Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree conferred at the time the graduate assistantship begins.

• A candidate for a graduate assistantship must be admitted to an academic graduate program at Kent State University unconditionally.

• Maintain good academic standing and must carry a minimum of eight hours of graduate credits during each semester of the academic year appointment. Appointees may not accept any other paid employment within the university during the tenure of their employment.

• Ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergency situations.

• Must possess strong customer service skills.

• Work both independently and collaboratively with others in diverse working groups to achieve common goals.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with students, coworkers, supervisors, and all RecWell patrons.

• Ability to positively create a welcoming environment for all and maintain a positive attitude at work.

• Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.

• Ability to approach students and create a welcoming environment for all.

Graduate School Admissions and Application Information:

• Preferred candidates shall pursue one of the following graduate degree programs offered through the School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration:  M.A. Sport and Recreation Management, M.A. Sport Studies, M.A. Hospitality and Tourism Management, M.A. Exercise Physiology, M.A. Physical Education Teacher Education; however, applicants interested in other graduate degree programs are also encouraged to apply. 

• Minimum GPA of 3.0 required for admission.

• GRE may be required (contact Graduate Coordinator of the appropriate school for more details).

• Applications for graduate school may be obtained from the websites listed below.

  • College of Education, Health, and Human Services: https://www.kent.edu/ehhs/graduate-programs

  • List of all eligible Graduate Programs: https://catalog.kent.edu/programs/#filter=.filter_2&.filter_5&.filter_6&.filter_47

Stipend and Benefits:

• $11,000 for a 9-month appointment (minimum of 20 work hours per week) paid semi-monthly.

• Full tuition waiver, up to 16 credit hours per semester.

• Assistance with health insurance costs (if necessary)

• Assistance with travel costs for professional related development

• Additional pay over summer breaks may be available at an hourly rate.

• Official University holidays off.

• Internship placement opportunities available.

Working Schedule: 

• Assigned work hours are based on student availability and we appreciate that you are a student first.

• The appointment start date will tentatively be Sunday, August 10, 2025, until Saturday, May 9, 2026 (end of appointment), with certain academic breaks off unless predetermined by student and supervisor. The position is renewable if in good standing.

• The last day of Fall semester Graduate Assistantship work is tentatively Saturday, December 14, 2025. The start of Spring semester work is tentatively Sunday, January 12, 2026.

• Additional pay over summer breaks may be available at an hourly rate. Winter and spring breaks are generally part of the student’s Graduate Assistant agreement.

• A set schedule will be created and shared at the beginning of the fall and spring semester for certain aspects of the job. These hours will also be assigned based on availability. 

• The Operations and Guest Services Graduate Assistant is expected to keep regularly scheduled office hours in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (20 hour/week minimum) during the semester.

• The Operations and Guest Services Graduate Assistant must be available to attend all staff meetings/trainings during academic semesters.

Supervisor(s): Senior Assistant Director of Guest Services and Marketing & Associate Director of Facility Management and Operations. 

Questions? Contact Chris Baker at cbaker5@kent.edu or at 330-672-0480.

Diversity Statement: Kent State University is committed to the creation and nurturing of a diverse community of individuals through inclusive excellence. Diversity involves recognizing the value of differences and the inclusion of all members of the community including those that experience discrimination or underrepresentation. This is a core value of the organization as we strive for a culturally diverse student body, faculty and staff that reflect the multicultural nature of Ohio, the nation, and our world.

More about Recreation and Wellness Services at Kent State University:

WHO WE ARE - We are committed to providing equitable co-curricular experiences through a culture of learning, growth, and well-being in a supportive, welcoming environment. Our staff includes programmers, administrators and more than 200 student employees all focused on creating an outstanding experience for the people we serve.

WHAT WE DO - Recreation and Wellness Services serves the Kent State University community. That community includes but is not limited to students, faculty, staff, and community members. We offer outdoor adventure programming, swim lessons, fitness classes, personal training, ice skating and hockey lessons, community sport leagues, paddling trips and so much more!

WHERE WE'RE LOCATED - We are located on Kent State University’s Kent Campus in Kent, Ohio, which is in northeast Ohio. Recreation and Wellness Services maintains several facilities across campus, including the Beverly J. Warren Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Ice Arena, Disc Golf course, outdoor courts, tennis courts, and outdoor sports fields. 

More about Kent State University:

Kent State University is the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report. Kent State also holds the esteemed distinction of being one of only five institutions in Ohio to be recognized as an elite research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. With eight campuses spanning Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center and academic sites in major world cities, such as New York City, Geneva and Florence, Kent State is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. Kent State is a national leader in award-winning student support services to graduate students.

Kent State University is committed to creating a community that is culturally and intellectually diverse and to attracting and retaining a diverse staff. We strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that respect differences, and are inclusive, welcoming, respectful and kind.

https://www.kent.edu/