Graduate Assistant for University Advancement

About Us

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgia's Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust. UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more!

Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community.

Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Job Summary

As a Graduate Assistant for University Advancement, you will play a key role in supporting UWG's annual giving strategy through a digital-first fundraising approach. This position focuses on executing multi-channel donor outreach campaigns, leveraging video, email, and data-driven engagement strategies to drive participation and philanthropic support.

In this role, you will:

• Manage and execute digital fundraising campaigns - 50%
  Support the planning, setup, and deployment of digital solicitation campaigns using digital platforms, including personalized video outreach, email follow-ups, and targeted messaging.
• Segment and prepare donor audiences - 15%
  Assist with audience segmentation, data preparation, and list management to ensure the right messages reach the right constituents at the right time.
• Create and coordinate digital content - 15%
  Collaborate with student assistants to produce personalized video messages, stewardship content, and campaign assets tailored to donors, non-donors, and key initiatives.
• Monitor performance and optimize engagement - 5%
  Track and analyze campaign performance metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions; make recommendations for improving outreach effectiveness through testing and iteration.
• Provide supplemental outreach support - 10%
  Conduct limited targeted phone outreach and follow-up communications to reinforce digital campaigns and engage key constituents when appropriate.
• Serve as a representative of University Advancement - 5%
  Act as a student ambassador by communicating the impact of philanthropy at UWG and helping to build meaningful connections with alumni, donors, and friends of the university.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for a graduate assistantship at the University of West Georgia (UWG), students must meet the following criteria:

• Be fully admitted to a graduate degree program at UWG. Please note: Students admitted provisionally are not eligible for assistantship positions
• Hold a Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• Be enrolled full-time in a UWG graduate program during the assistantship period.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all previous and current graduate coursework and remain in good academic standing.
• Meet eligibility requirements for employment in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with digital communications tools, social media strategy, and content creation
• Strong written communication skills for donor-facing messaging
• Familiarity with fundraising or higher education advancement
• Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets for data segmentation and reporting
• Comfort with video content creation
• Experience in outreach or customer service
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Proposed Salary

• A monthly stipend of $1,000.00 per month
• A tuition waiver, reducing the semester rate to $25 plus mandatory fees while employed in the assistantship

Required Documents to Attach

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• UWG Graduate School Acceptance Letter

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Primarily work in an office or remote setting with extended computer use; includes use of digital platforms and video tools, occasional heavy lifting, and potential evening hours for campaign support.
• This role offers hands-on experience in digital-first fundraising, including campaign strategy, donor engagement, analytics, and content creation in a collaborative, innovation-focused environment.

Contact Information

For questions or further information about this position, please contact Mr. Jess Lassetter at jlassett@westga.edu

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of West Georgia as determined by the University of West Georgia in its sole discretion; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials, reference checks; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test. Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG). The Board of Regents prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from the participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.