The Placement Exchange Job Board

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Graduate Community and Experience Specialist to join the Graduate Studies Office. The Graduate Studies Office serves as an institutional navigation and information hub for students, faculty, and staff concerning all aspects of the graduate student experience shared across departmental programs and divisions.

With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, the Graduate Community and Experience Specialist works to actively engage and support graduate students through year-round, co-curricular programs and opportunities that facilitate exchange between students across departments and strengthen the graduate student community in ways that align with RISD's strategic goals of diversity and inclusivity. The Graduate Community and Experience Specialist will play a critical role in conceptualizing, developing, building, implementing, and engaging with the graduate community, serving as a key resource for students, staff, and faculty seeking guidance on campus opportunities, procedures, and policies.

We seek applications from equity-minded candidates who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Facilitate and update fall, winter session, and summer graduate orientations for all incoming graduate students, including the planning of summer transition/pre-orientation events, in-person and virtual information sessions, campus tours, and networking opportunities. Identify, coordinate, and actively engage with and graduate student orientation team members for participation in regular graduate student community meetings and activities. Coordinate with various campus departments and stakeholders to produce engaging and informative content that prepares students for the RISD graduate experience. Oversee and create content for mandatory online orientation modules such as Title IX training for the graduate student community.

• Utilizing knowledge of RISD's graduate student population, as well as trends in graduate education scholarship, build a cross-departmental community among graduate students. Recommend, create and execute programming that expands the academic experience, facilitates connection, and guides students to explore all the RISD community has to offer.

• Ensure the smooth and effective functioning and execution of educational workshops that complement the RISD graduate experience, including Syllabus Writing Workshops, Grant Writing Workshops, Written Thesis Support, Grad Show Digital Publication Training, etc., with tasks including but not limited to coordinating logistics and materials as well as advertising events. Actively engage and collaborate with Campus Exhibitions, the RISD Museum and web development team, the Fleet Library, Center for Arts & Language, and RISD Media to promote and build programming around topics of interest to graduate students that support their involvement in program opportunities.

• Oversee and grow the graduate community social media and other marketing channels in order to engage students and improve communications. Author and produce a weekly update to the graduate community to share key events, deadlines, and opportunities that are specifically relevant to graduate students. Collaborate with RISD Media to promote events and initiatives.

• Collaborate on cross-departmental projects with Graduate Admissions, e.g., open houses and recruitment efforts, by engaging in outreach and engagement with graduate students and program directors to coordinate and ensure participation in Graduate Admission events.

• Serve as point-person and liaison with RISD Student Affairs to ensure representation for graduate student population and to enable access to and awareness of relevant campus resources and opportunities (such as Health and Wellness, CAPS, Center for Student Involvement). Build visibility of the needs specific to the graduate population among campus offices and resources.

• Cultivate graduate student leadership and support graduate programs by creating or identifying opportunities for students to represent or advocate for the greater graduate community.

• Develop and implement tools, processes or systems to assess graduate student participation in and satisfaction with orientation and co-curricular programs, advising the Director on such efforts. Contribute to the establishment of annual goals, objectives, and action plans for the Office of Graduate Studies.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Ability to articulate and demonstrate the employment of diversity, inclusion, and equity in systems, policies, procedures, and services.

• Demonstrated ability to partner with staff and faculty to advocate for the interests and opportunities of graduate-level populations.

• Demonstrated attention to detail, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities

• Prior knowledge of or experience working in student advising and support services

• Previous experience working with diverse communities

• Experience with social media

• Bachelor's degree within the field of art and design required, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Minimum of two years of related experience with art and design education (to include experience in graduate level assistantships), or work experience in an art or design field or an affinity for art and design

• Appreciation for and awareness of the role that art and design plays in a global society. Ability to design, market, and deliver culturally inclusive events, activities, and programs, which engage and excite a graduate level student population.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in related fields

• Experience with programming or events within the graduate studies space, particularly within the field of art and design

Union:

No.

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year.

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt; Regular.

Grade:

12/AD.

Work Modality

Hybrid Eligible.

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.