Job Details

Title: Graduate Research Assistant

Position Number: 000GA11

Hiring Unit: C OF SOC SCI, SOC SCI DEANS OFF

Date Posted: June 16, 2025

Closing Date: Continuous Recruitment, review of applications to begin July 1, 2025

Salary Information: Step 15 - $29,148 annual (MA Program); Step 17 - $31,524 annual (PhD Program)
Full Time/Part Time: Part-time - full time equivalency 50%

Month: 11-month

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: To begin Fall 2025, temporary position not to exceed June 2026. Renewal dependent upon satisfactory performance, position need, and availability of funds. Pending position clearance and availability of funds.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) will support the College of Social Sciences student recruitment and outreach initiatives by developing and implementing communication strategies, assisting with data analysis related to recruitment, and enhancing prospective student engagement. This position is ideal for a graduate student interested in higher education, marketing, communications, or enrollment management.

1. Assist in the development and execution of recruitment and communication strategies targeting prospective students.
2. Assist with the design and development of eye-catching visuals such as promotional materials, brochures, newsletters, email campaigns, flyers, and other custom educational materials accessible in print and online.
3. Assist with the creation, editing, and production of video content for the website, social media, and other platforms.
4. Support virtual and in-person recruitment events (e.g., information sessions, webinars, campus tours).
5. Analyze recruitment data to identify trends and inform strategy.
6. Conduct research on competitor programs and best practices in student recruitment.
7. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to highlight college and departmental strengths.
8. Maintain and update prospective student databases and email lists.
9. Ensure the university's responsibilities to Hawai'i's Indigenous people, language, and culture are central to all communication efforts.
10. Stay up-to-date on social media trends, tools, and best practices to keep the brand relevant.
11. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Enrolled full-time at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, in a graduate degree program in marketing, communications, education, or higher education administration at the time of hire and throughout the appointment period, in good academic standing, maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Strong organizational, time-management, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Keen attention to detail and ability to synthesize information.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment, maintaining effective relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community.
• Experience with social media platforms (Instagram, X/Twitter, YouTube, Facebook) and basic content creation tools.
• Experience in photography, video production, and editing software such as iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or similar.
• Experience in graphic design, publications, or media production using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, or similar.
• Must be available during summer, evenings, and weekends when necessary.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience in designing student-focused outreach materials such as flyers, pamphlets, brochures, infographics, videos, etc.
• Experience with content management systems (e.g., WordPress), email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp), or graphic design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
• Experience in event planning or student recruitment.
• Familiarity with ADA-compliant accessibility protocols and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
• Ability to travel independently to various locations promptly, which may be fulfilled by possessing a valid State of Hawai'i Driver's License (Class 3), a comparable license, or other transportation means.

To Apply

Submit a cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; resume; contact information of 3 professional references; and official transcripts (copies acceptable; original and official transcripts required at hire) to Kamakanaokealoha Aquino at ...@hawaii.edu via UH FileDrop Service at with a 14-day expiration timer.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Materials will not be returned.

Inquiries

Kamakanaokealoha Aquino, ...@hawaii.edu, 808-###-####

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and committed to nondiscrimination in employment, including veteran and disability status. More info:

Employment is contingent upon eligibility verification, background checks, and, for some positions, criminal record checks.

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Accommodation requests under ADA should be directed to the EEO coordinator: