Student Leadership Advisor Graduate Assistant
Job Description
Student Leadership Advisors (SLAs) in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership (OSIL) may serve in Graduate Assistant (GA) appointments or as part-time staff positions open to qualified graduate students who have the capacity to maintain consistent in-person office hours to support OSIL operations and advise undergraduate student leaders. SLAs serve as primary advisors to undergraduate student organizations, playing a key role in advancing student leadership development, supporting event planning and execution, and ensuring alignment with College policies, procedures, and community standards.
Essential Duties Summary
Primary Responsibilities
Student Organization Advising
- Advise assigned 15-20 undergraduate student organizations and leaders (co-chairs; primary contacts; treasurers)
- Support leadership development, goal setting, and organizational effectiveness
- Guide student leaders through the OSIL lifecycle, including planning, execution, and assessment of events and initiatives
Event & Program Support
Support planning and execution of campus-wide events and initiatives, including: Orientation & Welcome Week, Student Organization Leader Training, Student Organization Fairs, Family & Friends Weekend, Late Night @ The Barb, Winter Carnival, Casino Night, Spring Formal, Late Night Breakfasts, Senior Week, and Commencement (if the employee is non-graduating). Provide occasional evening and weekend event support (within the 15-20 hrs per week as determined with supervisor).
Operations & Administrative Support
- Provide front-facing OSIL office support during scheduled office hours (min. 15 hours/week)
- Manage shared inboxes, phone inquiries, and student-facing communications
- Process and track student event requests and logistics
- Maintain organization of student spaces and materials (mail, supplies, storage)
- Assist with ordering and tracking event supplies
Financial & Budget Support
- Assist with budget tracking and expense reconciliation
- Support appropriate use of College purchasing systems and student activity fee funds
- Maintain accurate financial records in alignment with College policies
Policy & Compliance
- Maintain working knowledge of: Undergraduate Student Handbook, Student Organization Manual, OSIL policies and procedures, Working with campus SLC campus partners
- Ensure student organizations operate in compliance with College policies
Team Engagement & Accountability
- Attend and actively participate in: Weekly team meetings, 1:1 supervision meetings, Semester trainings and evaluations
- Prepare agendas and updates in advance of meetings
- Submit accurate bi-weekly timesheets on time
Office Coverage
- Maintain consistent weekly office hours based on academic schedule
- Serve as an accessible resource for student leaders and OSIL operations
Additional Responsibilities
Functional Leadership Areas: In addition to organization advising responsibilities, Student Leadership Advisors (SLAs) will select 2-3 functional focus areas during Summer SLA Training and serve as project leads throughout the academic year.
- Advise all Student Publications
- Advise Sarah Lawrence Activities Council (SLAC)/Student Programming Operations & Vendor Coordination
- Advise Student Space Managers (Teahaus)
- Advise Student Space Managers (WSLC Radio Station)
- Communications & Marketing (social media, newsletters, campaigns)
- Scholarships & Transportation (CityLinks, Tovah)
- Support Student Governance (Undergraduate Student Senate, Student Activities Subcommittee, and Class Presidents)
- Student Staff Coordination (CCAs & GEAs co-supervision)
Required Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree completed; graduate enrollment not required.
- Experience in student leadership, student involvement, student affairs, residence life, higher education, advising, mentoring, or related leadership development roles.
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, advising, and communication skills.
- Ability to build relationships with diverse student leaders and support student organization development across the academic year.
- Ability to respond calmly, professionally, and effectively in high-pressure or crisis situations.
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and student-centered campus community.
- Availability for occasional evening and weekend programming, events, and student organization support.
Preferred
- Previous experience advising student organizations, student government, programming boards, leadership councils, or campus engagement initiatives.
- Interest in pursuing or continuing a career in higher education, student affairs, leadership development, or student engagement.
- Experience with student engagement platforms such as Anthology Engage/GryphonLink or similar campus involvement systems.
- Experience working with event planning, budget management, risk management, and student leadership development.
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