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Graduate Assistantships

The Campus Recreation Office at Western Illinois University offers graduate assistantships to WIU graduate students. The opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in a strong academic program, combined with the practical learning experience of a graduate assistantship, provides applicants with a comprehensive graduate education. Graduate degree programs, which would be enhanced by an assistantship in Campus Recreation, include the following:

Other Graduate Degree programs can be found on the Programs of Study Page

Graduate Assistants

Fall 2012 Campus Recreation Graduate Assistants
Front Row: Brenna Saline, Kyla Keefauver, Amber Bedee, Kristin Obert, Tiby Bonales-Gonzalez, Nick Waterman, and Ryan Tubbs
Back Row: Steve Dowhan, Suzie Farner, Kate Gossell, Nathan Pittman, Ben Blodgett,
Chuck Thomas, and Kevin Wilson

 

Graduate Assistantship Opportunities

Aquatics/Facility Management

The Aquatics and Facility Management Graduate Assistant assists in all aspects of supervision in the Aquatics Center in addition to responsibilities throughout the Spencer Student Recreation Center. Duties include risk management, hiring, scheduling, administering in-services, coordinating various aquatics programs and events, and evaluating lifeguards and training. Current lifeguard certification is required.

Facility Management

The Facility Management Graduate Assistant oversees various operations of the Spencer Student Recreation Center and performs duties associated within the facility. Responsibilities include providing exceptional customer service, utilizing conflict resolution skills, responding to injuries, supervising students, implementing risk management procedures, enforcing policies, hiring and training student employees, and facility scheduling.

Fitness Services

The Fitness Services Graduate Assistant coordinates the fitness sessions including the hiring, training, and scheduling of instructors. Other responsibilities include scheduling clients for personal training, preparing and administrating in-services, assist in teaching the in-house training courses for personal trainers and fitness instructors, planning fitness programs, providing students with healthy lifestyle information, and continuing cooperative programs with University offices. Background in Exercise Science, Health Wellness or Nutrition preferred.

Intramural Sports

The Intramural Sports Graduate Assistant plans, organizes, administers, and evaluates over 40 intramural events, assists in the recruitment, training, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating officials and supervisors for assigned intramural sport activities. The Graduate Assistant will also assist with the coordination of all aspects of the Intramural Sports program. Other opportunities include supervision of intramural activities, marketing/promotion, University relations, and student development. Officiating experience preferred.

Marketing & Multimedia Design

The Marketing & Multimedia Design Graduate Assistant develops marketing and promotional materials incorporating video, digital photography, graphics and social networking media. Posters, t-shirts, brochures, newsletters and multimedia projects are designed to inform students as well as the campus community about programs, services and events in Campus Recreation. This position supervises graphic design students, manages the project schedule, and implements social networking promotions within Campus Recreation. Desired qualities include knowledge of video editing and Adobe CS3 software, an innovative and creative sense of design, and above average organizational skills.

Outdoor Recreation

We are currently looking for an individual with outdoor programming experience to help us develop a new area of Campus Recreation.Primary duties will include planning adventure trips and other outdoor activities. This Graduate Assistant will have the opportunity to impact the future direction of this venture at Western Illinois University. Another area of responsibility will be combined with this position.

Special Events

The Special Events Graduate Assistant plans, organizes, and implements over 12 Special Events through Campus Recreation. Opportunities include leading the marketing/promotion efforts for each event; building a relationship/collaboration with local businesses and University groups to obtain sponsorships; recruiting and supervising participants and volunteers; and evaluating the event.

Sport Clubs/Facility Management

The Sport Club Graduate Assistant oversees all components of the Sport Club programs. The Graduate Assistant meets with club presidents and is responsible for ensuring that all sport clubs are in compliance with Campus Recreation. Responsibilities include scheduling monthly meetings with sport club presidents, depositing club funds, coordinating travel arrangements, and marketing and promoting sport club events. Excellent time management and multi-tasking skills are needed. Facility Management responsibilities are included in this position.

Graduate Assistantship Requirements

Candidates must have completed requirements for a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited higher education institution and have been regularly accepted into a graduate degree program at Western Illinois University. A 3.0 GPA or higher is preferred. Additionally, candidates must have on file in the Graduate School an assistantship application, a statement of personal goals, and three recommendation letters. Desired qualities include previous experience with activity/event programming and/or leadership development, strong interpersonal and communications skills, and a sincere interest in assisting students’ growth and development.

Compensation

Graduate assistants receive an $910 stipend per month for eight months plus a tuition waiver for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

How to Apply

  1. Submit the online application to the School of Graduate Studies electronically at the Application for Admission Page.
  2. Submit a non-refundable $30 application fee online by credit card with your application or mail your application and non-refundable $30 (make checks payable to Western Illinois University) application fee to:

    School of Graduate Studies
    Western Illinois University
    1 University Circle
    Macomb, IL 61455
  3. As you complete the online application to the School of Graduate Studies, you will be given the opportunity to complete an Application for Graduate Assistantship. You will also be able to upload a personal goals statement. The assistantship application is also available under Application for Graduate Assistantship on the School of Graduate Studies, Current Students page under Forms.
  4. To apply for a graduate assistantship in Campus Recreation, you must complete the Campus Recreation application/questionnaire and return it to the Campus Recreation Office in the Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center along with your resume and a cover letter.
  5. Also, you will need to submit a request to have your Graduate Assistantship documents sent to Campus Recreation. Go to the School of Graduate Studies Homepage and click on Current Students, then Graduate Assistants and Request to have Documents Sent to Department.

For additional information, please contact the Campus Recreation Graduate Coordinator:

Judy Yeast
Associate Director of Campus Recreation
Campus Recreation, Spencer SRC 200A
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
Phone: (309) 298-1228
Fax: (309) 298-3224
JA-Yeast@wiu.edu

Western Illinois University is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution

Western Illinois University provides the high quality educational programs for a diverse student population. WIU is a comprehensive institution with a primary focus on instruction and an additional commitment to research and public services. Founded in 1899, WIU is a state-supported institution that recognizes its responsibility to serve the western Illinois region and the people of Illinois. WIU has an enrollment of approximately 13,000 students which includes 2,200 graduate students.

Campus Recreation provides recreational programs, facilities, and services to the university community with an emphasis on student needs. Our diverse programs, facilities, and services provide life-enhancing recreational opportunities for the physical, mental, and social interests of the students.

For more information see the complete policy statement.

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Contact Info

Campus Recreation
Donald S. Spencer Student Recreation Center, 200A
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455

Email: C-Recreation@wiu.edu
Office: (309) 298-1228
Front Desk: (309) 298-2797
Fax Number: (309) 298-3224