Graduate Assistant Application

Required Qualifications:

• BA or BS from Virginia Tech completed by June 2026.
• Must have studied abroad through Virginia Tech for at least four consecutive weeks as an undergraduate student.
• Must be enrolled in a graduate program at Virginia Tech that will allow the student to spend the year at the Steger Center in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Have completed a semester or a month-long summer program at the Steger Center during their undergraduate experience
• Working knowledge of Italian
• Experience as a Steger Center ambassador
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Have some familiarity with the academic programs offered at the Steger Center

$2500 per month, room and board, tuition remission per university policy.

• Will work an average of 20 hours per week per regular GA contract (includes some evening and weekend availability).
• Has direct and regular contact with all students and faculty in residence in Riva San Vitale and works closely with the administrative and student life team at the Steger Center.
• Serves as an on-call member of the larger team in collaboration with the SLC at least one weekend a month for the duration of the term when students are in residence.
• Communicates regularly with Steger Center Student Life Leadership team (GA, TA, and Student Life Coordinator) to ensure efforts are aligned to support the student living-learning experience.
• Shares responsibility for the planning and implementation of weekly events that link students within the Casa Maderni living learning community and with the broader community in Riva San Vitale.
• Assists Steger Center students navigating life abroad, while also working with them to understand and ease the effects of “culture shock”.
• Offers academic support across programs.
• Works with faculty to support coordinated travel as needed.
• Advances the mission of the Casa Maderni LLC by organizing outreach educational activities that connect students with the Riva San Vitale and Ticino communities in Switzerland.
• Liaises with Cranwell Center and the Steger Center Ambassadors on Blacksburg, Virginia campus to ensure regular communication regarding student outreach and recruitment.