Student Success Blog

Undergraduate Research Assistant Position with INTO Mason 

INTO Mason is hiring an Undergraduate Research Assistant to support a curriculum development grant seeking to: 

  • Integrate and align civic engagement and antiracist and inclusive excellence (ARIE) learning goals throughout the undergraduate International Pathways curriculum  
  • Redesign key courses to ensure that they suit the linguistic and cultural needs of Pathway students and Direct Entry international students at both Fairfax and Mason Korea campuses  

The changes we propose within and across these courses would result in a well-scaffolded, intentional integration of learning outcomes related to civic engagement, antiracism, inclusion, and equity, with materials and activities designed to meet the needs of international students and multilingual learners. With the curricular changes we propose, international students would be prepared to engage more fully in campus and community life and conversations around antiracism and inclusion.  

The undergraduate RA would work from August 2023 – June 2024, on the following tasks:  

  • Independently researching diverse art, literature, music and other media from diverse cultural groups in the U.S.  
  • Organizing and summarizing research   
  • Researching and developing culturally and linguistically appropriate course materials  
  • Testing course materials and activities as well as survey or interview questions  
  • Recruiting research participants  
  • Conducting interviews, observations, or other data collection  

Requirements:  

  • Strong interest in Social Sciences, History, Literature, Art, or Education  
  • Ability to work well independently  
  • Strong research, organization, and communication skills  
  • Excellent attention to detail  

Pay: $15/hour, maximum of $4000/semester  

Instructions:  

  1. Submit CV and Cover Letter to [email protected] or on Handshake  
  1. Submit 2-3 minute video explaining your interest and fit for this position: https://flip.com/b1236cee  (Join code: b1236cee) 

VCLA Writing Preparation Workshops

Student's hand writing in a VCLA test booklet

In addition to the resources and workshops already offered at Mason, the Writing Center is now offering VCLA-specific writing preparation.

The VCLA is comprised of multiple-choice questions, as well as summary and composition writing. In an effort to increase scores and provide practice for the VCLA writing components, the Writing Center now offers two workshops to address each writing subtest:

  1. A summary workshop
  2. A composition workshop

Summary Workshop

Wednesday, July 12
5:30 – 6:45 pm

Register Here

In this workshop, students will learn strategies for completing the VCLA Writing Summary assignment. Participants will analyze the summary prompt and sample responses, identify features of successful responses, learn strategies for composing the summary, and practice some of these strategies.


Composition Workshop

Wednesday, July 26
5:30 – 6:45 pm

Register Here

In this workshop, students will learn strategies for completing the VCLA Writing Composition assignment. Participants will analyze the composition prompt and sample responses, identify features of successful responses, learn strategies for composing the composition, and practice some of these strategies.

Pre-Service Teacher Summer 2023 Institute

George Mason University’s ACE-STEM Project Team is excited to host Summer Institute 2023 in June! ACE-STEM stands for “Advancing Content-Integrated Education for English Learners with a STEM Focus,” and is a multi-year grant project funded by the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) in U. S. Department of Education. Starting Fall 2022, our Cohort 1 Teachers from Prince William County Schools began their 5-course studies to earn the Graduate Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) as a part of this project and are comprised of content and ESOL teachers from PK-12th Grades.

For ACE-STEM Summer Institute 2023, we are expanding the learning opportunities to pre-service teachers, in-service teachers, and educational leaders from our region. Through various presentations and interactive workshops, participants will learn about cutting-edge topics such as content-language integrated STEM education, Translanguaging, ChatGPT, Universal Design for Learning, Media Literacy, Family & Community Engagement, and more! A stipend of $100 per day will be offered.

If you are a Mason student and a PRE-SERVICE teacher, and would like to attend the 2-day event from (6/21-6/22), show your interest by completing the short survey using this link. Please email us at [email protected] with any questions you might have.

Feel free to check out our program at our website: ace-stem.cehd.gmu.edu/

Well-Being Opportunities for Students

Read below for two well-being opportunities for students in Fall 2023: Mental Health First Aid and Explore Resilience! Interested in enrolling in either or both courses? Visit Patriot Web today!


