University Student Assistant - Mimosa Graphic Designer (Summer 2026 - Fall 2026)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: University Student Assistant - Mimosa Graphic Designer (Summer 2026 - Fall 2026)

Company: Jacksonville State University

Location: Jacksonville, AL (Main Campus)

Job Type: Part-Time, Temporary

Category: Marketing & Communications Operations / Creative Services

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the creative and logistical aspects of producing the university's yearbook, "The Mimosa," requiring strong graphic design and layout skills.

• It involves utilizing industry-standard design software on a MAC platform to create visually appealing and informative content for the yearbook.

• The position also encompasses supporting the Marketing and Communications department with various clerical and design-related tasks, contributing to overall departmental efficiency.

• This is a student-focused opportunity, designed to provide practical experience within a university's marketing and communications operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional Revenue or Sales Operations role, this position involves operational execution within a marketing department, specifically concerning content production and asset management for the university yearbook. The emphasis on design software, workflow adherence, and departmental support aligns with operational responsibilities in creative services.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Yearbook Design and Layout: Execute the comprehensive layout and design of Jacksonville State University's yearbook, "The Mimosa," ensuring a visually engaging and cohesive final product.

• Creative Software Proficiency: Utilize Adobe Creative Cloud suite, with a specific focus on Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop, to produce high-quality graphic assets and page designs.

• Content Creation Assistance: Support the Marketing and Communications department with additional graphic design projects as needed, contributing to various university initiatives.

• Clerical Support: Perform essential clerical tasks to assist the department, ensuring smooth daily operations and administrative efficiency.

• Policy Adherence: Strictly adhere to all established department and University policies and procedures, maintaining a professional and compliant work environment.

• Confidentiality Management: Uphold the confidentiality of all information encountered during the course of duties.

• Interpersonal Collaboration: Demonstrate the ability and willingness to work effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities lean heavily into creative execution. However, the "Clerical duties as needed" and "Additional design work as required" indicates a need for flexibility and a willingness to contribute to broader operational tasks within the department, which is common in student assistant roles supporting larger teams.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Must be currently enrolled as a student at Jacksonville State University, taking a minimum of three (3) credit hours during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Experience:

• While formal experience is not strictly required, demonstrated proficiency in graphic design software is essential.

Required Skills:

• Graphic Design Software: Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud, specifically Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop.

• Layout and Design: Ability to create visually appealing layouts for print publications.

• MAC OS Proficiency: Comfortable working with MAC computers and their operating systems.

• Clerical Skills: Basic administrative and organizational skills for supporting departmental tasks.

• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with team members, faculty, and students.

• Time Management: Capability to manage tasks and meet deadlines within a specified work schedule.

• Adaptability: Willingness to take on diverse tasks and adjust to departmental needs.

Preferred Skills:

• Dedicated Graphic Design Student: Currently pursuing a degree in Graphic Design or a related creative field.

• Creative Cloud Expertise: Advanced skills and creative application of the entire Adobe Creative Cloud suite.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Preferred Qualifications" strongly suggests that candidates with a background in graphic design will be highly favored. The "Required Skills" are framed around the immediate needs of the job, but a candidate demonstrating a passion for design and a proactive learning attitude will likely stand out. For operations roles, the ability to manage tasks efficiently and adhere to processes (even creative ones) is key.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Design Work Samples: Showcase a minimum of 3-5 diverse graphic design projects, ideally including examples of layout design for publications (e.g., brochures, newsletters, or previous yearbook pages if available).

• Software Proficiency Demonstration: Include projects that clearly demonstrate proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. Highlight specific techniques or complex elements used.

• Creative Process Documentation (Optional but Recommended): Briefly describe the creative process for 1-2 key projects, outlining conceptualization, design choices, and revision stages. This demonstrates an understanding of workflow.

• Visual Storytelling: Projects should illustrate an ability to convey information and university spirit effectively through visual design.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Adherence: While not a formal documentation requirement for applicants, be prepared to discuss how you would approach managing design tasks within a set workflow.

• Feedback Integration: Be ready to discuss your experience receiving and incorporating feedback on creative work, a crucial aspect of departmental operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a graphic design role within an operations context, the portfolio is paramount. It serves as the primary evidence of the candidate's ability to execute the core functions of the role. While formal "process documentation" isn't requested, the expectation is that a candidate can articulate their design process, demonstrating an organized approach to creative tasks.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $10.00 per hour.

Benefits:

• Practical Experience: Gain valuable hands-on experience in graphic design, layout, and publishing within a university marketing and communications department.

• Skill Development: Opportunity to hone skills in Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign, and Photoshop.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Build a professional portfolio with tangible work samples from a real-world project.

• Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with university staff, faculty, and fellow students, expanding professional connections.

• On-Campus Work: Convenient work location on the Jacksonville State University main campus.

Working Hours: Maximum of 26 hours per week, aligning with student availability and academic commitments during the Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 semesters.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated hourly wage aligns with typical student assistant positions in higher education. The primary "benefit" is the experiential learning and portfolio development, which is crucial for students entering the job market. The maximum weekly hours are designed to accommodate a student's academic schedule.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Higher Education. Jacksonville State University (JSU) is a public university committed to providing quality education and fostering student success.

Company Size: JSU is a medium to large institution, employing a significant number of faculty and staff, with a large student body. This implies a structured environment with established operational processes.

Founded: Jacksonville State University was founded in 1883. Its long history suggests a stable and established institutional culture.

Team Structure:

• Departmental Focus: The role is within the Marketing and Communications department, a central operational unit responsible for the university's public image, recruitment, and internal communications.

• Reporting: The student assistant will likely report to a Marketing and Communications manager or a designated lead responsible for the yearbook and design projects.

• Collaboration: Expect to collaborate with other student assistants, marketing staff, and potentially faculty or student organizations involved with "The Mimosa."

Methodology:

• Content Production Workflow: The department will have established processes for content gathering, design creation, review, and publication for "The Mimosa."

• Brand Standards: Adherence to JSU's brand guidelines will be a core operational requirement for all design work.

• Project Management: Tasks will likely be assigned and tracked through a system, requiring organization and timely completion.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Working within a university marketing department means operating within a structured, often bureaucratic, yet collaborative environment. The emphasis will be on executing defined processes and contributing to the university's brand and communication goals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level, student assistant position. It serves as an foundational opportunity for individuals interested in creative services, marketing operations, or communications within an institutional setting.

Reporting Structure: The student assistant will report to a supervisor within the Marketing and Communications department, likely a Marketing Specialist, Designer, or Manager. This provides direct guidance and oversight.

Operations Impact: While not directly tied to revenue generation, this role significantly impacts the university's brand representation and student engagement through the creation of the yearbook. High-quality design contributes to the perception of professionalism and institutional pride.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, and potentially explore other design software or related marketing tools.

• Project Management Exposure: Gain experience in managing design projects from concept to completion, including meeting deadlines and incorporating feedback.

• Industry Insight: Develop an understanding of marketing and communications operations within the higher education sector.

• Networking: Build professional connections within the university that could lead to future opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is primarily about skill acquisition and foundational experience. Growth is defined by mastering the technical skills of design and understanding how creative services function within a larger operational framework.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work will be performed on-site at Jacksonville State University's main campus, within the Marketing and Communications department facilities.

Office Location(s): Jacksonville, AL (Main Campus). Specific building and office details would be provided upon hiring.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Space: You will be working within a professional office environment alongside marketing staff and potentially other student assistants. This offers opportunities for peer learning and feedback.

• Technology Access: Essential tools, including MAC computers equipped with Adobe Creative Cloud, will be provided for your use.

• Team Interaction: Regular interaction with your direct supervisor and other team members is expected for task assignment, clarification, and project reviews.

Work Schedule: Flexible, up to 26 hours per week, designed to accommodate academic schedules. Specific hours will be arranged with the supervisor to ensure departmental coverage and project completion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site nature of the role is crucial. It allows for direct collaboration, access to provided equipment, and immersion in the university's operational environment, which is vital for a student assistant role.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Application Submission: Submit a Cover Letter, Resume, and Unofficial Transcript.

• Portfolio Review: Applicants will be evaluated based on their submitted design portfolio. This is a critical step.

• Interview: Shortlisted candidates will likely undergo an interview with the hiring manager(s) to discuss their skills, experience, and fit for the role.

• Skills Demonstration (Potential): Be prepared for a potential brief design exercise or to walk through your portfolio and explain your design choices and process.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Your Best Work: Select 3-5 high-quality projects that best showcase your layout and design skills, especially those using InDesign and Photoshop.

• Highlight Relevance: If you have any university-related design work or projects that demonstrate an understanding of branding or publication design, prioritize those.

• Showcase Process: For 1-2 key projects, be ready to briefly explain your design thinking, the tools you used, and how you approached revisions or feedback.

• Organize Clearly: Ensure your portfolio is easy to navigate, whether it's a digital link (e.g., Behance, personal website) or a PDF. Label each piece clearly with the software used.

Challenge Preparation:

• Design Exercise: If a design exercise is given, focus on understanding the prompt, using the specified software efficiently, and delivering a clean, well-designed output within the time limit.

