Student Affairs Graduate Assistantships
Launch your education and career as a graduate assistant in Student Affairs and Academic Support! Below is information about various positions being offered and the benefits of working on campus. All majors are welcomed and encouraged to apply.
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Discover Carolina Visit Information
Discover Carolina offers prospective students the chance to network with faculty, students and fellow candidates while experiencing life at USC firsthand. It is designed to help candidates better understand the program and the Carolina experience.
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Welcome Home
In the heart of South Carolina lies Columbia, home of our beautiful university. The University of South Carolina feeds the energy in the air with education, business partnerships, research and so many opportunities to get involved.
Upcoming Dates
Friday, January 8 — Deadline to complete the Discover Carolina Form and complete an application under
Position Descriptions that is of interest to you in order to participate in interviews
by 11:59 EST
Friday, February 5 — Deadline to RSVP to emailed invitation for Discover Carolina 2027
Thursday, February 18 - Saturday, February 20 — Discover Carolina
Thursday, February 25 — Candidates receive HESA GA offers
Monday, March 1 — Virtual meetings with matched office
Thursday, April 15 — Deadline for candidates to accept or decline a HESA assistantship offer
Position Descriptions
Below you will find theposition descriptions for all Graduate Assistantships that will be available to apply
to for the Fall 2027 HESA program start. Admitted students will be eligible to register
for the GARP processstarting in December and submit formal applications to all GA positions they would like to be considered for in January.
- Career Center: Experiential Education Team Member
- Career Center: Career Peer Educator
- Communications and Marketing
- Human Resources
- Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
- Student Disability Resource Center
- Student Life: Civic Engagement & Leadership Programming
- Student Life: Gamecock Entertainment
- Student Success Assessment
- Student Success Center for Supplemental Instruction
- University 101 Programs
- University Housing: Assistant Residence Life Coordinator
Contact Us
Please contact the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Program Coordinator
with any program, curriculum or application questions. All students admitted to the
HESA program will hear from this office after admission notification in December.
Dr. Chas Thompson, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Program Coordinator
College of Education
Email: ct64@mailbox.sc.edu
For all other questions about the graduate assistantship program, please email our
human resource student employment office at saashr@mailbox.sc.edu.
Deciding to come to USC for HESA was one of the best decisions I've ever made. This program gave me the opportunity to learn from and work with some of the most kind, dedicated, and intentional people I've ever met. Throughout my two years, I was able to gain experience working in many different areas of student affairs, which helped prepare me to step into my new role as the Program Coordinator for Faculty Development with University 101 Programs after graduation! Everyone here wants you to be successful and works hard to make this place feel like a home!
Program Benefits
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Paid Graduate Assistantship
Full tuition and bi-monthly stipend between August 2027– May 2028. Each Graduate Assistant must complete 20-hours each week of work in their matched office.
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Tuition Remission
Full tuition is covered (minus fees) when securing a Graduate Assistantship within the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support.
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Real-World Experience
Graduate Assistantships provide unmatched professional experience in a theory to practice based model. Students will also have the opportunity to complete a Practicum in a different USC office, apply for internships, apply to teach U101 and more.
I would not be the professional I am today if it weren't for the relationships I formed in the HESA program. My classmates, supervisors, faculty, and staff all played pivotal roles in my development and leadership through their authentic guidance. These relationships have positively influenced the approach to the work I do. All of the experiences and skills I learned through the HESA program prepared me to become a well-rounded student affairs professional ready to jump into the field and serve students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students interested in GARP should apply by the priority deadline of December 1.
Yes. USC states the program aligns with ACPA/NASPA professional competencies for student affairs educators.