Position title: SAGE research assistant

Position category: Student - Graduate Assistants

Appointment term: A = 12 months

Appointment type:

• Number of years restricted (Y)


• Up to 2 years

Work hours: This is a 25%, 10 hour per week appointment starting in September 2007.

Hourly rate: $16.22

Job open date: 08-20-2007

Job close date: 08-31-2007

Required qualifications:

• Currently enrolled for coursework in a University of Minnesota graduate or professional degree program during the academic year


• Doctoral student in EdPA


• Interviewing skills


• Statistical knowledge and SPSS experience


• Excellent writing skills


• Excellent verbal communication skills


• Ability to work collaboratively and independently with good attention to detail

Preferred qualifications:

• Background in study abroad administration or other international educational exchange area


• Survey research/survey development skills


• Strongly prefer individual with interest in research topic

Duties/responsibilities:

• Immediate: assist in conducting pilot survey, help finalize survey instrument, maintain communication with 24 partner institutions


• Long-term: write interview protocol and conduct interviews with select survey respondents, analyze data, write research findings, present findings at various conferences

Program/Unit Description: The University of Minnesota was awarded a three-year Department of Education Title VI International Research and Studies (IR/S) grant in May 2006 (2006-2009). The title of the study is "Beyond Immediate Impact: Study Abroad for Global Engagement" (SAGE). This DOE-funded research program seeks to examine the near-term and long-term personal, professional, and social capital outcomes associated with study abroad experiences that occur during the college years. The researchers define 'social capital' as the contributions a person makes to the common good by means of civic engagement, knowledge production, social entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. With a focus on long-term impact, this study will be a retrospective tracer study using a design developed by the co-principal investigators Gerald W. Fry and R. Michael Paige. It is expected to involve some two thousand individuals from across a broad spectrum of U.S. universities.

Application instructions: Applicants must submit a current CV, a cover letter explaining their background and interests as they relate to the position, and the names and contact information for two references. Applications should be sent by e-mail to Professor Michael Paige at r-paig@umn.edu (phone: 612-624-7456), and to Professor Gerald Fry at gwf@umn.edu.