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Graduate Assistant - Department of Media Relations

Graduate Assistantship 

Department: Media Relations

Position Title: Graduate Assistant

Provost Tracking #: FY26-EXR-02

Supervisor Name & Title: James Smith, Director of Media Relations

Academic Year: Fall 2025 through Spring 2026

Description of Services Provided by the Department: The Office of Media Relations at St. John’s University works with internal and external media to inform the public of our mission, superior academics, global footprint, faculty expertise, student success, and our overall practices in a positive, consistent, and credible manner. We coordinate directly with print, internet, television, and radio journalists to assist them in producing news and feature stories and various content about the University. The staff members from the Office of Media Relations are the only people authorized to speak on behalf of the University in an official capacity.

Description of the student learning experience: The learning experience will be aligned to the student’s major This position reports directly to the Director of Media Relations. This person should be an outgoing, energetic, and creative student who is a clear self-starter. The ideal candidate should want to develop skills and training in public relations, media relations, marketing, broadcast, or print journalism. The graduate assistant will also be able to promote events and work with the media in a fast-paced environment. The Graduate Assistant will gain a wealth of real-world experience that can be applied to the business world.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be enrolled full time (9+ credits) in an approved academic program (see below).
  • Must maintain good academic standing and meet the enrollment requirements.
  • Must commit to working 20 hours per week as part of the assistantship/fellowship.
  • Most work can be conducted during business hours. Evening and weekend work as needed.
  • Note: This is an in-office position.
  • Contact Person to receive resumes: Diane Blascovich: blascovd@stjohns.edu

Accepted Academic Programs

  • Applicants must be pursuing a graduate degree in communications, marketing, advertising, or a related field.

Position-Specific Responsibilities

  • Primary Responsibilities:

1. The ideal candidate will have a passion for news and social media, and a keen awareness of what’s in the news to promote faculty expertise; skills at using all social media platforms is a must. The Office of Media Relations seeks to promote faculty expertise every week on our website.

2. Writing is a significant component of this role, and attention to detail is a must. The candidate will write press releases and media alerts, and also fact-check and proofread other writing output. Knowledge of proper grammar and punctuation is a must.

3. The role requires someone acutely aware of anything timely unfolding in the media; as previously mentioned, a self-starter who can pitch original story ideas to the Director of Media Relations regularly. The candidate will also be asked to develop direct relationships with reporters to pitch stories over the phone, to follow up on press releases, and media alerts.

4. Because writing, proofing, and editing are required for this role, the Office of Media Relations would welcome the opportunity to see writing samples.

5. Candidates will be responsible for coverage of campuswide events such as Commencement, Student Move-In Day, Student and Faculty Convocations, faculty lectures, alumni events, and more.

6. Candidates will recommend to the director story ideas of interest from direct campus knowledge or from a review of local and national media.

7. Candidates will maintain and refresh the Office’s media contact lists and report on media and higher education trends.

Required Qualifications

  • Completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university majoring in Print or Broadcast Journalism, English, Public Relations, or Marketing.
  • Required experience in a previous internship in a related field (a plus), active as an undergraduate on either the school newspaper or related clubs/activities.
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Compensation & Benefits

  • Tuition Remission:
    • up to $8750 in (Fall/Spring) only if registered for 9 credits each semester. This covers tuition only.
  • Stipend (Fall through Spring)
    • $4,000 per year

This position is offered for one academic year only—Fall 2025 and Spring 2026—provided the student maintains full-time enrollment of at least 9 credits each semester.