Summer 2026 Student Graphic Designer Assistant (GDA)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Summer 2026 Student Graphic Designer Assistant (GDA)

Company: St. Olaf College

Location: Northfield, MN, United States

Job Type: Part Time, Temporary

Category: Marketing Operations, Creative Services

Date Posted: 2026-02-27

Experience Level: 0-2 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role provides essential graphic design and visual content creation support for the Office of Residence Life, focusing on enhancing the office's brand identity across physical, digital, and social media platforms.

• The position involves developing and executing marketing strategies, including social media tactics, in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Office to promote on-campus living and its value.

• Responsibilities extend to managing an electronic file database for all created content, ensuring organized storage and accessibility for the Residence Life team.

• The role requires active participation in various training sessions, meetings, and professional development opportunities relevant to student affairs and residence life operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically for a student at St. Olaf College, indicating a focus on educational development and practical application of design skills within an academic institution's operational framework. The "Student Employee (non-exempt)" classification highlights its nature as a part-time, paid position integrated into the student experience.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Create, assist, and coordinate the production of official flyers, informational pamphlets, and other marketing collateral for the Residence Life department.

• Review and edit all graphic designs and visual materials produced by the Residence Life office to ensure brand consistency and quality standards.

• Assist in coordinating diverse marketing initiatives, including direct mail, print advertisements, networking, internet campaigns, and social media engagement, while exploring innovative marketing methods.

• Develop and implement strategic social media tactics in partnership with the Marketing and Communications Office to drive engagement and promote campus living.

• Establish and maintain an organized electronic file database for the storage and retrieval of all created graphic design content and marketing materials.

• Attend all mandatory trainings, in-service sessions, and development meetings as requested by the Residence Life Office to stay updated on best practices and departmental goals.

• Design innovative and engaging graphic marketing materials that effectively communicate Residence Life's message and value proposition.

• Provide secondary support for social media engagement and strategy, website management, and visual asset content creation.

• Act as a representative for Residence Life, engaging in verbal and electronic dialogue to articulate the benefits of on-campus living.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of creative design work and operational support within a university residence life context. The inclusion of "duty rotation" and "on-call support" suggests that this role may involve some level of student support and facilities coordination outside of standard business hours, requiring flexibility and responsiveness.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Must be currently enrolled in a degree program at St. Olaf College and maintain good academic and conduct standing. Students who have applied for graduation before the Summer Sessions are ineligible.

Experience: While specific years of experience are not explicitly stated, the role is geared towards students with 0-2 years of experience, focusing on foundational graphic design and marketing skills.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in graphic design principles and software (implied, though specific tools beyond Microsoft Office/Google Suite are not detailed).

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills for effective interaction with students, staff, and stakeholders.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a team.

• High levels of motivation, a strong interest in graphic design, and a proactive willingness to learn new skills and technologies.

• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in all design and content produced.

• Excellent time management skills to balance academic responsibilities with job duties and meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with social media engagement and strategy development.

• Basic understanding of website management principles.

• Familiarity with visual asset content creation and management.

• Demonstrated ability to act with discretion and maintain confidentiality regarding student information.

• Experience in creating marketing materials for a university or similar organizational setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize a student's academic standing and behavioral conduct, alongside practical skills. The GPA requirement of 2.5 suggests a baseline academic performance expectation for student employees in this role. The "discretion and professional etiquette" clause points to the sensitive nature of information handled within Residence Life.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a range of graphic design projects, including flyers, pamphlets, social media graphics, and branding elements, demonstrating creativity and technical execution.

• Include examples of how design solutions addressed specific communication objectives or marketing challenges.

• Highlight projects that reflect an understanding of target audience engagement, particularly for a student demographic.

Process Documentation:

• For design projects, be prepared to discuss the design process from conceptualization to final output, including research, sketching, software usage, and revisions.

• Be ready to explain how content was organized and stored within an electronic file database, demonstrating organizational efficiency.

• Articulate how social media tactics were developed and integrated with broader marketing efforts.

• Describe any experience in reviewing and editing graphic designs, showcasing quality assurance processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio submission may not be explicitly listed as a requirement, candidates should be prepared to present examples of their work during the interview process. The emphasis on "creating, assisting, and coordinating" suggests a need to demonstrate project management and collaborative workflow experience, even at an entry level.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $11.75 - $12.75 per hour.

Benefits:

• Housing: Double-occupancy room provided, with the option to choose a roommate. The total housing cost for Summer Session 1, Summer Session 2, and Intersession is waived. If a roommate is not chosen, the vacant bed will be added to the vacancy list.

• Wage: Paid hourly for administrative hours worked outside of the on-call rotation.

Working Hours:

• Summer Hours: Minimum 12 - Maximum 40 hours per week, depending on whether an academic class is being taken.

  • If taking an academic class: Minimum 12 - Maximum 20 hours per week.
  • If not taking an academic class: Minimum 12 - Maximum 40 hours per week.

• Hours are negotiated if summer positions require student leaders to perform roles in the spring or fall semester.

