We strongly encourage HESA students to either hold a Graduate Assistantship (GA) or to work in a higher education institution or in a higher education-adjacent role. Although Graduate Assistantships are not required for admission to the HESA program, we help students who are seeking an assistantship to secure one through an interview process, which matches their interests and skills with available assistantships. Because our program aims to develop reflective practitioners in higher education and student affairs, we aim to support our HESA students in connecting our academic program with practical experience, whether that is through an assistantship or other employment in the field.
Graduate assistantships offer students the opportunity to combine the theories gained through classroom instruction, with supervised, real-world experiences. Assistantships are designed to give students the skills and knowledge to function effectively in the workplace. In addition, graduate assistantships at the University of Connecticut offer an exceptional compensation package, providing a full tuition waiver, and medical and dental insurance options. Graduate assistantships are usually nine-month positions, however some graduate assistantships can be extended through the summer between a student’s first and second years, and in rare instances may begin the summer prior to the start of their academic program.
For the 2023-2024 academic year, a typical Graduate Assistant stipend for a nine-month appointment will be $25,792.65. Additional pay may also be available for students who chose to stay on campus and work during the summer months. Graduate assistants are able to access employer-provided health and dental insurance and numerous other benefits including paid time off, partial fee waivers, and reduced-cost parking.
HESA students hold graduate assistantships in the Division of Student Affairs (e.g., Leadership and Organization Development), Office of Diversity and Inclusion (e.g., Women’s Center), Cultural Centers (e.g., Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center GAship), and other student affairs and services roles in academic and programmatic units.
Interview Process
Admitted students who seek a Graduate Assistantship will be invited to interview for available graduate assistantships. Interviews typically occur during the HESA Admitted Students Weekend, and in some instances may occur outside of that window of time. Shortly after the interviews, admitted students seeking a Graduate Assistantship will be notified of their candidacy.
Click Here for GA Opportunities for Academic Year 2023-2024
Current and Past HESA-Affiliated Graduate Assistantship Sites
Academic Center for Exploratory Students (ACES)
Asian American Cultural Center
Careers for the Common Good
Center for Academic Programs/Student Support Services
Center for Career Development
Center for Fraternity and Sorority Development
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences- Undergraduate Affairs and Outreach
Community Standards
Dean of Students Office
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
Graduate School
Office of Institutional Equity
Pre-College Summer
Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center (PRLACC)
Rainbow Center
School of Law- Graduate and International Programs
Student Activities- Community Outreach
Student Activities- Leadership and Organizational Development
Student Activities- Major Events and Programs
Student Activities- Student Union Board of Governors (SUBOG)
Student Union
Women’s Center