 graduate students.

Campus Recreation provides recreational programs, facilities, and services to the university community with an emphasis on student needs. Our diverse programs, facilities, and services provide life-enhancing recreational opportunities for the physical, mental, and social interests of the students.

For more information see the complete policy statement.

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