• Duty Rotation: Expect to serve on-call shifts between 7 pm - 7 am on weeknights and 24 hours a day on weekends.

• Regular Common Meeting Time: Every Monday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (may be canceled when necessary). Other meetings may be scheduled as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation package includes a competitive hourly wage for a student role and a significant housing benefit, making it a financially attractive opportunity for St. Olaf students. The on-call duty rotation is a key component of the working hours and responsibilities, requiring availability and responsiveness outside of typical office hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Educational Services. St. Olaf College is a private liberal arts college with a strong emphasis on academics, arts, and community engagement.

Company Size: St. Olaf College is a medium-sized institution with approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and around 1,000 faculty and staff. This size fosters a close-knit community where individual contributions are visible.

Founded: 1886. With a long history, St. Olaf College has established traditions and a robust operational framework.

Team Structure:

• The Graphic Designer Assistant (GDA) will be part of the Office of Residence Life team, reporting to the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life & Student Conduct or a designee.

• This role will collaborate closely with other student staff members within Residence Life, as well as with the Marketing and Communications Office.

Methodology:

• The GDA will employ a data-driven approach to social media engagement, developing tactics in relation to the Marketing and Communications Office.

• Workflow planning will involve coordinating content creation and review processes for marketing materials.

• Automation and efficiency practices will be applied through the creation and maintenance of an electronic file database for organized content storage.

Company Website: https://www.stolaf.edu/

📝 Enhancement Note: St. Olaf College's culture likely emphasizes community, service, and holistic student development. For operations roles like this, it means a focus on supporting the student experience, fostering collaboration, and adhering to institutional values. The integration of student roles into departmental operations is a common practice in higher education.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level student position, ideal for individuals beginning their careers in graphic design, marketing, or student affairs operations. It provides foundational experience in applying creative skills within an institutional setting.

Reporting Structure: The GDA reports directly to the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life & Student Conduct or their designee, offering direct mentorship and oversight. This structure allows for clear guidance and feedback.

Operations Impact: The GDA's work directly impacts the Residence Life department's ability to effectively communicate vital information, promote its services, and maintain a strong brand presence. Their visual content and social media efforts contribute to student engagement and the overall success of on-campus living initiatives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Gain practical experience in graphic design software, marketing strategy, social media management, and content creation within a professional environment.

• Professional Networking: Build relationships with key personnel in Residence Life, Marketing and Communications, and potentially facilities management, expanding professional connections.

• Leadership Potential: Through on-call duties and representing Residence Life, develop leadership, problem-solving, and crisis management skills.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Create a substantial body of work for a professional portfolio, showcasing diverse design projects and marketing contributions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a student position, the experience gained is highly transferable. The emphasis on "mental health first aid training" and "duty rotation" suggests opportunities to develop soft skills critical for any operations role, such as crisis management, communication under pressure, and empathy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based within the Office of Residence Life at St. Olaf College, likely a professional office environment within the campus infrastructure.

Office Location(s): Northfield, MN. The specific office would be on the St. Olaf College campus.

Workspace Context:

• The GDA will work in an office setting, likely with access to necessary design software and equipment. Collaboration with other student staff and professional administrators will be frequent.

• Opportunities to interact with a diverse student population and contribute to a positive campus living experience.

• The role requires being on-call, meaning the workspace extends to being accessible and responsive from their on-campus residence during designated shifts.

Work Schedule: The schedule is part-time, with a significant component involving on-call duties during evenings and weekends, in addition to regular administrative hours and mandatory meetings. This requires flexibility and a strong commitment to availability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-call" aspect of the role is a critical element of the work environment. It means the GDA must be prepared to respond to resident issues and concerns after regular business hours, acting as a liaison between students and campus operations teams. This requires a balance between academic pursuits and job responsibilities.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit an application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed based on academic standing, GPA, and alignment with the minimum qualifications.

• Interview: Selected candidates will likely participate in one or more interviews with the hiring manager (Associate Dean of Students or designee). This may include behavioral questions, situational questions, and a review of design work.

• Portfolio Review: Be prepared to discuss your design process and showcase examples of your graphic design work, marketing materials, and social media content.

• Training Confirmation: Successful candidates will be required to attend mandatory training sessions, including Mental Health First Aid and Summer Training.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Organize your portfolio to highlight relevant projects such as flyers, social media graphics, and any branding work.

• For each project, be ready to explain your role, the design process, the tools used, and the intended outcome.

• If possible, include examples that demonstrate your ability to create content for a university or student audience.

Challenge Preparation:

• While a formal design challenge may not be explicitly stated, be prepared for questions that assess your problem-solving skills related to design and communication. For example, "How would you design a flyer to encourage students to attend a Residence Life event?"

• Think about how you would balance multiple design requests and deadlines, demonstrating your time management and prioritization skills.

• Consider how you would collaborate with the Marketing and Communications Office to develop social media strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design skills but also the candidate's maturity, responsibility, and communication abilities, given the on-call and student representation aspects of the role. The mandatory training indicates a commitment to student welfare and operational preparedness.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Graphic Design Software: While not explicitly named, proficiency in industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is highly probable and recommended. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience.

