Liberal Arts & Sciences Education and Societal Impact Research Assistantship

Description, Responsibilities, and Qualifications

The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) is committed to creating innovative educational experiences that make a visible and significant societal impact in our college and external communities. The LAS Education and Societal Impact Research Assistantship will support the LAS Academy for Educational Excellence and the Office of Public Engagement by contributing to program metric and data strategies in these priority areas. 

LAS ACADEMY FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE 

The LAS Academy for Educational Excellence serves as a space for faculty and instructional staff, including graduate teaching assistants, to develop teaching knowledge and expertise and share teaching excellence and innovation. 

LAS OFFICE OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT 

The LAS Office of Public Engagement aims to foster trusting and long-term collaborative community and campus partnerships that guide university resources and activities towards mutually beneficial outcomes for all of society. 

LAS EDUCATION AND SOCIETAL IMPACT RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP 

This position works with the LAS Fellow for Educational Excellence and Director of Public Engagement, who are developing and coordinating initiatives in these areas. The research assistant will support in several areas, including but not limited to the following: 

• Advance unit goals through identifying data sources and metrics, interpreting data, evaluating impact, and communicating takeaways. 
• Support program operations, including updating websites, contact lists, and WebTools with surveys, news, and events. 
• Develop programming and resources that enhance community-engaged teaching, graduate student focus on teaching, and/or public engagement. 

Summer Remote Work: From June 15–August 15, 2026, some remote work will be permitted if disclosed at the time of application; however, candidates cannot work remotely for more than 59 consecutive days between June 15–August 15 per the LAS Student Remote Work Policy. 

Academic Year On-Campus Expectations: From August 16, 2026 – May 15, 2027, the RA will be expected to attend in-person program events and meetings, which is an important professional development aspect of this position. Weekly meetings are generally expected to be in-person at the English Building. Unit events and programming are generally scheduled to be in-person in buildings on the Quad (and sometimes in the local community). 

The RA must be able to attend all sessions of the Fall 2026 LAS New Faculty Teaching Program and public engagement events. 

Required qualifications include the following: 

• Current graduate student at University of Illinois (no incoming students). 

• Experience as a Teaching Assistant at University of Illinois with evidence of dedication to teaching development. 
• Experience working with local communities, community service, or public engagement programs. Experience can include teaching (all levels), community-engaged coursework, community volunteering, faith-based service, student organization leadership/activities, and/or mentoring. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

Preferred qualifications include the following: 

• Evidence of teaching excellence. 
• Experience with program evaluation or qualitative data analysis. 
• Academic unit or graduate appointment experience in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. 

Past Examples of Work Completed by this Position:  Previous projects undertaken by this position include developing and implementing a 3-part series focused on community-engaged teaching, conducting research on current LAS teaching excellence and public engagement activities, and assisting with the new faculty teaching program.