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 positions are listed below; details about each position are found on the “Current Fellow positions” page.
- Addir – MIT Interfaith Dialogue
- Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD)
- Celebrating Graduate Students
- Committed to Caring (OPEN)
- Financial Literacy
- GradLink and Programs for Graduate Student Support
- Institute Community & Equity Office (ICEO) Programming/Events (OPEN)
- Institute Discrimination & Harassment Response (IDHR) Office
- International Students Office Publicity and Communications
- International Students Office Programming and Events
- Language Conversation Exchange
- MindHandHeart: Communications
- OGE Diversity Initiatives Recruitment & Community/Retention
- OGE Graduate Community Programs
- OGE Graduate Family Programming (on hold)
- OGE Programs for Women
- OGE Programs for Indigenous Students
- OME Supporting Women of Color
- Supporting Indigenous Students
- PKG Center: Grad Community and Voter Engagement
- PKG Center: Community Engaged Learning (OPEN)
- REFS Program Support
- Supporting Indigenous Students
- Teaching & Learning Lab (TLL) Inclusive and Equitable Teaching Assessment
- Teaching & Learning Lab (TLL) Senior Teaching Development (on hold)
- Violence Prevention & Response Programming Support
- Writing & Communication Center
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.
Applications
Applications for open positions should be submitted to gcf-admin@mit.edu. 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.
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 should have been enrolled at MIT for at least one semester.
- 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 runs September 1 through May 31; however, other term lengths are possible depending upon the nature of the position. See position descriptions for position-specific information.
- Graduate Community Fellows will receive $750 per month for for 10 hours a week working on GCF tasks. Duties are outlined in each position’s description.
- 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 to 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.
