Center for Community Service and Justice, International Immersion Programs

Period of employment:

One (1) or two (2) academic years (not including summer). This will include participation in our Service Coordinator training in late August tentatively scheduled for August 22, 24, 25, 26, &27.

Recipient will work 15 hours per week/ 15 weeks per semester, or approximately 250 hours per semester.  It will require some evening and weekend hours. 

Remuneration:  $3375 per semester, following a 50 percent stipend and 50 percent scholarship model ($1687.50 will automatically go towards tuition, $1687.50 will be provided as a stipend). 

**This amount is based on 250 hours/semester.  It may be prorated depending on when position is filled and how many hours of work will actually be completed during the semester.

• Must be enrolled as a graduate student at Loyola College.
• Current, ongoing experience with either service-learning, community service, and/or social justice education/work.
• Demonstrated communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills
• Ability and willingness to work with faculty, students, and community representatives.
• Ability to work flexible hours in the evening and weekends
• Computer skills to assist with database and auction book publication.

This position will assist with planning and administration of Project Mexico (PMex) and Encounter El Salvador, two of the College’s international immersion programs.  There is no requirement that the Graduate Assistant actually go on the programs. 

Established in 1987, the Project Mexico program provides students with an exciting opportunity to immerse themselves in a 10 day intense service and educational exchange with peoples and communities of Tijuana and Tecate Mexico. Students selected for this program participate in a semester of organized preparation, education, team building and fundraising, which culminates in the great annual Loyola tradition of the Project Mexico Auction.

Encounter El Salvador is a 10 day immersion experience in partnership between Loyola College’s Center for Community Service and Justice and CRISPAZ (Christians for Peace in El Salvador). The group spends the majority of their time in the capital city of San Salvador, learning about the many issues facing the Salvadoran people as well as the work that is being done by social service agencies and NGO’s, religious and educational institutions, and the government.  The Loyola group spends the weekend in a rural community outside of San Salvador, living with host families, joining them in some of their everyday activities, and learning about the community.

This position provides support to both programs.  This graduate position will involve detailed administrative record-keeping and paperwork specific to the auction as well as other opportunities to work with the student leaders and program development.

Position Duties:

1. Organize all international immersion participant paperwork, including health and liability forms, fee payment, and contracts.
2. Collaborate with student committees in conjunction with the program leaders and meet individually with Committee Chairs to overview the responsibilities and scope of their position.
3. Support Committee Chairs together with the respective moderator, with attention to development of leadership, group facilitation, delegation and social justice education skills.
4. Correspond with Loyola Department and Office representatives as needed.
5. Assist with planning and facilitating of the Auction especially the production of the Auction Booklet and other fund raising activities.
6. Develop participant lists and databases as needed for recordkeeping and program administration.
7. Complete administrative tasks associated with interviewing and acceptance.
8. Help with travel arrangements for site groups.
9. Assist with budget planning and recording.
10. Assist with development of instrument for program evaluation and with analysis of responses.

Contact Information

• Andrea Goicochea, Assistant Director of International Immersion Programs and Justice Education

• 410-617-5823 or mgoicochea@loyola.edu