Graduate Assistant - EXCEL Program Vocational Support Staff

Spring 2026 Graduate Assistant - EXCEL Program Vocational Support Staff Please see Special Instructions for more details.

The College of Graduate Studies (COGS) coordinates all of BSU’s Graduate Assistantships. For more information on the program or for the status of your application, please contact:
Cassie Birch
c1birch

Spring 2026 Graduate Assistant - EXCEL Program Vocational Support Staff

The Graduate Assistant (GA) will work 20 hours per week and receive up to 12 credits of tuition and student fee waivers: 9 for spring and 3 for summer.

The BSU EXCEL (Extraordinary Expectations for Career, Education, and Life) Program is excited to offer this unique assistantship to qualified graduate students who are looking for meaningful work in support of students with disabilities accessing Bridgewater State University. The EXCEL program offers individuals with autism, intellectual or other developmental disabilities an opportunity to access college in the areas of academics, vocational training, internships, and campus involvement.

Graduate students interested in working in service-oriented fields such as education, social work, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and counseling will truly benefit from the hands‑on experience they will gain through working with the students and staff in our program. Students who are pursuing graduate education in technical fields like Mathematics or Computer Science will also find the position helpful in their future career as they gain hands‑on experience in training other individuals.

In this position, the GA will work closely with program staff in supporting EXCEL students and their Education Coaches (school district aides who accompany students to campus, or college students who work in the excel program). The GA will be meeting with students on a regular basis to support the development of vocational skills, employability skills, and self‑determination skills while helping students and their Ed Coaches track progress using program evaluation tools.

The Graduate Assistant for this position will attend off‑campus training at other educational institutions and employment sites in surrounding areas. The position will require work hours in the afternoon two days a week and possibly driving students to training sites in neighboring towns. The Graduate Assistant must wear protective gear at times and follow strict safety protocols while supporting students in a vocational environment.

Throughout the academic year, the GA may have an opportunity to work 1:1 with an EXCEL program student, providing individualized supports as an Education Coach in classes, and as a Job Coach in internships. The EXCEL GA will be expected to work additional hours outside of the traditional academic year, including two weeks prior to and at the end of each semester in order to provide support for program orientations, trainings, and end‑of‑semester student meetings.

The GA will receive training and on‑going support from program staff. The EXCEL program is proud to offer this work‑based educational opportunity to graduate students interested in enhancing their academic experience here at BSU.

• Valid Drivers License
• Vocational Experience or Desire to Work in a Manufacturing Environment
• Ability to Work Early Evening hours Tuesday and Thursday evenings
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations of students
• Energetic, self‑starter who can complete multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.
• Fluency with Microsoft Office 365 and various social media platforms.
• Sensitivity to student needs, concerns, and individual issues, as well as flexibility, patience and high professional integrity
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Must maintain good judicial and academic standing

• Able to move around campus to support program students in classes and internships.
• Ability to stand for over one hour at a time.

Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State…