Financial Assistance

The Environmental Education Department within Southern Oregon University recognizes the immense value in nurturing a diverse Environmental Education community, where all backgrounds and experiences are celebrated in the unity of our collective work toward access to environmental wellbeing for all. We honor the vibrant dimensions of diversity that people experience, and are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and successful experience in the field of Environmental Education for all students and participants. The EE department of SOU highly encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply for opportunities within our program.

Four one-year (three to four academic quarters) graduate assistantships are available through the Environmental Education (EE) program. Graduate assistants work 16 hours per week and earn 80% tuition remission at the in-state tuition rate during the terms they work, as well as a monthly stipend. Depending on the position, responsibilities may include managing the EE Office, developing activities and curricula, managing our Natural Science Kits, or working with area educators and environmental education providers. See below for more detailed descriptions.

A fifth graduate assistantship position to teach General Biology labs is available for those with sufficient background in biology. A position description is available below.

Other assistantships may be obtainable based on position availability and the applicant’s experience. Please contact us if you would like to learn more.

Position Descriptions

• Office Manager: Responsible for managing the EE Office, which includes communicating with prospective students and applicants, as well as compiling and organizing applicant files. Also responsible for assisting in maintaining the financial records for the EE Office budget; developing, duplicating and distributing marketing materials; developing and maintaining internship opportunities for graduate students; delegating activities and responsibilities to graduate assistants and other graduate students; organizing periodic informational and social gatherings for students in the EE program.
• Assistant Office Manager: Responsible for managing the EE Office budget and supporting the Office Manager. Also responsible for the recruitment and marketing of the graduate program, speaking with prospective students, assisting with incoming application materials, and ensuring applicant files are complete. This position may be for only 3 academic terms.
• Fall in the Field Coordinator: Tasked with the oversight of the annual place-paced educational program known as Fall in the Field. This Graduate Assistant will grasp overall program needs, act as a liaison between faculty and cohort, help plan Fall in the Field meetings, and encourage communication and leadership in the cohort during the program’s development.
• Outreach Coordinator/Kit Manager: Responsible for the development, management, and maintenance of the educational kit loan program which includes communicating with area teachers for educational outreach, maintaining the kits e-mail regularly, arranging for delivery and return of kits through the ESD Courier, inventorying and maintaining educational materials, and improving existing kits through the development of new activities and lessons. This position may be for only 3 academic terms.
• General Biology Lab Instructor: Will instruct two 2-hour lab sessions for General Biology in fall, winter, and spring. Responsibilities include: preparing for the lab, attending lecture, attending weekly lab meetings, grading student work, and maintaining office two hours per week. This position is for only 3 academic terms.

To Apply for an Assistantship

Please send a letter of intent outlining your qualifications for one or more graduate assistantship positions. Your letter should highlight the experience and skills that are pertinent to the position(s) but may not be apparent in your other application materials. Letters received by the January deadline will receive priority.

The Graduate Assistantship Essay should be sent to:

Environmental Education Office OR Seec@sou.edu
S.T.E.M. Division
Southern Oregon University
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, Oregon 97520

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What benefits do I get if I earn a graduate assistantship position?

A. You will receive 80% tuition remission (at the in-state rate) for the three to four terms that you are working. These are typically the first Fall, Winter, Spring, and/or second Summer terms. You will also receive a small monthly stipend during these months, usually around $400. Expect your training to occur when you first arrive in the summer. While your work as a graduate assistant will officially start your first Fall term, some responsibilities may shift from the previous cohort to you a few weeks leading up to this point as they will be running Fall in the Field.

Q. Should I specify which position I am applying for in my letter of intent?

A. While you are not obligated to specify which position you would like, you can indicate which position you are more qualified for or interested in.