Master of Social Work

GA Job Description working in the Practicum Office with Ebony Gardner, BSW Practicum Director and Dr. Gina Piombino, MSW Practicum Director. 

This position is for a 3 credit hour tuition waiver per semester with stipend to work 5 hours per week, 75% on the West Chester Campus, and 25% remotely.

1. Identify potential new practicum sites. Contact organizations, inquire about their interest in working with students and answer questions about our practicum program.
2. Request from new Practicum Instructors: Practicum Instructor application and resume. Upload the documents onto OneDrive and Tevera.
3. Assist Practicum Directors with creating Practicum Instructor and Student orientations, including:
1. Gather handouts to send to participants,
2. Verify that information on handouts and PowerPoint presentations are current and update accordingly,
3. Support the in-person and online orientations.
4. Review for accuracy, thoroughness and professionalism the descriptions of practicum experience that students write. Upload the documents to D2L for other students to access.
5. Assist with planning the on-line and in-person Seminar in Field Instructor course, including:
1. Gather handouts to send to participants,
2. Verify that information on handouts and PowerPoint presentations are current and update accordingly,
3. Support the in-person and online course.
6. Assist with creating, planning and implementing workshops.
7. Update tip sheets and handouts for students as needed.
8. Update practicum site data as needed, including processing practicum instructor applications and affiliation agreements as needed.
9. Create fillable Word documents as needed.
10. Create newsletters for students and practicum instructors.
11. Additional activities that support the practicum offices.

Visit the MSW Practicum Education and Undergraduate Practicum Education sites.

GA Responsibilities & Job Description for Drs. Wan-Yi Chen and Kerrie Ocasio

Two GA positions are allocated for the special project on evaluation capacity in social work organizations that serve as practicum sites.  Each graduate assistant will work with one of the project faculty, who will provide onsite support and co-supervise a practicum student. This is for two separate positions with the same description; one will be a 6 credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 10 hours per week for Dr. Chen, and the other, a 3 credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week with Dr. Ocasio. 

The GA position will run concurrently to the practicum placement, such that the practicum hours and GA hours will be satisfied at the same time and will not result in any additional time. The GA funds provide an incentive for this special project and represent an opportunity to receive some funding during the practicum placement.

Possible activities for 2026-2027 may include assisting the practicum sites in need of program design and infrastructure support, as well as measurement and analysis development. These skills support the development of management and leadership skills for students interested in those opportunities in their careers.

A graduate assistant working with Drs. Ocasio or  Chen is expected to be interested in a career advancement in an organization; is able to think creatively and abstractly; has an interest in program design and evaluation; has the ability to work independently, has good communication skills, and can be on site one day a week, during regular business hours.

This position is connected to a student’s practicum. Students interested in the role are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with their practicum site to determine whether it can be integrated as part of their learning experience.

If you want to apply, please provide a cover letter and your resume. Please also reach out to the Practicum Office to arrange for logistics associated with this practicum arrangement.

Note: Applicants should exhibit a strong interest in program evaluation practice and must obtain approval from their practicum site to participate in the special project dedicated to evaluation capacity building as part of their practicum experience. 

GA Job Description for Mollie Zenz, Assistant Director of Data & Program Administration 

This can be a remote or hybrid position and will be for a three-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work five hours per week. Students from both campuses are welcome to apply.

Position Overview
The Graduate Assistant will support the Assistant Director of Data and Program Administration by working closely on program assessment processes, placement-related systems, and accreditation support.

The role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, comfort with data systems, and professional communication abilities.

Assessment & Data Support

•  Assist with the implementation of program assessment processes
•  Support logistics and timelines for assessment implementation, including exit surveys, practicum evaluations, and related instruments across both campuses
• Support data extraction, organization, and preliminary analysis
• Assist in preparing assessment summaries and reports for faculty, department leadership, the Dean’s Office, the Provost’s Office, and accreditation bodies such as the Council on Social Work Education

Simulation & OSCE Support

• Assist in the logistical planning for Observed Structured Clinical Experiences

Placement & Program Support

•  Support placement-related processes and documentation within relevant software systems
• Assist with maintaining accurate and updated placement and assessment materials

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently enrolled graduate student at West Chester University
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail
• Self-motivated and able to manage multiple deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with technology, including survey platforms, spreadsheets, and learning or assessment systems
• Comfortable working with data and supporting reporting processes

Interviews will be offered to strong candidates.

