Graduate Students
Graduate Assistantship: National/International Fellowships and Scholarships (NIFS) Office
The National/International Fellowships and Scholarships (NIFS) office, administered by the Honors College, helps undergraduate and graduate students pursue major national and international awards by providing information and direct support throughout the competitive application process. The NIFS office provides support to eligible students from across the University (Honors College membership is not required to apply) for over 20 competitive awards.
APPOINTMENT: Half time graduate assistantship for academic year 2023-2024 (20 hours/week), possibility of summer hourly work.
JOB SUMMARY: Helps recruit and support students applying for prestigious external awards by presenting information around campus, creating recruiting materials, leading workshops and attending campus events. Provide feedback on application materials and resumes. Assist with office administrative tasks.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist the NIFS Assistant Dean in identifying and recruiting students for National/International Fellowship and Scholarship (NIFS) awards.
- Advise, mentor, and support applicants applying for the range of NIFS awards.
- Attend recruitment and resource events on campus.
- Assist with advertising and marketing for the NIFS Office and awards.
- Plan and lead information sessions and workshops throughout the academic year.
- Coordinate student meetings, scholarship committee meetings, and other events.
- Assist with budget and travel arrangements.
- Create monthly NIFS newsletter marketing NIFS awards and other campus events and resources.
- Assist with large-scale program planning (e.g., NIFS banquet, HC Student Leadership Conference)
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To be eligible for the NIFS GA, the applicant must:
- hold a bachelor’s degree at the time that the assistantship is awarded and demonstrate a record of excellent academic achievement
- be a full-time graduate student or have accepted an offer of admission into a graduate program at MSU
- be a 1st year master’s student or 1st or 2nd year PhD student
REQUIRED SKILLS:
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Attention to detail and strict adherence to deadlines
- Strong communication skills with a broad population including students, and faculty/staff
- Ability to work effectively with students of varying levels of academic preparedness
- Experience delivering presentations
- Ability to work independently
- Experience using Microsoft Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Word)
PREFERRED:
- Graduate students in the College of Education, College of Business or College of Arts & Letters
- Experience applying for grants and/or prestigious awards
- Knowledge and comfort tracking quantitative data using Excel and Access
- Knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop
REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Cover letter (1-2 pages) describing your experience and why you are a good fit for the position
- CV/resume
- Name and contact information for one work reference
HOW TO APPLY: Email materials to the NIFS Office at nifs@msu.edu attention Dr. Janka.
National and International Fellowships and Scholarships (NIFS) Office
Michigan State University
434 Farm Lane, Bessey Hall, Room 186
East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
517-884-7650
www.nifs.msu.edu