• Microsoft Office Suite: Required for administrative tasks, report generation, and general communication (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Google Suite: Required for collaborative work, document management, and communication (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Social Media Analytics: Familiarity with basic social media analytics tools (e.g., Facebook Insights, Instagram Analytics) would be beneficial for developing and measuring social media tactics.

• Website Content Management Systems (CMS): Basic understanding or experience with CMS platforms for website updates may be advantageous.

CRM & Automation:

• Electronic File Database: The role requires creating and utilizing an electronic file database for content storage, implying familiarity with cloud storage solutions (e.g., Google Drive, OneDrive) or internal college systems.

• Marketing Automation Platforms: While likely beyond the scope of this role, awareness of how marketing content integrates into broader communication funnels is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of Microsoft Office and Google Suite is crucial. Proficiency in these is a baseline requirement. For design, while specific software isn't listed, candidates should assume common industry tools will be expected or at least beneficial to have experience with. The "electronic file database" points to a need for strong organizational and digital asset management skills.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student-Centricity: Prioritizing the well-being, safety, and positive experience of students living on campus.

• Collaboration: Working effectively with peers in Residence Life, professional staff, and other campus departments like Marketing and Communications.

• Responsibility & Accountability: Demonstrating reliability, especially during on-call duties and when managing sensitive information.

• Innovation & Creativity: Developing engaging and effective visual content and marketing strategies.

• Professionalism: Maintaining a professional demeanor, ethical conduct, and discretion in all interactions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively participating in meetings and projects with the Residence Life team and coordinating with the Marketing and Communications Office for social media and branding efforts.

• Process Review and Feedback: Being open to reviewing and editing designs, and providing constructive feedback where appropriate, while also receiving feedback on one's own work.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to a team environment by sharing design ideas and assisting with departmental initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values of a Residence Life department within a college setting typically revolve around student development, community building, and ensuring a safe and supportive living environment. For a GDA, this translates to creating communications that are informative, welcoming, and reflective of the college's values.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Academics and Work: Managing the demands of coursework alongside significant on-call responsibilities and design projects requires excellent time management and prioritization skills.

• On-Call Responsibilities: Responding effectively to resident concerns and facilitating support during off-hours, potentially involving complex or urgent situations, requires composure and quick thinking.

• Brand Consistency: Ensuring all created materials adhere to St. Olaf College's and Residence Life's branding guidelines while also being innovative and engaging.

• Cross-Departmental Coordination: Effectively collaborating with the Marketing and Communications Office and other departments to align strategies and messaging.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Gaining hands-on experience in marketing operations, content creation, and student support services within a higher education context.

• Industry Conference & Certification Participation: While not explicitly stated, St. Olaf College may offer opportunities for student employees to attend relevant workshops or training sessions (e.g., the Mental Health First Aid training is a prime example).

• Operations Mentorship: Receiving guidance from experienced professionals in Residence Life and Marketing, offering insights into career paths in student affairs, marketing, and design.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to student employment roles that involve significant responsibility and external-facing duties. The growth opportunities are framed around developing practical, transferable skills and gaining valuable experience that can enhance future academic and career pursuits.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience with graphic design software and how you approach creating marketing materials for a specific audience." (Focus on demonstrating your design process, tool proficiency, and audience awareness).

• "How would you develop social media content to promote the benefits of living on campus to prospective and current students?" (Prepare to outline a strategy, content ideas, and engagement tactics).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working for St. Olaf College's Office of Residence Life specifically?" (Research the college's mission, values, and Residence Life's goals).

• "How do you handle confidential information and maintain professional etiquette?" (Emphasize your understanding of privacy and ethical conduct).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• "Walk me through one of your design projects from concept to completion. What was the objective, your process, and the outcome?" (Select a strong, relevant project and be ready to articulate your problem-solving approach).

• "How do you ensure your designs are visually appealing and effectively communicate their message?" (Discuss your design principles, attention to detail, and user-centered approach).

• "If tasked with creating a flyer for a Residence Life event, what key elements would you include and why?" (Demonstrate your understanding of essential information and effective design for event promotion).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation should focus on showcasing not only design skills but also the candidate's maturity, responsibility, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the Residence Life environment. The ability to articulate one's process and strategy is key for a role involving creative output and operational support.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the St. Olaf College Oracle Cloud job portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a digital portfolio (or a selection of your best work) that highlights graphic design projects relevant to marketing, social media, and promotional materials. Select examples that demonstrate creativity, attention to detail, and an understanding of audience engagement.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize your relevant skills, such as graphic design software proficiency, social media engagement, communication, organization, and any experience in customer service or student support. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering common interview questions related to design, teamwork, problem-solving, and handling confidential information. Be ready to discuss your portfolio and your understanding of the Residence Life role.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with St. Olaf College's mission, values, and the specific goals of the Office of Residence Life. Understand the importance of on-campus living and how your role contributes to that.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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