GA Job Description for Dr. Ginneh Akbar

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week. Students from both locations welcome to apply.

I'm seeking a Graduate Assistant (GA) to join me with conducting research projects. We'll be looking into issues like mass incarceration, crime, racism, and social justice, and environmental justice. You'll also help review research and literature on these topics. You may also work on syllabus development and updating syllabi. Other tasks may involve coordinating and conducting interviews, transcribing them, and putting together digital storytelling pieces.

GA Job Description for Dr. Pier Cicerelle

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week. Most work will be completed remotely and only under specific circumstances will in-person meetings be necessitated (if at all). Responsibilities include conducting literature searches and reviews and conceptualizing research projects and presentations on varied topics. These topics include but are not limited to trauma theory and health behavior, LGBTQAI2S+ healthcare experiences, pedagogical approaches to social work education regarding LGBTQAI2S+ topics, academic freedom, educational gag orders, and an LSW prep course research project. The student might also be asked to create and maintain a record of grant opportunities and calls for journal manuscripts as related to these topics. This graduate assistantship will also include the opportunity to contribute to publications and presentations with author credit. Candidates should have strong writing skills, and be proactive, independent workers, who are detail-oriented, organized, and motivated. Interested folks should submit a writing sample, a resume, and a cover letter that discusses research and professional interests.

GA Job Description for Dr. Tina Chiarelli-Helminiak

This can be a remote or hybrid position and will be for a 6-credit hour tuition waiver and stipend per semester to work 10 hours per week. Students from both campuses are welcome to apply. 

Dr. Tina Chiarelli-Helminiak is seeking a Graduate Assistant (GA) to assist with several ongoing research studies. Dr. Tina believes the realization of human rights is necessary to achieve social justice and utilizes such a frame to guide her research, especially within the context of social work and higher education. During Academic Year 26-27, anticipated research projects include: 

•        Updating a chapter on global human rights for LGBTQIA+ community

·       Data analysis and dissemination of qualitative research on parenting students

·       Campus wide PhotoVoice project through the Center for Community Engagement & Social Impact

All research projects include opportunity to conduct literature reviews, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and contribute to manuscripts and presentations with author credit.  

Additionally, the selected GA will support the MSW Practicum Committee.  This may include developing meeting agendas, updating materials in preparation of reaccreditation, and providing a student perspective.   

Interested students should have the ability to work independently and as part of research teams with scholars within and outside of WCU. Previous research experience is preferred, but not required. 

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please discuss your interest in the anticipated research projects listed above and how the research experience connects with your career goals.

GA Job Description for Dr. Page Walker Buck

This position will be for a 3-credit hour tuition waiver per semester to work 5 hours per week.

Work will be completed remotely and will typically include weekly 1hr meetings via Zoom. Other hours can be completed at on the student's schedule.

Responsibilities include: conducting literature searches and reviews, conceptualizing research projects and presentations on varied topics. These topics include but are not limited to mental health, moral distress, suicide prevention.

This graduate assistantship will also include the opportunity to contribute to publications and presentations with author credit. Candidates should have strong writing skills, be proactive, independent workers, who are detail-oriented, organized, and motivated. Interested folks should submit a writing sample, a resume and a cover letter that discusses research and professional interests.

GA Job Description for Beth Shearn, Social Work Program Coordinator & Stacey Raker, MSW Department Coordinator

This position is a remote position for a 6-credit hour tuition waiver and stipend per semester to work 10 hours per week. Students from both campuses may apply.

This position will be to support the Program Coordinator and Department Coordinator with the following:

• department promotions
• create quarterly department newsletter
• assist with  social media promotions
• assist with website updates

GA Job Description for Dr. Susan Wysor-Nguema

This is a research position for a 5hr/week graduate assistantship in exchange for 3 credits of tuition waiver. More details on this position are forthcoming.