Mental Health First Aid

Enroll in a fall semester section of UNIV 372: Mental Health First Aid for 0-1 credit. Through your participation in the course, you have the option to earn a Mental Health First Aid certification. This course will help you become more familiar with a variety of mental health challenges and explore how stigma may affect help-seeking behaviors. You will also learn basic skills to help someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. 

UNIV 372 CL1 CRN 75998

  • August 24 – October 5
  • Thursdays 9:00 – 10:15
  • Online via Zoom with Katie Clare

UNIV 372 001 CRN 75999

  • October 19 – November 30
  • Thursdays 9:00 – 10:15
  • Fairfax Campus with Patrice Levinson
Mental Health First Aid Flyer

Explore Resilience in Fall 2023

Enroll in UNIV 170 or 370: Explore Resilience in Fall 2023 for 0-1 credit to explore and enhance resilience while earning a digital credential

UNIV 170 CRN 79137 or UNIV 370 CRN 79138

  • October 19 – November 30
  • Thursdays 12:00 – 1:15
  • Online via Zoom
Explore Resilience in Fall 2023 Flyer

Learn more at wellbeing.gmu.edu

Mason Korea GPA Position Available

The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) is hiring a new Graduate Professional Assistant (GPA) for Mason Korea Student Engagement! This role will serve in direct support of Mason Korea engagement efforts in Fairfax. Learn more about the duties, qualifications, and how to apply below!


Details:

The duties of the GPA for Mason Korea Student Engagement will be split between serving Mason Korea students who transitioned to the Fairfax campus and supporting OIPS Engagement Team with general international students’ engagement needs. The GPA will be responsible for the delivery and promotion of engagement and leadership opportunities for Mason Korea students. This position reports to the OIPS Associate Director of Engagement and Assessment, but is expected to work directly, as requested, with the Assistant Dean for University Life and maintain ongoing communication with appropriate stakeholders pertaining to all efforts related to Mason Korea.


Required Skills:
  • Enrolled full-time in one of George Mason University’s graduate programs for the Fall 2023–Spring 2024 academic year;
  • Strong ability to multi-task and manage competing demands in a fast-paced, dynamic, and diverse environment;
  • Exceptional professionalism and a strong work ethic;
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational skills;
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion;
  • Innovative thinker with the ability to take initiative on ideas and projects;
  • Collaborative team player with ability to remain flexible around office and programmatic needs;
  • Excellent computer skills in all Microsoft applications;
  • Experience with marketing and graphic design;
  • Experience with website, newsletter, and multimedia content maintenance;
  • Ability to get from building to building to promote and support events and services;
  • Ability to present, facilitate, and coordinate meetings and events as needed on behalf of University Life and OIPS.

Time Commitments

The GPA position is designed for a 20-hour per week work commitment. The exact schedule may be flexible, depending on needs of the unit. At times, the work may require extended hours and/or night or early morning, or weekend hours.


Compensation:

The Graduate Professional Assistant position will be paid a stipend of:

  • $18,522.00, will be paid on the 1st and 16th of the month for the duration of employment contract period;

Other terms for the position contract include:

  • Tuition grant up to the 6 graduate credits at the equivalent in-state rate, not to exceed $4,800.00 per semester; master’s degree students (with exception of MFA students) who are out-of-state do not receive in-state tuition rates;
  • Participate in the University Life Graduate Staff Academy each month, as class schedule allows;
  • The GPA position is a 9-month contract, August 10, 2023 – May 9, 2024, with the possibility of renewal for a second academic year;

To Apply

To apply, please submit a:

  • Letter of interest,
  • Resume,
  • Fall schedule of classes, and
  • Names and contact information for three professional references

via Handshake (posting #7862977) or to the address listed below. In your application materials, please include:

  • your G#,
  • graduate degree program, and
  • your expected date of graduation

For best consideration, please submit your application by 11:59PM May 25, 2023.

Address:

Dr. Yali Pan

Associate Director for Engagement and Assessment

Office of International Programs and Services

4300 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 20330

[email protected]


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