Graduate Assistant (Canyon Ventures)

Job Description

Welcome to Grand Canyon University, one of Arizona’s premier institutions of higher learning! Nestled in the vibrant Valley of the Sun in Phoenix, Arizona, GCU stands as a regionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University dedicated to academic excellence and student success.

About the Opportunity: Graduate Assistant (Canyon Ventures)

The Graduate Assistant (GA) position at Grand Canyon University offers a unique and dynamic opportunity to contribute to both the operational success of Canyon Ventures and the academic and co-curricular initiatives of the Colangelo College of Business (CCOB). This role is meticulously designed to immerse you in the exciting world of entrepreneurship, student engagement, and venture operations, providing invaluable hands-on experience within a thriving university-based startup incubator.

As a Graduate Assistant, you will play a pivotal role in program coordination, offering crucial support to burgeoning startups, fostering student engagement, and executing essential administrative tasks. This position allows you to gain applied experience at the vibrant intersection of business education and venture development. You will directly support Canyon Ventures’ mission to connect students with real-world entrepreneurial experiences, all while upholding CCOB’s core values of servant leadership, innovation, and practical, applied learning.

What You Will Do:

Venture Operations & Facility Support

• Operational Assistance: Contribute to the smooth day-to-day operations of Canyon Ventures, including meticulous scheduling, optimizing space utilization, and coordinating essential resources.
• Facility Management: Aid in the effective management of shared workspaces, meeting rooms, and event areas, ensuring they are consistently functional and ready for use.
• Performance Tracking: Monitor and track key operational metrics such as student engagement levels, venture participation rates, and overall program utilization.
• Reporting Support: Assist with the preparation of comprehensive reports detailing venture performance and student involvement.

Program & Event Coordination

• Program Execution: Provide robust support for the planning and execution of diverse entrepreneurship programming, including impactful Founder Forums, dynamic Demo Days, thrilling pitch competitions, and insightful tours.
• Logistical Coordination: Manage event logistics, encompassing scheduling, material preparation, stakeholder communication, and crucial on-site support.
• Outcome Measurement: Assist in tracking program outcomes and participation metrics to evaluate effectiveness.
• Promotional Collaboration: Work collaboratively with marketing and internal stakeholders to effectively promote events and initiatives, maximizing reach and engagement.

Student & Startup Engagement

• Liaison Role: Serve as a vital link between GCU students and the innovative startup companies housed within Canyon Ventures.
• Onboarding Support: Facilitate the seamless onboarding processes for new ventures joining the incubator.
• Placement Assistance: Help connect students with valuable internships, project-based work, or opportunities to join venture teams.
• Founder Support: Provide front-line support to founders by expertly connecting them with relevant university resources.
• Experiential Learning Promotion: Champion and promote experiential learning opportunities that are strategically aligned with CCOB programming.

Communication, Reporting, & Administrative Support

• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and detailed records of student participation, venture activity, and program outcomes.
• Content Creation: Assist with the creation of compelling presentations, comprehensive reports, and clear communications for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Interdepartmental Coordination: Coordinate efforts across various university departments (e.g., Marketing, Finance, Facilities, Academic Teams) to ensure successful initiative execution.
• Policy Adherence: Ensure strict adherence to all university policies and operational procedures.

What You Will Need:

• Academic Enrollment: Must be a current Colangelo College of Business (CCOB) student with a major and/or minor in Entrepreneurial Studies.
• Graduate Admission: Must be admitted to a graduate degree-seeking program at GCU. (Certificate-only programs do not satisfy this requirement.)
• GPA Requirement: Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. For newly admitted students, the admission GPA will be considered. This minimum GPA must be maintained throughout employment.
• Enrollment Status: Be enrolled as a “regular” (not provisional) degree-seeking student for at least 6 graduate-level units leading to the degree. (Undergraduate or audited courses do not satisfy this requirement. Hiring departments may require a higher enrollment.)
• Performance Expectations: Assistantships may be revoked at any time if duties are not fulfilled satisfactorily.
• Conduct Compliance: As both a student and employee, graduate assistants are responsible for upholding the University’s Student Code of Conduct.
• Tuition Waiver Eligibility: Graduate Assistants are eligible for a waiver of tuition for the period employed. Please note that a waiver of tuition may be considered taxable income.
• Employment Workflow: Must adhere to HR employment workflow processes and complete pre-employment background checks.
• Work Hour Restrictions: Graduate Assistants have restricted work hours, with a maximum of 29 hours per week.
• Degree Completion: After all degree requirements for the planned program of study are met, a student is no longer eligible to receive a graduate assistantship.
• Grade Resolution: “Incomplete” grades must be removed during the period following the teaching period in which the “I” was recorded to continue the assistantship.
• Benefits Exclusion: Graduate Assistants are part-time employees and are not eligible for GCU’s employment benefits, except those stipulated by law.
• University Alignment: Provide a positive example to students by actively supporting the University’s Doctrinal Statement, Ethical Position Statement, and the overarching Mission of Grand Canyon University.

Why Work At GCU:

• Graduate Assistant/Employee Tuition Program: Invest in your future with our generous tuition program.
• Free On-site Gyms: Stay fit and healthy with complimentary access to our campus gyms.