GPA - Graphic Design, MFA

Welcome to the official site for employment opportunities at MICA. At MICA, we empower our employees to use their talent in a variety of ways. We are pleased that you are interested in career opportunities offered at MICA.

Job Title: Graduate Program Assistant (MFA in Graphic Design)

Department: Office of Graduate Studies

Division: Academic Affairs

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Associate Director, Office of Graduate Studies

General purpose: Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs) support their Program Director to ensure the effective operation of their program. GPAs serve as graduate student leaders and work collaboratively with each other and the Office of Graduate Studies to promote dialogue, the exchange of information, and timely communications between students, directors, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Four (4) GPA positions are available within GDMFA beginning Fall 2025. GPAs who served in their first-year are welcome to reapply to serve a second year. GPAs are expected to commit to at least two semesters of service (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026).

Summary of Essential Functions

• Responsibilities as outlined below in Essential Duties & Responsibilities, Program-Specific Duties, and Focal Roles.

• As student leaders in the graduate community, GPAs are required to uphold graduate policies, procedures and standards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Attend and participate in GPA Training, Graduate Student Orientation, Student Voice Association and Graduate Student Council Meetings and Town Halls, and regular check-in meetings with the Office of Graduate Studies, including a minimum of two (2) Graduate Studies-sponsored leadership development opportunities, workshops, and/or discussion sessions over the course of the academic year.

• Support the Office of Graduate Admission during Graduate Admission Open House and Visit Days.

• Communicate important information from the Program Director and Office of Graduate Studies to students.

• Resolve student and programmatic issues, concerns, and solutions in dialogue with the Program Director.

• Monitor your program's shared spaces to ensure they are being used, cleaned, and shared in a responsible way; report any issues to the Program Director, Operations Coordinator, and/or MICA Facilities.

• Support Program Director with an annual series of programmatic activities including lectures, dinners, and hosting visiting artists and critics on campus. Related administrative duties including documentation of activities and updating the program's social media and mica.edu website pages may apply.

• Support Program Directors and the Office of Graduate Admission with various tasks related to the admission process including arranging for prospective student visits of the facilities.

• Report technical issues to Technology Systems and Service (TSS).

• Report maintenance issues to the Operations Coordinator and/or MICA Facilities.

GPAs will communicate clearly and courteously and respond quickly, maintaining sensitivity to the needs and cultures of individual graduate programs.

• GPAs will have a strong work ethic and must be prompt, focused, self-motivated, flexible. Must respond well to feedback and work towards a stress-free environment.

• GPAs will be able to work both independently and collaboratively.

Program-Specific Duties:

• Help keep all shared GDMFA spaces tidy (404 + 406 studios, production room, documentation room, kitchen, 413 classroom) including requesting housekeeping services and enforcing good hygiene from fellow designers.

• Assist in coordinating Visiting Artist visits; meeting guests, arranging accommodations, and setting up classrooms.

• Keep track of supplies and make sure needed supplies are ordered in a timely fashion.

• Help to ensure equipment and pedestal orders are placed in a timely fashion for thesis exhibition.

• Report problems with security and housekeeping to GD Administrative Assistant and Program Director as needed.

Focal Roles

Beyond the general shared GPA duties described above, there are focal roles assigned to each of our four GPA's that they will concentrate efforts on. As you consider applying for a GPA position, consider which roles you are particularly well-equipped to serve in.

Studio Manager GPA

• Monitors and maintains studio supplies such as laser printer paper and cutting mats for both

large and small studios

• Coordinates monthly cohort meetings with other GPAs and JCP and takes and shares meeting minutes

• Collaborates with the GD BFA program on shared tech, spaces, and events

• Works with Tech and Hospitality GPAs on inventory and confirms ordering, receiving, and restocking

• Organizes desk and flat file assignments and coordinates the Thesis Buddy system

• Leads the submission, tracking, and coordination of maintenance requests

• Works closely with Program Director and Faculty on all studio-related needs

Key Zone: Studios and 413

Technology GPA

• Manages supplies and tech in the Work Room and Documentation Studio including printers, computers,

light kits, and tripods

• Monitors ink, paper, and general supply inventories, and coordinates with the Studio Manager GPA for restocking

• Tracks high-demand print periods and ensures supplies are ordered and stocked in advance

• Makes sure classroom tech such as remotes and microphones is charged and ready

• Leads troubleshooting support for students using studio printers and scanners

• Maintains the organization and functionality of the Work Room and Documentation Studio

Key Zone: Work Room and Documentation Studio

Communications + Outreach GPA

• Creates and curates original posts about student life and student work

• Invites students to contribute content

• Reposts occasional content about alumni and faculty (when other content is slow)

• Ensures that G MFA posts new content at least twice a week

• Coordinates posts about the MFA Thesis exhibition and MFA Thesis books

• Helps maintain and update micadesign.org

• Supports outreach to prospective students and alumni

• Works with faculty to coordinate and document Design Talks

• Collaborates with the Hospitality GPA to plan events and create related social content

Key Zone: Studios and 413

Hospitality GPA

• Coordinates catering for weekend workshops and special studio days and is on site to receive food deliveries

• Monitors coffee and paper supplies and coordinates with the Studio Manager GPA for ordering

• Maintains lounge organization and handles day-to-day upkeep and restocking

• Organizes regular extracurricular events in and out of the studio (such as potlucks in 413 and off-site happy hours)

• Tracks GDMFA birthdays and holidays and organizes in-studio celebrations

• Leads Visiting Designer weekends by giving tours, signing in guests, and coordinating parking

Key Zone: Lounge and 413

Minimum qualifications:

• Enrollment as a student in the GDMFA program.

Student Performance Policy

The Office of Graduate Studies and Program Directors evaluate individual performance and attendance at required GPA events throughout the semester. Continuation in the GPA Program requires your consistent adherence to the roles and responsibilities listed above. The Office of Graduate Studies expects GPAs to participate in all required events and activities. Inconsistent participation can lead to dismissal from the GPA Program. If you are dismissed from your role as a GPA, your status as a student in your graduate program will not be affected.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to fifteen (15) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.

• Required training: GPA training and orientation.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.