(Fall 2020 Purple & White Article)
As the Iowa Wesleyan University graduate program continues to grow, the graduate assistant (GA) program is also expanding. Iowa Wesleyan employs 30 graduate assistants from around the world, committed to supporting the University as assistant coaches, student development professionals, teaching assistants, and marketing staff, to name a few. Valerie Henessee, Director of Graduate and Professional Studies, notes that the GA program is “providing many opportunities for students [looking to enter a graduate program].” The GA program offers students free tuition benefits and free campus housing, while also providing valuable work experience and resume-building opportunities.
“I just think the GA program is really exciting,” said Henessee. “It’s such a win-win situation.” The program also acts as an ongoing interview process, much like a paid internship, as many graduate assistants eventually move into staff positions.
Graduate assistant positions allow campus departments to have staff close in age to undergraduate students, helping to make connections between students and staff. However, unlike undergraduate work-study students, graduate assistants have more crucial years of experience and additional years of maturity, giving them a better understanding of Iowa Wesleyan’s values and culture. Dr. DeWayne Frazier, University Provost noted “Having those 30 young professionals on our staff has been amazing as they add so much value to campus.”
The graduate assistant program also benefits the University through direct-student connections and increased part-time staff. Despite the free tuition benefits offered to graduate assistants, the GA program saves the University more than $200k annually in labor fees while offering students advanced work experience.
Graduate Assistants in the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic illustrated the importance of having a GA program on campus as Iowa Wesleyan stressed the importance of student health. Matt Klundt, Assistant Dean for Health, Careers, and Service, notes “The health team is me, Nancy, and three GAs… the whole team has been doing great. The GAs help with a lot of the running.” Kundt noting the needs of students in quarantine and isolation. “It’s been a huge blessing working with all of [the GAs].”
GAs serving as assistant coaches also help to ensure that regular COVID-19 screening and testing occurs within their respective teams. The assistant coaches, much like the head coaches, have also been enforcing mask-wearing on and off the field.
Kendra Gauge 