Harvard College has officially opened applications for the Graduate Student Assistant position under the First-Year Academic Programs office for 2026. The opportunity provides Harvard graduate students with valuable hands-on experience in higher education administration, student programming, logistics coordination, and academic operations while earning competitive hourly compensation.
The position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is connected to Harvard College’s First-Year Academic Programs office, which plays a major role in supporting students during their transition into college life. According to the official announcement, selected candidates will work closely with the Rising Scholars Program and other academic initiatives designed to improve student engagement, orientation, and academic success.
The priority application deadline for the role is May 29, 2026, although Harvard noted that applications may continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.
About the Harvard First-Year Academic Programs Office
The First-Year Academic Programs office at Harvard College is responsible for managing and supporting the pre-concentration academic experience for undergraduate students. The office helps organize major student programs such as:
- Student orientation
- Academic onboarding
- Visits programs
- First-year support initiatives
- Residential academic programming
One of the office’s flagship programs is the Rising Scholars Program (RSP), a seven-week residential academic experience designed for selected incoming first-year students.
The program combines:
- Interdisciplinary coursework
- Residential learning experiences
- Academic mentorship
- Community-building activities
- College transition support
For the 2026 cycle, the Rising Scholars Program will run from June 20 through August 8, 2026.
Overview of the Graduate Student Assistant Role
The Graduate Student Assistant will report directly to the Assistant Dean for First-Year Academic Programs while also collaborating closely with the Assistant Director of Administration.
The role provides graduate students with an opportunity to:
- Gain practical higher education administration experience
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Participate in student-centered programming
- Build project management capabilities
- Work alongside Harvard administrative teams
Harvard explained that the selected candidate will be deeply involved in logistics, communications, operations, and programming support for the Rising Scholars Program and other first-year initiatives.
Main Responsibilities of the Position
The Graduate Student Assistant will handle a wide range of administrative and operational tasks.
Key Duties Include:
1. Administrative and Program Support
- Supporting the Assistant Dean’s portfolio of projects
- Assisting with orientation and onboarding initiatives
- Managing logistics for academic programming
2. Program Coordination
- Coordinating student arrival preparation
- Creating name tags and information packets
- Preparing event materials and swag bags
- Organizing scheduling and logistics
3. Communication Management
- Managing the Rising Scholars inbox
- Drafting and editing newsletters
- Preparing correspondence and communications materials
4. Financial and Procurement Tracking
- Organizing receipts and spending records
- Assisting with procurement and disbursement processes
- Supporting budget and inventory management
5. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
- Working with campus partners and vendors
- Coordinating with multiple departments
- Supporting event planning and execution
Harvard emphasized that the position requires someone who can multitask effectively while handling confidential information with professionalism and discretion.
Qualifications and Skills Required
Applicants must meet several essential requirements to be considered for the position.
Basic Qualifications
Candidates must:
- Be currently enrolled as a full-time graduate student at a Harvard school
- Have administrative experience
- Be proficient in Microsoft Office tools including Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint
- Have experience using Adobe Acrobat and Zoom
Additional Preferred Skills
Harvard is looking for candidates who demonstrate:
- Program management experience
- Strong customer service skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Strong organizational abilities
- Superb attention to detail
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Positive teamwork skills
- Strong problem-solving capabilities
The institution also noted that ideal applicants should be solution-driven individuals who can work both independently and collaboratively.
Work Schedule and Compensation
The Graduate Student Assistant role offers flexible but demanding work expectations depending on the time of year.
Schedule Details
- During the academic year: 15–20 hours per week
- During summer: Up to 35 hours per week
- Occasional nights and weekends may be required
Compensation
- Hourly pay rate: $30 per hour
The role will be based on Harvard’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Harvard also mentioned that hybrid work arrangements may be possible after the orientation period depending on scheduling agreements between the employee and supervisor.
Application Requirements
To apply, candidates must submit:
- A resume
- A cover letter (maximum two pages)
The cover letter should specifically address:
- Experience managing multiple collaborative projects
- Examples of solving knowledge or skills gaps
- Ability to identify and use resources effectively
Applications and supporting materials should be submitted directly to:
Dawn Ling
Email: dawn_ling@fas.harvard.edu
Important Deadline
The priority application deadline is:
May 29, 2026
Harvard stated that applications may continue to be reviewed until the role is filled, but early application is strongly encouraged.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This Graduate Student Assistant role provides a unique opportunity for Harvard graduate students interested in:
- Higher education administration
- Academic operations
- Student affairs
- Program management
- Leadership development
The position allows candidates to gain real-world administrative experience within one of the world’s most prestigious academic institutions while contributing directly to student success initiatives.
Graduate students seeking careers in education leadership, university administration, nonprofit management, or academic programming can particularly benefit from the experience and professional exposure offered through this role.
Before final selection, candidates may also be asked to complete a technical skills assessment related to Microsoft Office applications and administrative responsibilities.
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