Schochet Endowment Associate

Primary Responsibilities

* Coordinate the Steven J. Schochet Interdisciplinary Dissertation Fellowship in Queer, Trans, & Sexuality Studies and the Summer Course Development & Enhancement Grant.
o Tasks include developing and implementing publicity; recruiting and organizing Schochet Advisory Board (SAB)/review committee; creating review materials, and facilitating award decisions. This work happens almost exclusively in the Spring semester.
o Throughout the year, checking in with former winners to offer support and ensure that they received their award.

* Coordinate the Steven J. Schochet Research Symposium. Tasks include securing speakers, facilities, and food (supported by Program Coordinator); creating and distributing marketing materials; program evaluation and follow-up with participants. This will occur in late-November.

* Serve as the primary contact to the Schochet Advisory Board (including the steward, Amy Johnson), and organize quarterly or monthly meetings as needed. This involves sending scheduling emails and offering 1:1 check-ins with SAB members who are unable to attend the larger meetings.

* Organizing educational initiatives (ex. collaboration with athletics, voice lab, etc)--the content of this
programming can definitely be informed by the interests of the employee.

* Creation of monthly education posts using scholarly literature and personal narratives from communities.

* Assist with the Queer Peer Mentorship (QPM) Program
o Application development and review, including mentor-mentee pairing
o Initiating mid-semester check-ins with mentor-mentee pairs to provide support and collect feedback from participants
o Assist with QPM programming (a kick-off social and end-of-semester celebration, at minimum)

* Other responsibilities as assigned by the GSC Director.
o Attending all-staff meetings, aiding in interview and onboarding of new student staff members, general support of queer & trans communities on campus.
o Supporting GSC staff at events throughout the year as a representative of the SJS Endowment.
o Required in-person lounge hours weekly based on student needs.

* Contact with the Foundation and Finance departments-the GSC director, Mycall, should be present when available. Senior Operations & Program Admin, Rick, is also a resource, since they assist with training.

Work Hours
Position will work primarily flexible hours with several set meetings per week. SJS Associate must attend all GSC staff meetings and training. This is primarily an academic year position (approximately early September - early May), but hours may start in July 2026 and extend through June 2027. Hours are 20 hours per week.

Required Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree

Preferred Qualifications
* Knowledge, understanding, and willingness to learn and educate about queer and trans-related topics and the multiple intersectional identities of the LGBTQIA+ community (race, ability, religion, etc.).
* Familiarity with UMN graduate/professional student culture(s).
* Commitment to GSC's social justice values, mission, and vision.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Organizational talent, including attention to detail & multiple deadlines.
* Able to work independently and as a member of a team.
* Current or previous involvement with LGBTQIA+ organizations and/or other equity-minded groups.
* Intermediate computer experience and program knowledge (Google Suite, Canva, Zoom)

About the Gender and Sexuality Center
The Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life (GSC) is dedicated to transforming campus climate for University of Minnesota students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members by developing and supporting more inclusive understandings of gender and sexuality through education, advocacy, outreach and support. Our vision is to have a campus that is the national model for intersectional understandings of gender and sexuality, by continuously engaging with University of Minnesota students, staff, faculty, alumni, and the broader community.
We recognize the intersections of gender and sexuality with race, ethnicity, class, ability, age, culture, nationality, immigration status, and all social systems. We work to build and bridge communities that welcome and affirm people to be their whole selves, honoring their multiple identities and life experiences. We work to fight systems of oppression that marginalize individuals and communities based on social identities.

About the Endowment
Steven J. Schochet was a student at the University of Minnesota in the late 1950's. As an openly gay man, he received harassment from students, faculty, and staff members. Steven was threatened with expulsion from the University due to his sexual orientation and, in order to continue his education, was required to begin psychotherapy in order to "turn him straight." During his time here, Steven was not accepted nor affirmed by his campus community.

After achieving success in the computer industry, Steven bestowed a generous endowment to the University of Minnesota's GSC (formerly GLBTA Programs Office ) in 1996. He called this endowment a "gift of accountability." By this Steven did not mean to reward the University, rather hold the University accountable for its actions. The goal of this endowment was and is to improve campus climate for all LGBTQIA identified students and to ensure that no future students at the University would ever receive the same, poor treatment that Steven received as a student here. The Steven J. Schochet Endowment for GLBT Studies is managed by the GSC and is overseen by the Schochet Advisory Board.

Pay Range: $23.00; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Black, Brown, and Indigenous, trans, and gender nonconforming folk, and women are highly encouraged to apply!

Candidates may send the following to the GSC's email: gsc@umn.edu. Qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. Interviews will be conducted on a first-come-first-served basis. If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or accessibility needs, please contact gsc@umn.edu.
* Cover letter
* Current resume
* 2 professional references

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.