Graduate Assistant for the Department of Liberal Studies

Kremen School of Education and Human Development

Position Overview:

The Department of Liberal Studies seeks students as Graduate Assistants. Appointments are contingent upon adequate funding. 

This position primarily works remotely.

The department reserves the right to choose the most qualified candidate for each position and to assign Graduate Assistants to the courses or duties that are appropriate for the department program and curriculum in any given semester. Due to staff and curriculum changes, appointments may vary, and no guarantee of employment from semester to semester can be made.

Anticipated Appointment Dates: This position is opened until filled. If you have applied and no other positions are available, you will be notified.  

• Spring 2026: January 15, 2026 – May 22, 2026

Hours/Units per week: Students can work up to 20-hours per week;

• 1-unit is equivalent to 2.66 hrs per week (40hrs x 1-unit/15-unit)

• No more than 6 units, (or not to exceed 7.50 total WTU’s in one semester, which equates to 20-hours per week)

Job Duties may include the following, but will be dependent upon the specific area to which the GA will be assigned, as well as upon the specific needs of the faculty supervisor.

• Conduct literature reviews on topics related to identity, disability, race, critical theory, and educational research

• Assist with qualitative and/or quantitative data collection, including interviews, surveys, and archival analysis

• Perform data analysis (e.g., coding qualitative data, statistical analysis, or theoretical application depending on research design)

• Support the preparation of manuscripts, presentations, and conference proposals

• Maintain accurate records of research activities, data, and sources

• Collaborate in weekly research meetings with faculty and other research team members

• Contribute to the development of research-informed resources for both academic and practitioner audiences

Qualifications:

• Minimum GPA 3.0; Applicants with a 3.5 or higher are preferred,

• International students must have a TOEFL score of 600 or better,

• Current enrollment in a master’s or doctoral program (education, social sciences, disability studies, ethnic studies, or related field preferred).

• Demonstrated interest in research on identity, disability, race, and/or theory

• Strong academic writing and critical reading skills

• Experience with research methods (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods); prior coursework in research design is an asset

• Proficiency in using research software (e.g., NVivo, ATLAS.ti, SPSS, R, or similar) is desirable but not required

• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines

• Committee to equity, inclusion, and social justice. 

• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel, Google Suite and applications, and Research Report Writing

• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively with faculty, staff and students from diverse ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic background,

• For those who have previously held a TA position at Fresno State, peer and student evaluations will be reviewed and considered as part of the selection process.

Application Procedures: The review of applications will begin immediately and may continue for next semester. The following documents are required to upload:

1. Curriculum Vita, or résumé.  Your Curriculum Vita, or CV, is the academic equivalent of a résumé.  It should contain your contact information, your employment and educational history, skills such as computer programming, familiarity with commonly used computer programs, as well as internships, awards, volunteer service, training and any other experience you have that is relevant to education.

2. Current unofficial transcripts from your undergraduate and graduate education.  If you have attended more than one institution, please copy and combine these transcripts into one document. How to submit your unofficial transcripts:  

   1. If you are a Fresno State student:  Sign into https://my.fresnostate.edu.  Access your Unofficial Transcript.  Highlight all text throughout the document, copy it and paste it into a word processor document, and save the document with your name somewhere in the file name. 

   2. If you are not yet a Fresno State student:  Most U.S. universities allow students to access their academic records online, in a way similar to the way described above for Fresno State students.  Contact your institution’s registrar to find out how to access your unofficial transcript and follow the process described above.  If you have transcripts from more than one institution, please copy them all and paste them into one document, as PageUp only allows one document to be uploaded into the link for transcripts.  Make certain that each institution is clearly indicated within this document.

3. References: You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references. The committee may request letters (do not upload letters).

Finalists may be asked for an interview.

Inquiries: Please contact Dr. Patrick De Walt, pdewalt@mail.fresnostate.edu

The California State University Graduate Assistant Classification and Standards

• Evaluations: GA's may be evaluated per CBA, Unit 11, Article 8 

• Salary: Each department has different salary scales. Please check with your department for your Base Salary. The monthly salary is calculated based on the Weighted Teaching Units assigned.

• Salary Schedule: The CSU salary schedule can be found here (Class Code = 2355 for Graduate Assistants).

• Assignments: Assignments are made by Department Chair or Program Coordinator after consultation with the teaching associate.

• Duties Form: Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement for Unit 11, a Duties Form (see Appendix E of the CBA) will be completed between the Department and Academic Student Employee. This form substantiates the jobs included for the department teaching associate position.

• The Graduate Assistant is a student position for those actively enrolled in a graduate program at Fresno State. Students are limited to 20-hours of part-time work on campus.

About the Campus

California State University, Fresno, is a forward-looking and diverse institution located in California’s Central Valley, known for its agriculture, reasonable housing costs, cultural diversity, and proximity to Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada.

The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land.

The campus is ranked 36th in the nation by Washington Monthly’s 2022 National University Rankings, and ranked 25th in the nation in MONEY Magazines 50 Best Public Colleges. The campus is classified as an R2 “Doctoral Universities – High research activities” university per Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Fresno State’s Principles of Community

These Principles were developed collaboratively by faculty, staff, and administrators. They exemplify what we aspire to be.  Find out more about our Principles of Community here. 

California State University, Fresno is an engaged University. We focus on broadening students’ intellectual horizons, fostering lifelong learning skills, developing the leaders of tomorrow, promoting community involvement, and instilling an appreciation of world cultures. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. Members of the University community are expected to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. 

Our Students

California State University, Fresno is committed to serving our students with a focus on inclusion. Fresno State has been recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI); an Asian American/Native American/Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and has been designated to the Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Other Campus Information

In compliance with the Annual Security Report & Fire Safety Report of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, California State University, Fresno has made crime-reporting statistics available to applicants, students, and employees online at https://adminfinance.fresnostate.edu/clery/index.html. Print copies are available by request from the Campus Police Department.

The person holding this position is considered a "limited reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017 as a condition of employment. 

California State University, Fresno is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and vapor-free campus. For more information, please click http://fresnostate.edu/adminserv/smokefree/index.html

California State University, Fresno is committed to maintaining and implementing employment policies and procedures in compliance with applicable state and federal equal employment opportunity laws and regulations. Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 prohibit discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the basis of a protected status: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition and covered veteran status. Fresno State's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring, and retention. We are proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.

The California State University System strongly recommends the COVID-19 vaccination and booster for all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) as stated in the revised policy effective April 2023, COVID-19 Vaccinations and Other Safety Measures. You can find more information here.