Student hourly project assistant

Department Overview:

Approved by the Board of Regents in 1970, the Department of African American Studies (formerly Afro-American Studies) is an outgrowth of the student concern for relevance in higher education which was so dramatically evidenced on many college campuses during the late 1960s. Today, the department offers a wide variety of courses leading to both undergraduate and graduate degrees and is one of the most successful programs in the country.

Anticipated Start Date:

11/16/2026

Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):

6/30/2027

Remote Work Eligibility Detail:

Not Remote

Anticipated Hours Per Week:

Minimum: 5 Maximum: 15

Schedule:

5 to 15 hours per week. Hours will vary based on the program activities. Schedule will be determined upon hire with some flexibility to accommodate student's class schedule. Must be available on call on Saturdays between 8am-4pm.

Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:

Minimum: $18 Maximum: $25

Number of Positions:

1

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired, OR in advanced stages of bachelor’s degree with strong comparable skills
• Experience with Excel, Word, Google Docs
• Must be punctual and prompt when attending activities on time and submitting projects by the desired deadlines
• Commitment to social justice and community-centered education

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current graduate student preferred
• Experience managing budgets, tracking expenses, or processing invoices
• Experience in a research, nonprofit, school, or community-based setting
• Familiarity with grant-funded budgets and reporting
• Existing relationships with Madison area Black-led or youth serving organizations
• Valid driver's license to operate UW fleet vehicles

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Previous experience or comparable skills demonstrating effective administrative tasks management
• Excellent interpersonal communication, group facilitation, and social emotional skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse student body and staff
• Strong administrative and organizational skills
• Ability to commit to the role for the required period mid-November to end of June 2027

Position Summary/Job Duties:

About the Role:

The Student Hourly Project Assistant supports the research team and SoulFolks by managing the budget, logistics, vendors, and partnerships that make the work possible. You will work closely with the Principal Investigator, Jessica Lee Stovall, and the Co-PI, Naomi Mae W., research staff, and the Administrative Manager of the Department of African American Studies at UW-Madison. Most responsibilities can be done from the Department offices on UW Campus, but the role will require on site presence at the school location off Campus for tasks such as organizing food for the research program and setting up materials. In addition, the Project Assistant will need to be on call on the Saturdays (8am-4pm) of the school in case of challenges with catering or transportation.

Responsibilities:

• Budget management: Track expenditures from various budget categories, review and reconcile accounts. Under the guidance of the Department Administrator, submit vendor invoices for payment, and enter expenses for reimbursements. Prepare regular budget reports for the research team and department administration.
• Purchasing: Following UW policies, order work and school supplies through UW's approved vendors purchasing portal; order snacks for each Saturday school session. Keep weekly track of all purchases that are made on Excel. Keep an inventory of materials and help organize them throughout the research project.
• Contracts and catering: Following UW policies, and under the guidance of the Department Administrator work to identify, negotiate with, and to create purchase orders with caterers for a community breakfast and school lunch, accommodating dietary needs and budget limits.
• Transportation: Arrange and schedule transportation for youth and staff.
• Community partnerships: Connect with community partners and local organizations for workshops or volunteer opportunities. Maintain relationships and coordinate communication and scheduling.
• Documentation: Record project progress, keep records organized, and compliant with funder and institutional requirements. Supports the development and management of staff compliance documents and tracking with Youth Protection Services.

Physical Demands:

Able to perform work on a computer. A sit to stand desk will be provided in Departmental office space.

Institutional Statements:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu

Accommodation Statement:

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/