GPA - Illustration Practice

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General purpose: Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs) support their Program Director to ensure the effective operation of their program. GPAs serve as graduate student leaders and work collaboratively with each other and the Office of Graduate Studies to promote dialogue, the exchange of information, and timely communications between students, directors, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Two (2) GPA positions are available within MFA Illustration Practice beginning Fall 2024 (see details below). GPAs are expected to commit to at least two semesters of service (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025).

Summary of Essential Functions

• Responsibilities as outlined below in Essential Duties & Responsibilities and Program-Specific Duties.

• As student leaders in the graduate community, GPAs are required to uphold graduate policies, procedures and standards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Attend and participate in GPA Training, Graduate Student Orientation, Student Voice Association and Graduate Student Council Meetings and Town Halls, and regular check-in meetings with the Office of Graduate Studies, including a minimum of two (2) Graduate Studies-sponsored leadership development opportunities, workshops, and/or discussion sessions over the course of the academic year.

• Support the Office of Graduate Admission during Graduate Admission Open House and Visit Days.

• Communicate important information from the Program Director and Office of Graduate Studies to students.

• Resolve student and programmatic issues, concerns, and solutions in dialogue with the Program Director.

• Monitor your program's shared spaces to ensure they are being used, cleaned, and shared in a responsible way; report any issues to the Program Director, Operations Coordinator, and/or MICA Facilities.

• Support Program Director with an annual series of programmatic activities including lectures, dinners, and hosting visiting artists and critics on campus. Related administrative duties including documentation of activities and updating the program's social media and mica.edu website pages may apply.

• Support Program Directors and the Office of Graduate Admission with various tasks related to the admission process including arranging for prospective student visits of the facilities.

• Report technical issues to Technology Systems and Service (TSS).

• Report maintenance issues to the Operations Coordinator and/or MICA Facilities.

Program-Specific Duties:

ALL GPAs

• Support the work of your Program Director and provide a range of administrative duties that may include managing crit sheets, preparing for and supporting portfolio reviews, planning events, and collecting Program Director's mail.

• Report maintenance and technical issues in the ILP Studio and Shared Grad Illustration Print Lab to the Program Director. Manage all other equipment issues through the relevant manufacturer's service representative.

• Be available to meet with students to distribute information from the Program Director and ascertain any prevailing issues.

• If needed, report student and programmatic issues, concerns, and solutions to the Program Director in a timely and accurate way. Should matters require further investigation, the Program Director will follow institutional policies when reporting issues to the Office of Graduate Studies.

• Be available in the studio for troubleshooting and tech support.

• Resolve all issues on a local level where possible, presenting remaining, unresolved issues to the Program Director. Bring any suggested solution to the issues at that time.

• Attend regular short meetings with the Program Director for updates.

• Support fellow GPAs as needed and whenever possible.

INVENTORY/STUDIO MANAGER GPA (open to incoming first-year students only)

• Check inventory bi-weeekly, make a supply list, do materials research as needed, make the purchases and maintain inventory on approval of the Program Director.

• Keep inventory organized and clean including studio materials drawers, cabinets and surfaces, revise cleaning assignments, organize weekly cleaning groups.

• Work with the GPA in the MA Illustration program to ensure ink stock, copier paper stock and necessary repair in the Shared Lab s all of which are conveyed to both program directors.

• Place inventory orders for the Shared Lab and coordinate with faculty on Shared Lab workshops and repair needs.

• Procure cleaning supplies, keep paper towels, screen cleaner and other cleaning products and sponges in their proper place.

• Ensure all students have a locker and two flat file drawers using magnet name tags only.

VISITING ARTIST GPA (open to rising second-year students only)

• Assist with set-up for artist lectures, workshops and student presentations and have direct contact for Campus Tech problem-solving.

• Work with the Program Director to assist with the visiting artists, designers, and/or scholars by sending email confirmations to the artist, acquiring their photo and brief bio for the WebsiteSocial Media GPA and to the Office of Graduate Studies to be listed in OGS Communications Newsletter, send thesis project briefs to guests minimum 2 weeks ahead of engagement, follow up with Drew Lundholm on hotel confirmations, confirm lecture spaces, and event listings.

• Confirm all visit arrangements and potential need for a parking pass [and secure one] with the guest one week prior to visit. Meet guests at the Lazarus front desk at assigned time to escort them in.

• Procure meal orders for critic's or workshop leader's visit, retain receipt and give it to the Program Director.

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA GPA (open to rising second-year students only)

• Maintain program's website/blog and other online presence; make updates and maintain as needed based on the social media goals of the program and as requested by the Program Director.

• Produce posters for Lunchtime Lectures based on the program template, print and post the day of the lecture.

• Regularly document and archive images of the program, its studios, and exhibitions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• GPAs will communicate clearly and courteously and respond quickly, maintaining sensitivity to the needs and cultures of individual graduate programs.

• GPAs will have a strong work ethic and must be prompt, focused, self-motivated, flexible. Must respond well to feedback and work towards a stress-free environment.

• GPAs will be able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Minimum qualifications:

• Enrollment in the MFA in Illustration Practice program.

Student Performance Policy

The Office of Graduate Studies and Program Directors evaluate individual performance and attendance at required GPA events throughout the semester. Continuation in the GPA Program requires your consistent adherence to the roles and responsibilities listed above. The Office of Graduate Studies expects GPAs to participate in all required events and activities. Inconsistent participation can lead to dismissal from the GPA Program. If you are dismissed from your role as a GPA, your status as a student in your graduate program will not be affected.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to fifteen (15) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

• Required training: GPA training and orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.