Graduate Assistant: College Store Ambassador (2026-2027)

Graduate Assistant: College Store Ambassador (2026-2027)

Hobart and William Smith Colleges is accepting applications for admission into the Master of Arts, Higher Educational Leadership program. Our two-year Master's in Higher Education Leadership (MHEL) program will prepare you to challenge the current state of higher education and lead the change needed to support the next generation of college students. Courses encourage you to analyze and critique the history and policy of higher education, identify ways to build community for all students, and investigate and develop leadership and innovation techniques. Admission is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year for both Graduate Assistantships and admission! The program boasts a wide array of Graduate Assistantships which include tuition remission in the HWS MHEL program and an annual $20,000 stipend. GAs are also eligible for regional professional development opportunities and can apply for financial assistance for a national conference during their final year in the MHEL program. Priority consideration for this position will be given to applications received by March 1, 2026.

Come join a program and campus named #12 Best School for Internships, #10 Best Alumni Network, and #10 Best Career Service by The Princeton Review.

The College Store Ambassador (Graduate Assistant) helps create a vibrant hub for student experience, academic success, and community engagement in the College Store. Working closely with Campus Life and College Store Leadership, the GA supports day-to-day operations, assists with merchandising and inventory planning, and helps design a welcoming, student-centered retail environment. They partner to lead student staff training and scheduling, coordinate marketing and social media efforts, gather and analyze student and faculty feedback, and contribute to special initiatives such as student design challenges and community events. This position is ideal for a graduate student interested in higher education leadership, student engagement, and retail operations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Support daily store operations with leadership, including opening/closing procedures, customer service, point-of-sale management, and coordination with student staff.
• Assist with merchandising and inventory tasks such as product selection, restocking, visual display design, and tracking sales trends.
• Lead and mentor student leaders and employees by supporting training, scheduling, performance development, and cultivating a welcoming, inclusive service culture.
• Monitor marketing metrics, online engagement, and sales performance to help guide strategy around promotions and product mix
• Serve as a College Store ambassador at campus events, orientation, tabling sessions, and collaborative initiatives with various offices
• Identify opportunities to enhance customer experience, product requests, and service flow
• Coordinate marketing and outreach efforts, including social media, in-store promotions, and event support to enhance visibility and engagement.
• Gather, analyze, and report student and faculty feedback to inform decisions about course materials, merchandise, and service improvements.
• Collaborate on special initiatives such as student design challenges, pop-up events, and partnerships with local makers or campus units.
• Assist in developing assessment tools and metrics to evaluate store performance, student usage patterns, and contributions to the student experience.
• Contribute to the ongoing reimagining of the College Store by generating ideas, piloting new services, and supporting long-term planning efforts.
• Other responsibilities may be assigned as necessary throughout the semester.

About HWS

A liberal arts and sciences institution, Hobart and William Smith is known for consistent success in preparing students for meaningful lives and fulfilling careers through an outcomes-based focus on their futures. Our nationally ranked faculty are accessible teachers and scholars known for the impact of their research and distinguished by the depth of their mentorship. World challenges are studied in the classroom where critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are honed. In the field, knowledge turns into discovery. In office hours, plans are carefully crafted to tie interests and talents to an academic path that motivates beyond graduation.

Our location in the heart of the Finger Lakes allows faculty, staff and students to live and work collaboratively on the banks of a resource-rich lake. Student-athletes play for 30 varsity teams boasting 24 national titles, including the 2023 and 2024 NCAA DIII Men's Ice Hockey Championships. With three graduate programs, students can build on their undergraduate degree with a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership, Master of Arts in Teaching, or a Master of Science in Management. Together, the experiences and mentorship at HWS prepare students to lead lives of consequence.

Other Information:

This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefits eligible position. This position description is not all-inclusive as other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of one year of leadership experience, preferably in a related area
• Strong in-person communication skills and ability to connect easily with all groups of people
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population and enjoy engaging with people
• Student-centered with a collaborative, team-oriented approach
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Brings positive energy and a sense of humor to the role
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with individuals from different cultures or backgrounds

Terms of Employment:

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.00
• Employment begins August 1, 2026, and ends May 31, 2027

All Graduate Assistantships must be accepted into the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership at Hobart and William Smith Colleges as full-time students, as Graduate Assistantships have a maximum term of two consecutive years. Maintaining good academic standing, contributing in the classroom setting, managing their time effectively and balancing their schoolwork along with their GA duties is a priority for all parties.

Application Instructions

For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/179044