Summer 2026 Student Graphic Designer Assistant (GDA)

📍 Job Overview

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

Company: St. Olaf College

Location: Northfield, Minnesota, United States

Job Type: Part-time, Temporary

Category: Student Employment / Graphic Design / Marketing Support

Date Posted: February 27, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Provides essential graphic design support and content creation for the St. Olaf College Office of Residence Life, ensuring cohesive and engaging visual branding across all platforms.

• Contributes to social media engagement and strategy, website management, and the development of visual asset content to enhance on-campus living promotion.

• Acts as a representative for Residence Life, engaging in verbal and electronic dialogue to articulate the value of on-campus living to prospective and current students.

• Supports operational functions within the Residence Life office, including potential front desk coverage and acting as a point of contact for facilities and operations teams after business hours.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically designed for current St. Olaf College students, offering a blend of creative design tasks with operational support within the Residence Life department. The emphasis on "extroverted characteristics" and "engaging in verbal and electronic dialogue" suggests a customer-facing element where communication and brand representation are key.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Content Creation & Design: Develop, create, and coordinate content for official Residence Life flyers, informational pamphlets, and other marketing materials.

• Brand Integration: Design and implement visual assets that maintain and enhance the Residence Life office's branding across physical, digital, and social media channels.

• Marketing Support: Assist in coordinating various marketing efforts, including direct mail, print ads, networking, and internet-based campaigns, and explore new marketing avenues.

• Social Media & Website: Develop social media tactics in collaboration with the Marketing and Communications Office and provide support for website content management.

• Content Management: Create and maintain an organized electronic file database for all graphic design content and assets.

• Operational Support: Serve on an on-call rotation, providing secondary support to campus and acting as a point of contact between student staff and facilities operations teams after regular business hours.

• Training & Development: Attend all mandatory trainings, in-services, and professional development meetings as requested by the Residence Life Office, including Mental Health First Aid and summer training sessions.

• Event Support: Assist with housing transitions during summer sessions, as well as Fall, Interim, and Spring move-ins and closings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a dual focus: creative graphic design and operational support, including on-call duties. This indicates a need for individuals who can balance creative tasks with immediate response needs and direct student interaction, typical of student leadership roles within university housing departments.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Must be currently enrolled in a degree program at St. Olaf College during the academic year.

• Students on the graduation list before the Summer Sessions are not eligible.

• Must maintain a cumulative and/or semester GPA of 2.5. Retention may be based on individual consultation if GPA falls below 2.5.

Experience:

• While formal experience may not be strictly required, demonstrated interest and ability in graphic design are essential.

Required Skills:

• Proficiency in graphic design principles and software (specific software not listed, but assumed for portfolio).

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

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

• High motivation and a genuine interest in graphic design.

• Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to changing needs.

• Exceptional attention to detail.

• Excellent time management and ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with social media platforms for marketing or engagement.

• Basic understanding of website content management principles.

• Experience in content creation for marketing or promotional materials.

• Prior experience in a student leadership or residential life role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize academic standing and good conduct, which are standard for student employment roles at educational institutions. The explicit mention of Microsoft Office and Google Suite suggests these are the primary productivity tools, while the graphic design aspect implies familiarity with design software, which candidates should showcase in their portfolio.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Showcase: A portfolio demonstrating a range of graphic design projects, including flyers, pamphlets, social media graphics, and any other visual marketing materials.

• Brand Cohesion: Examples that illustrate an understanding of branding principles and the ability to maintain a consistent visual identity.

• Content Strategy Examples: Projects that show an ability to tailor content and design to specific audiences and marketing objectives for on-campus living.

• Process Documentation (Implied): While not explicitly stated, candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, from concept to final product, and how they manage feedback and revisions.

Process Documentation:

• Candidates are expected to discuss their process for creating marketing materials, including brainstorming, design execution, and collaboration.

• An understanding of content management systems or digital asset management (DAM) principles for organizing electronic files will be beneficial.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a student graphic design role, the portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase design talent but also the ability to execute projects aligned with the Residence Life office's branding and communication goals. Candidates should be ready to articulate their creative process and how their designs contribute to student engagement and the promotion of on-campus living.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $11.75 - $12.75 per hour

Benefits:

• Housing: Double-occupancy room with a roommate of the staff member’s choosing. If no roommate is chosen, the bed will be added to the vacancy list.

• Waived Housing Costs: Total housing costs for Summer Session 1, Summer Session 2, and Intersession are waived.

• Wage: Hourly pay for administrative hours worked outside of the on-call rotation.

• Work Award: Work award is not capped during the summer term.

Working Hours:

• Summer Hours/Week:

  • 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.

• On-Call Rotation: Expected to serve between 7 PM - 7 AM on weeknights and 24 hours a day on weekends. The duty phone must be held at all times during these periods.

• Mandatory Training: Specific dates will be provided upon job offer; includes Mental Health First Aid (weekend in late April) and Summer Training (in May).

