The Graduate Community Fellows program offers a sustained and systematic method of building graduate community at MIT, especially in the directions of interest for the OGE.
In addition, the Fellows have the opportunity to interact intimately with administrators, advocate for student interests, and gain valuable leadership experience.
— former Fellow
Graduate Community Fellows are a cadre of graduate students who work on projects and assignments that enhance graduate community in unique ways. Each Fellow reports to a staff member in the OGE or in a partner organization, and focuses on a specific project. Current open positions are listed in the section below.
As a cadre, Fellows meet regularly to coordinate efforts, and to pool their observations and reflections. They have the opportunity to advise the OGE about the needs of the graduate student community, and serve as an important conduit for informing the OGE about the graduate student experience.
To serve as a Graduate Community Fellow, a graduate student must meet minimal eligibility requirements and agree to the terms of appointment (below). Appointment periods for Fellow positions vary.
Open Positions:
Starting Immediately
Office of Graduate Education (OGE) – GradThriving & GradDiversity Programming
This Fellow will work closely with the GradThriving Associate Dean, and the GradDiversity Team in the Office of Graduate Education (OGE). GradDiversity is a core unit within GradThriving, and this role will support broad GradThriving programming and may include Study Break, Grad Appreciation Week Programming, Graduation Recognition, and Affinity Group meetings as well as other community-building events that foster belonging and well-being for MIT graduate students.
The Fellow will play a key role in planning, marketing, and evaluating these programs to strengthen community, enhance student success, and advance MIT’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Plan and support GradThriving events, including some GradDiversity Programming.
- Assist with event logistics: scheduling, space reservations, catering coordination, and communications.
- Maintain an online calendar of all GradThriving events.
- Create reports using aggregated data from GradThriving areas (GradSupport, GradDiversity, GradFamilies, GradExperience).
- Update GradSupport website as needed.
- Design and create a template for the GradThriving annual report.
- Develop marketing materials and share with the graduate student community (with Program Associate support).
- Attend events as possible and provide on-site support.
- Assist in developing and implementing strategies to evaluate programming and provide feedback on future topics.
Skills & Qualifications
- Strong organizational and event planning skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, including writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong data analysis skills and ability to create compelling reports.
- Familiarity with tools for event promotion and data collection (e.g., Canva, Google Forms, Airtable).
Applications
Applications for open positions should be submitted through this link. They will be reviewed as they are submitted; positions will be filled ASAP but some may not begin until the beginning of the next semester. Please contact gcf-admin@mit.edu with any questions.
Eligibility
- All graduate students who are registered and in good standing in a full time degree program at MIT for the current academic year are eligible to apply. (An international student who has full support in the form of an RA or TA is not eligible during regular academic terms – see Graduate Policies and Procedures for more information.)
- Fellows must be in the Boston/Cambridge area for the term of their position. A student in nonresident doctoral thesis research status, or thesis-in-absentia status, is not eligible to apply.
- Applicants must have been enrolled at MIT for at least one regular semester (fall / spring) prior to applying.
- Applicants on NSF GFRP who are on tenure are not eligible to work
- Renewal of a position is not automatic. Current or previous GCFs who wish to be renewed should speak with their supervisor.
Terms of position
- The typical Graduate Community Fellow position is often for two or more semesters and can continue into the summer term. See position descriptions for position-specific information.
- Graduate Community Fellows will receive $850 per month for 10 hours a week working on GCF tasks. Duties are outlined in each position’s description.
- You are only permitted to hold one graduate community fellow position at a time. Also please review MIT hourly employment guidelines for graduate students that can be found here
- A Fellow can be dismissed prior to agreed upon timeline for conduct considered detrimental to the Office of Graduate Education, or for failure to accomplish their responsibilities as a Graduate Community Fellow. Should one be dismissed, the payments will cease. If the OGE and GCF’s supervisor determine that the person accepted GCF payments during a time period in which the position responsibilities were not met, the OGE may pursue reimbursement of the payments from the Fellow.
Request a new position
MIT Offices interested in establishing a new graduate community fellow position should first reach out to gcf-admin@mit.edu for instructions on how to develop a proposal. All proposals must include a position description detailing the role, responsibilities, and a list of specific, concrete tasks. Supervisors must regularly meet with their fellow for mentoring and advising as well as report annually on progress. Supervisors may also anticipate some meetings with the program administrator and other supervisors throughout the year.
