Graduate Assistantship - 0395-GAS20 Communications and Marketing

Department: Communications and Marketing - Creative Services
Graduate Assistant - Pre-Professional
20 Hours Per Week

Unit/Division:  Communications and Marketing 
Semester(s) Graduate Assistant is Needed: Fall 2025, Spring 2026

Name of Person who will Supervise GA:  Rose Throop

Supervisor Job Title:  Director of Creative Services

GA Supervisor Email: rose.throop@oswego.edu

Number of Hours Expected to Work Each Week: 20

Compensation:
Tuition: $2718 per semester
Stipend: $1200 per semester


Location where GA will Report to Work:  Office of Communications and Marketing, Suite 206 Culkin Hall

Job Description and Key Responsibilities including Virtual/Remote Expectations:
The Graduate Assistant will work closely with the Communications and Marketing team to support the rollout and management of SUNY Oswego’s branded Canva Team account—a cloud-based design platform used campus-wide for visual content creation.

This position is ideal for a graduate student with strong graphic design skills and a passion for brand storytelling. The GA will help develop visually engaging, on-brand templates for use by faculty and staff and serve as a creative resource across the university. Key Responsibilities Include:

• Design, update, and maintain a suite of branded Canva templates (e.g., social media graphics, flyers, posters, digital signage, presentations)
• Support Canva Team platform administration, including user onboarding and support
• Provide technical support and on-brand creative guidance to users
• Create support materials such as quick-start guides or tutorial videos
• Ensure brand consistency and accessibility across templates and designs
• Participate in brainstorming and collaborative creative sessions with staff

List any Learning Outcomes related to the GAs Academic Program:

• Develop real-world graphic design skills in a professional, fast-paced communications environment
• Enhance knowledge of digital branding and visual identity standards
• Gain experience managing and supporting creative platforms (Canva or similar)
• Strengthen communication, teamwork, and user support skills
• Build a portfolio of professionally branded materials used campus-wide

Any restrictions to the type of student who would be eligible?
To be successful in this position, the student should demonstrate prior experience with graphic design tools and methods. Proficiency in Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, or similar platforms is strongly preferred. Strong visual communication skills and an understanding of design principles are essential.

This position is particularly well suited for students enrolled in:
Graphic Design and Digital Media, MA

Students from other graduate programs with a strong design background are also welcome to apply if allowable by academic standards.

What behavioral expectations do you have? For example, what is your preferred communication timeline for a GA who needs to call out sick?

• Notify the supervisor by email the evening before or by 8 a.m. if unable to report to work
• Maintain professionalism, responsiveness, and initiative in communication and task completion
• Dress appropriately for a professional office environment (business casual)
• Be organized and self-directed in managing projects