• Regular Meetings: Every Monday, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Other meetings may be scheduled as necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The compensation package is a significant draw, including waived housing costs for multiple terms and a competitive hourly wage for student employment. The "not capped" work award during summer suggests flexibility for students who wish to work more hours, provided they manage their academic commitments. The on-call duty is a critical component of the role, requiring availability outside standard business hours.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education / Educational Services

Company Size: St. Olaf College is a mid-sized institution with approximately 1,000-5,000 employees.

Founded: 1886

Team Structure:

• Department: Office of Residence Life, part of Student Affairs.

• Reporting: The Graphic Designer Assistant reports to the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life & Student Conduct or their designee.

• Collaboration: This role collaborates closely with other Residence Life student staff (e.g., Resident Assistants, Community Coordinators), the Marketing and Communications Office, and potentially facilities operations teams.

Methodology:

• Branding & Communication: Focus on creating consistent and effective branding and communication strategies to promote on-campus living and support student success.

• Student Development: The role is framed within a student development context, aiming to provide valuable experiences and skills to student employees.

• Operational Efficiency: Support for Residence Life operations, including after-hours support and administrative tasks, contributes to the efficient functioning of the department.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: St. Olaf College, as a liberal arts institution, likely fosters a culture that values holistic student development, academic rigor, and community engagement. The Office of Residence Life plays a crucial role in shaping the student experience outside the classroom, and this position is integrated into that mission.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Entry-level Student Position. This role is designed for current undergraduate students, providing foundational experience in graphic design, marketing, and operational support within a university setting.

Reporting Structure: Direct reporting to the Associate Dean of Students for Residence Life & Student Conduct/Designee. This provides exposure to departmental leadership and strategic decision-making within student affairs.

Operations Impact: The Graphic Designer Assistant's work directly impacts the Residence Life department's ability to effectively communicate its offerings, attract students to on-campus housing, and maintain a positive living environment. Their visual content and social media efforts contribute to student engagement and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone graphic design skills, learn about marketing strategies, and gain experience in social media management and website content.

• Professional Etiquette: Develop essential workplace skills such as time management, teamwork, conflict resolution (through on-call duties), and professional communication.

• Networking: Build relationships with Residence Life staff, Student Affairs leadership, and potentially individuals in the Marketing and Communications office.

• Leadership Experience: Gain experience in a student leadership capacity, demonstrating responsibility, initiative, and problem-solving abilities.

• Career Exploration: Provides insight into potential career paths in graphic design, marketing, higher education administration, or student affairs.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a student role, it offers significant growth potential in transferable skills relevant to many professional fields. The direct interaction with leadership and the opportunity to contribute to visible marketing campaigns can be valuable resume builders for future employment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based within the Office of Residence Life at St. Olaf College, likely in a campus administrative building. This environment is typically collaborative, with shared office spaces and access to campus resources.

Office Location(s):

• Primary location: St. Olaf College campus, Northfield, MN.

• Specific office: Office of Residence Life.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect to work alongside other student staff and professional administrators within the Residence Life department.

• Tools & Technology: Access to campus IT resources, potentially a dedicated workstation with necessary design software, and standard office equipment.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with student leaders, professional staff, and potentially residents during housing transitions or when on-call.

Work Schedule: A combination of regular business hours for design and administrative tasks, and scheduled on-call shifts during evenings and weekends. Flexibility is required to accommodate training sessions and housing transition periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role means candidates will be immersed in the college campus environment. The expectation of being within 15 minutes of campus during on-call periods underscores the need for local accommodation or reliable transportation.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit resume, cover letter (if required), and portfolio link through the Oracle Cloud portal.

• Initial Screening: Applications will be reviewed based on qualifications, GPA, and adherence to student status requirements.

• Portfolio Review: Shortlisted candidates will likely have their portfolios reviewed for design quality, creativity, and relevance to the role's responsibilities.

• Interview: Candidates may undergo one or more interviews with the hiring supervisor (Associate Dean of Students) and potentially other Residence Life staff. Expect behavioral and situational questions.

• On-Call Simulation (Possible): Given the on-call component, interviewers might present hypothetical scenarios to assess problem-solving and communication skills.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Showcase 3-5 of your strongest and most relevant projects. Quality over quantity.

• Highlight Relevance: Include examples of marketing materials, social media graphics, or any work that demonstrates an understanding of audience engagement and branding.

• Showcase Process: Briefly explain your design process for key projects – concept, execution, and outcome.

• Clarity & Accessibility: Ensure your portfolio link is easily accessible and loads quickly. A personal website or a well-organized PDF is ideal.

• Tailor to Residence Life: If possible, include a mock-up or concept for a Residence Life-related campaign to demonstrate initiative and understanding of the role's context.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions about how you would handle specific on-call situations (e.g., noise complaints, resident disputes, facility issues after hours). Focus on de-escalation, problem-solving, and knowing when to escalate to a professional staff member.

• Design Challenges: Be ready to discuss your approach to design briefs, how you incorporate feedback, and manage tight deadlines.

