Graduate Assistant: Resident Director (2026-2027)
Hobart William Smith Colleges

Location: Geneva, NY
Open Date: Jan 07, 2026

Description
Hobart and William Smith Colleges is accepting applications for admission into the Master of Arts, Higher Educational Leadership program. Our two-year Master's in Higher Education Leadership (MHEL) program will prepare you to challenge the current state of higher education and lead the change needed to support the next generation of college students. Courses encourage you to analyze and critique the history and policy of higher education, identify ways to build community for all students, and investigate and develop leadership and innovation techniques. Admission is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year for both Graduate Assistantships and admission! The program boasts a wide array of Graduate Assistantships which include tuition remission in the HWS MHEL program and an annual $20,000 stipend. GAs are also eligible for regional professional development opportunities and can apply for financial assistance for a national conference during their final year in the MHEL program. Priority consideration for this position will be given to applications received by March 1, 2026.

Come join a program and campus named #12 Best School for Internships, #10 Best Alumni Network, and #10 Best Career Services by The Princeton Review.

This is a 10-month, live-in position with responsibilities in Student Engagement, specially related to housing and residence life. Graduate Resident Directors (GRDs) promote and maintain a positive living-learning environment by working closely with the paraprofessional student staff to provide residents with a holistic student experience. GRDs are expected to work 20 hours during a typical week with night and weekend commitments. This is a live-in position (housing provided) with on-call responsibilities. Partial meal plan provided while campus dining is open. Multiple positions are available.



Essential Responsibilities:

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision for 10 to 15 Community Assistants.
• Assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of Community Assistants.
• Conduct weekly staff meetings and one-on-one meetings with Community Assistants.
• Assist CAs with roommate mediations.

Housing Operations Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of visibility in the residential neighborhood that you serve.
• Tour residential neighborhood weekly to ensure residential spaces are maintained and work orders are completed.
• Assume full responsibility for opening and closing of your residential neighborhood each semester.
• Assist with room changes and key inventories for your residential neighborhood.

Student Engagement Responsibilities

• Participate in the first level on-call rotation to assist with emergency response.
• Serve as primary responder for low-level conduct concerns within your Neighborhood, promoting accountability, community standards, and a supportive residential environment.
• Cover a weekly front desk shift in the Student Engagement Center: Greeting visitors, answering phone calls, providing basic information about Student Activities and Housing & Residence Life.
• Plan and implement Neighborhood-wide programs and campus-wide initiatives on behalf of the Housing & Residence Life staff.
• Participate in all large-scale events hosted by the Student Engagement Center.
• Play an active role in Student Engagement/Campus Life committees.
• Work with the cohort of Graduate Assistants to create fun late-night events occurring in your neighborhood.

Other Responsibilities

• Demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to unique social, cultural, and economic circumstances.
• Demonstrate knowledge for the Colleges' educational philosophy and mission.
• Performs other related duties as required.

About HWS

A liberal arts and sciences institution, Hobart and William Smith is known for consistent success in preparing students for meaningful lives and fulfilling careers through an outcomes-based focus on their futures. Our nationally ranked faculty are accessible teachers and scholars known for the impact of their research and distinguished by the depth of their mentorship. World challenges are studied in the classroom where critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills are honed. In the field, knowledge turns into discovery. In office hours, plans are carefully crafted to tie interests and talents to an academic path that motivates beyond graduation.

Our location in the heart of the Finger Lakes allows faculty, staff and students to live and work collaboratively on the banks of a resource-rich lake. Student-athletes play for 30 varsity teams boasting 24 national titles, including the 2023 and 2024 NCAA DIII Men's Ice Hockey Championships. With three graduate programs, students can build on their undergraduate degree with a Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership, Master of Arts in Teaching, or a Master of Science in Management. Together, the experiences and mentorship at HWS prepare students to lead lives of consequence.

Other Information:

This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefits eligible position. This position description is not all-inclusive as other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned.


Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of one year of leadership experience, preferably in a related area
• Strong in-person communication skills and ability to connect easily with all groups of people
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population and enjoy engaging with people
• Student-centered with a collaborative, team-oriented approach
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Brings positive energy and a sense of humor to the role
• Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with individuals from different cultures or backgrounds

Terms of Employment:

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.00
• Employment begins August 1, 2026, and ends May 31, 2027

All Graduate Assistantships must be accepted into the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership at Hobart and William Smith Colleges as full-time students, as Graduate Assistantships have a maximum term of two consecutive years. Maintaining good academic standing, contributing in the classroom setting, managing their time effectively and balancing their schoolwork along with their GA duties is a priority for all parties.

Terms of Employment:

• Must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.00
• Employment begins August 1, 2026, and ends May 31, 2027.

All Graduate Assistantships must be accepted into the Master of Arts in Higher Education Leadership at Hobart and William Smith Colleges as full-time students, as Graduate Assistantships have a maximum term of two consecutive years. Maintaining good academic standing, contributing in the classroom setting, managing their time effectively and balancing their schoolwork along with their GA duties is a priority for all parties.


Application Instructions


For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/178492

The Colleges are an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment in their programs and activities against employees or applicants based on race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, citizenship, genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, caregiver status, military status, including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, social class, or any other category or characteristic protected by applicable law.










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