Graduate Resident Director

Graduate Assistant:
Two-year commitment from Summer 2026 to Spring 2028

Simpson University, a Christ-centered institution affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), is seeking exceptional undergraduate student leaders from across the nation who feel called to launch a career in higher education student development. We are seeking proven student leaders to be involved in Residence Life, Student Activities, Life Coaching and Retention, and Living-Learning Communities.

Our goal is to prepare young professionals to go into the ministry of Student Life through an apprenticeship process.

GAs (Graduate Assistant) must qualify and be accepted into a Student Development graduate program at a CCCU institution or one of Simpson’s graduate programs in Education, Organizational Leadership, Ministry Leadership, or Divinity. GAs receive room and board, tuition reimbursement up to $15,000 annually, and a stipend of $5,000 per semester.

• Serving as a Resident Director for approximately 100 students in on-campus housing
• Acting as a Life Coach and mentor for 20 incoming freshmen in their residence hall, including teaching in the First-Year Seminar course
• Receiving focused mentorship and an annual specialty assignment in one of the following Student Development areas: missions, intramurals, student government, spiritual formation, staff hiring/training, media/yearbook, academic tutoring, or e-sports/club sports

These apprenticeships provide hands‑on experience, professional mentoring, and spiritual formation—equipping GAs to excel in higher education and student development ministry.

• A vibrant, growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a clear sense of calling to vocational ministry in higher education
• Mature Christian character evidenced by humility, teachability, integrity, and a servant’s heart
• Active involvement in campus or local church ministry
• Commitment to personal holiness, spiritual disciplines, and accountability
• Ability to articulate their faith story and how God has led them toward student development ministry

• Proven undergraduate student leadership (RA, student government, ministry team leader, camp counselor, missions team leader, local ministry leader, etc.)
• Natural ability to connect with, disciple, and influence 18–22-year-olds from diverse backgrounds
• Emotional intelligence, conflict‑resolution skills, and a pastoral presence in difficult conversations
• Heart for mentoring and discipling the next generation; sees college students as future church and societal leaders
• Enthusiasm for creating Christ‑centered community and helping students integrate faith and learning

• Clear sense of calling to full‑time Christian higher education as a mission field
• Eagerness to be formed and mentored; views the GA role as an apprenticeship rather than just a job or tuition benefit
• Willingness to sacrifice personal comfort for the sake of students’ spiritual growth (late nights, crisis response, relational investment)
• Desire to pursue lifelong learning in theology, counseling, leadership, and student development theory through graduate studies

• Alignment with Simpson University’s statement of faith, lifestyle expectations, and community standards
• Passion for the unique ethos of Christian residential education (chapel, floor devotions, service projects, spiritual formation programs)
• Resilience and joy in a high‑demand, highly visible role that blends professional work, graduate studies, and 24/7/365 availability serving on a rotational duty with 6 GAs
• Bachelor’s degree required and acceptance into a Student Development themed master’s degree. We do not offer Student Affairs degree at Simpson, but we do offer a MA in Ministry Leadership which will partner with this GA program well.
• GAs must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be able to take classes online or on campus at Simpson during the academic year. This is a two‑year GA rotation and if your graduate program completed in less than two years, we will…