• Communication Skills: Practice articulating the value of on-campus living and how your design work supports that message.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only design skills but also maturity, responsibility, and communication abilities, particularly for the on-call duties. A strong portfolio is essential, but so is the ability to articulate how one's skills and personality fit the Residence Life team's needs.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design Tools:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Likely includes Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. Proficiency in these or comparable professional design software is expected.

• Canva or Similar: May be used for quicker social media graphics or simpler designs, demonstrating adaptability.

Content Management & Productivity:

• Microsoft Office Suite: Word (for documentation), PowerPoint (for presentations), Excel (for tracking/data).

• Google Suite: Docs, Sheets, Slides for collaborative document creation and sharing.

• Website Content Management System (CMS): Familiarity with platforms like WordPress or similar is a plus for website content updates.

Communication & Collaboration:

• Email: Standard professional email communication.

• Phone: Essential for on-call duties and general communication.

• Collaboration Platforms: Potentially internal college systems or platforms for project management and team communication.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific software isn't listed, standard industry tools for graphic design (Adobe Creative Suite) and office productivity (Microsoft Office, Google Suite) are implied. Candidates should highlight their proficiency in these areas and any experience with web content management.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Student Success & Well-being: A core value in Residence Life, focusing on creating a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for students.

• Community Building: Emphasis on fostering a strong sense of community within residence halls.

• Inclusivity & Diversity: Commitment to creating an equitable and welcoming environment for all students.

• Responsibility & Accountability: High expectations for student staff in their roles, particularly concerning on-call duties and professional conduct.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Strong emphasis on working effectively with peers and professional staff.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Close collaboration with Residence Life professional staff, other student leaders, and the Marketing & Communications department.

• Feedback Loops: Openness to receiving and providing constructive feedback on designs and operational approaches.

• Shared Responsibility: A sense of shared ownership for the success of Residence Life initiatives and the well-being of residents.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture within a university Residence Life department is typically centered around student support, community development, and operational excellence. This role requires someone who aligns with these values and can contribute positively to the team's collaborative spirit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creative & Operational Demands: Juggling design projects with the responsibilities of an on-call rotation requires strong time management and prioritization skills.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Effectively communicating and collaborating with students, peers, professional staff, and potentially other departments.

• After-Hours Support: Handling sensitive resident issues or facility problems during on-call shifts requires maturity, discretion, and sound judgment.

• Adapting to Feedback: Incorporating feedback from multiple stakeholders on design projects while maintaining creative integrity.

• Maintaining Academic Standing: Ensuring that work responsibilities do not negatively impact academic performance, especially during busy periods like move-ins.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Creative Skill Enhancement: Practical application of graphic design skills in a professional context.

• Marketing Strategy Exposure: Learning about effective marketing techniques for student recruitment and engagement.

• Crisis Management & Problem-Solving: Developing skills in handling real-time issues during on-call duties.

• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Enhancing abilities to communicate effectively with diverse groups.

• Understanding Higher Education Operations: Gaining insight into the administrative and operational aspects of a university department.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents a valuable opportunity for students to develop a robust skill set that bridges creative and operational domains, preparing them for future careers. The challenges are typical of student leadership roles and offer significant learning curves.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to manage multiple competing priorities. How did you decide what to focus on?" (Assesses time management and prioritization).

• "How would you approach designing a flyer for an upcoming Residence Life event to ensure it attracts student attention?" (Assesses design thinking and audience awareness).

• "Imagine you receive an urgent call during your on-call shift regarding a resident dispute. What steps would you take?" (Assesses problem-solving, judgment, and de-escalation skills).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in working for the Office of Residence Life at St. Olaf College specifically?" (Assesses motivation and understanding of the department's mission).

• "What do you believe are the key components of a positive on-campus living experience?" (Assesses understanding of the role's context).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Walkthrough: Be prepared to verbally walk through 2-3 key projects from your portfolio. Explain the brief, your process, the tools used, and the outcome.

• Highlight Impact: For each project, emphasize how your design addressed the objective (e.g., increased engagement, conveyed information clearly, reinforced brand identity).

• Visual Aids: If possible, have your portfolio readily accessible on a laptop or tablet for easy viewing during a virtual or in-person interview.

• Connect to Role: Explicitly link the skills demonstrated in your portfolio to the requirements of the Graphic Designer Assistant role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating both creative aptitude and a mature, responsible approach to operational duties. Be ready to articulate how your design work supports the broader mission of Residence Life and how you would handle the responsibilities of the on-call rotation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this student operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided Oracle Cloud portal link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio clearly showcases relevant design work, including examples of marketing materials, social media graphics, and branding applications. Tailor your selection to highlight projects that align with the Residence Life office's mission and target audience.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize academic achievements, relevant technical skills (graphic design software, Microsoft Office, Google Suite), any leadership experience, and transferable skills such as communication, organization, and time management.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process, preparing for scenario-based questions related to on-call duties, and researching St. Olaf College's Residence Life department to demonstrate genuine interest and understanding.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with St. Olaf College's mission, values, and the specific initiatives of the Residence Life office. Understand how the role of a Graphic Designer Assistant contributes to the overall student experience and the college's goals.

⚠️ 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.