No discussion of specific funding decisions will occur until the admission process is complete.
Only students who have been admitted to WIU graduate programs will be considered for assistantship positions. RPTA students will receive priority on all RPTA departmental positions. Once all positions are filled this application will be taken down.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students will not be considered for assistantships until all required financial documentation has been submitted. International students who have not submitted all required paperwork by June 1, 2024 will not be considered for Fall 2024 assistantships. International students should not anticipate being funded in their first semester in the program.
The Graduate Coordinator of RPTA will publicize available assistantships and will serve as the point of contact. For more information about any of the positions, please contact Dr. Jeremy Robinett, Graduate Coordinator, at jl-robinett@wiu.edu
In order to apply for a position, please complete the form found below and upload a cover letter describing your qualifications for each of the positions for which you're applying. If you are applying for multiple positions, upload one letter that addresses qualifications for each position. Per Graduate School requirements, you will also need to submit three letters of recommendation prior to beginning a position.
Each position is awarded for one semester. Upon the completion of a successful evaluation, contracts may be renewed.
The application process is as follows:
- Applicants submit required materials
- Graduate Coordinator reviews documents and shares qualified applicants with appropriate agencies
- Agencies review documentation and request interviews with selected applicants
- Graduate Coordinator sets up interviews
- Interviews (usually done via Zoom)
- Once an agency makes its selection, the Graduate Coordinator will reach out to the student with an offer
- Contract request is submitted to Graduate Studies by the Graduate Coordinator
More information about graduate assistantships can be found here
Available positions:
Macomb Campus Positions within RPTH
Research, Recruitment and Office Administration Assistantships - RPTH Department -
13 hours a week - two positions
The Recruitment and Office Administration Graduate Assistant works with the faculty on departmental initiatives, including but not limited to, supporting faculty research, assisting in the coordination of recruitment activities, events, and providing assistance to the office manager.
Adapted Activites for All Assistantship - RPTH Department - 20 hours
The Adapted Activites for All: WIU Interdisciplinary Movement Program provides WIU students with hands-on experiences with students with disabilities. WIU students are grouped into multidisciplinary teams from RPTH and multiple majors across campus to work with 50-55 students from the West Central Illinois Special Education Cooperative (WCISEC) which consists of five counties surrounding Macomb. WCISEC students range in age from 4 to 21 years-old with various disabilities. WIU students have the opportunity to learn and implement strategies for programming and modifying activities to effectively set up a successful environment for children and youth with disabilities in both the pool and gym. The program is hosted eight times a semester.
The program occurs on Friday mornings from 10 am - 12 noon.
Challenge Course Graduate Assistantship - Horn Field Campus - 20 hours a week
Horn Field Campus, a 92-acre outdoor education and recreation facility, administered by the Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration, offers programming in teams courses, high ropes and a climbing tower. Recruit and maintain the facilitator pool at a level that will be able to serve the challenge course schedule. Conduct regular workshops and clinics for facilitators. Evaluate each facilitator, communicate to facilitators their level of ability and/or improvements needed. Maintain files for each facilitator indicating ability and performance. Plan and conduct challenge courses for groups scheduled. Contact groups for goals or ensure that facilitators do so. Ensure each group has filled out liability forms; maintain records of each participant group; maintain release forms for each group; follow up with each group to evaluate each program; record evaluation data and take action to improve programs based upon evaluations. Coordinate challenge course events and efforts with the other activities of HFC and the campus community
Facilities Management Graduate Assistantship - Horn Field Campus - 20 hours a week
The Facilities Manager Graduate Assistant is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds, facilities, and equipment of Horn Field Campus.
Accreditation Program Services Graduate Assistantship - American Camp Association - 20 hours a week
This graduate assistant will provide direct service to camps seeking or continuing their accreditation with ACA Illinois. This role includes consistent, timely communication, primarily over email and video conferencing, with camp professionals from a variety of camps including day, overnight, non profit, for profit, government, faith-based, special needs, and more. This role is vital to the mission of ACA Illinois because of its direct impact on the safety and quality of camps in Illinois. The Accreditation program influences, educates, and serves as the foundation for decision making for hundreds of camps throughout the state in matters of health, safety, risk management, and program quality. The behind the scenes work of the staff working with the Accreditation program impacts hundreds of thousands of lives in the state each summer. Works closely with faculty focused on camp experiences.
External - Macomb Campus Positions (partners with the RPTH Department)
Youth/Sport Programming - YMCA of McDonough County - 20 hours a week
This graduate assistant will assist in overseeing youth sports programs and events at the YMCA. They will work closely with the executive director to develop and oversee youth sport opportunities, including volunteer and officials recruitment and training.