• Portfolio Walkthrough: Practice explaining your design choices, your use of software, and the impact or purpose of your work concisely and confidently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the primary gatekeeper for this role. Applicants must treat its preparation with the same seriousness as a resume or cover letter. Demonstrating not just technical skill but also a thoughtful approach to design and an ability to articulate that process is key.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Adobe Creative Cloud: The central suite of design software.

  • Adobe InDesign: Essential for page layout and publication design (yearbook).
  • Adobe Photoshop: Crucial for image editing, manipulation, and graphic creation.

• MAC Operating System: The platform on which the design software will be used.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, particularly InDesign and Photoshop, is non-negotiable. Familiarity with the MAC OS is also a direct requirement. This focus on specific software tools is typical for creative operations roles.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Design: A commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing work that represents the university effectively.

• Collaboration and Teamwork: Working effectively with others to achieve common goals, particularly in the production of "The Mimosa."

• Efficiency and Timeliness: Meeting deadlines and managing tasks effectively to ensure the yearbook is produced on schedule.

• Professionalism: Adhering to university policies, maintaining confidentiality, and demonstrating a responsible work ethic.

• Creativity and Innovation: Bringing fresh ideas and creative solutions to design challenges.

Collaboration Style:

• Open Communication: Expect a culture where communication about design tasks, feedback, and project status is encouraged.

• Feedback-Driven: The process will likely involve receiving and providing constructive feedback on design work to ensure quality and alignment with departmental goals.

• Task-Oriented: The team works towards specific project deliverables, such as yearbook pages, requiring a focus on task completion and mutual support.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture will likely blend the creativity of a design team with the structured operational requirements of a university department. Expect a balance between artistic expression and adherence to institutional standards and deadlines.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Meeting Deadlines: The primary challenge will be managing design tasks effectively to meet strict publication deadlines for the yearbook.

• Balancing Multiple Projects: Juggling yearbook design with other potential design requests and clerical duties requires strong organizational skills.

• Incorporating Feedback: Learning to effectively interpret and integrate constructive criticism from supervisors and potentially other stakeholders.

• Maintaining Brand Consistency: Ensuring all design work adheres to Jacksonville State University's brand guidelines while still being creative.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Technical Skill Enhancement: Advanced practice with Adobe InDesign and Photoshop in a professional context.

• Publication Design Expertise: Gaining practical experience in the end-to-end process of creating a yearbook.

• Professional Communication: Developing skills in communicating design ideas, receiving feedback, and collaborating within a team.

• Understanding University Operations: Learning how a university's Marketing and Communications department functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents practical challenges that are common in operations environments: time constraints, stakeholder management (even if internal), and quality control. Overcoming these challenges directly contributes to professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Can you walk me through your process for designing a yearbook spread, from initial concept to final output?" (Focus on how you use InDesign, incorporate images, and manage text flow.)

• Software Proficiency: "Describe a challenging design task you completed using Adobe Photoshop or InDesign. What features did you leverage?"

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine a design element isn't working as expected in InDesign. How would you troubleshoot it?"

• Time Management: "How would you prioritize your tasks if you had both yearbook deadlines and urgent design requests from another department?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Jacksonville State University's brand or its yearbook, 'The Mimosa'?" (Show you've done your research.)

• "How do you handle receiving constructive criticism on your creative work?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project in your portfolio, briefly explain the objective, your role, the tools used, your design choices, and the outcome.

• Highlight Technical Skills: Be ready to point out specific features or techniques you used in InDesign or Photoshop.

• Demonstrate Process: Briefly touch upon any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

• Keep it Concise: Aim for a brief, impactful overview of each piece without getting bogged down in excessive detail.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating technical design skills, understanding of the publication process, and an ability to articulate creative decisions and processes clearly. The university context is also important; showing an understanding of its mission and brand is beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this student assistant position:

• Submit your application through the specified application link.

• Portfolio Customization: Ensure your portfolio is tailored to showcase relevant design skills, particularly layout design using Adobe InDesign and image manipulation in Adobe Photoshop. Include examples that demonstrate creativity and an understanding of publication design.

• Resume Enhancement: Clearly list your proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, InDesign, and Photoshop. Highlight any relevant coursework, projects, or prior experience in design or administrative support. Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., "Designed 10 pages for student publication").

• Cover Letter Focus: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for contributing to "The Mimosa" and the Marketing and Communications department, and articulate how your design skills align with the role's requirements. Mention your current student status at JSU.

• Transcript Submission: Provide an unofficial transcript to verify your current enrollment and GPA status as required.

• Research JSU: Familiarize yourself with Jacksonville State University's mission, values, and branding to better understand the context of the role and demonstrate your interest.

⚠️ 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.