LSU Athletics Reaching Inclusion through Strategic Experiences

PURPOSE

To provide students from diverse underrepresented backgrounds with an opportunity to gain experience in various fields within intercollegiate athletics. Our goal is to educate and prepare future athletics leaders to transition into professional roles.

We chart a path to greater opportunities by:
• Providing an invaluable experience which leads to opportunities in athletic administration.
• Creating a pipeline for Graduate Assistants to continue their careers in athletic administration.
• Diversifying the field of candidates in athletics administration.
• Cultivating a community of excellence by preparing future leaders to embrace principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within their work.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Be accepted and enrolled full time (9 hours) in one of the LSU’s master’s programs beginning in the fall
• Requirement to work 20 hours per week
• Show a strong interest in a career in collegiate athletics
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

SUBMISSION

• Complete and submit the application on the athletics department portal.
• Attach resume and cover letter.
• Attach responses to the application questions.

Candidates will rank their top six areas of interest from the identified units. The selection committee will do its best to accommodate the desires of the candidates based on their identified interests and department availability.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed by the RISE Selection Committee comprised of athletics department staff members. Selected applicants will participate in virtual interviews with the selection committee. Graduate Assistants will be selected based on their experience, extracurricular activities, application, interview, and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in athletic administration.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Graduate assistants:
• Will rotate through four units during their first year of graduate school. During their second year, graduate assistants will select one area of focus from the previous year and remain with that unit for the duration of the program.
• Will be responsible for submitting brief assessments at the end of each rotation.
• Will be evaluated at the end of their first year.
• Must receive a satisfactory evaluation to maintain their position within the department.
• Must be enrolled as full-time students throughout the graduate assistantship.
• Must remain in good academic standing and maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.0.

The graduate assistantship will cover tuition and fees and include a per semester stipend.

2023-24 CALENDAR

Rotation 1: August 21 – October 6
Rotation 2: October 9 – December 8
Rotation 3: January 16 – March 8
Rotation 4: March 11 – May 10

IMPORTANT DATES
Application due date: May 31, 2023
Interviews begin: Week of June 19, 2023

If you have any questions, please contact Ashleigh Clare-Kearney Thigpen (ackthigpen@lsu.edu).

Apply Below Student Employee Handbook

UNITS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Business Office

The Business Office procures all goods and services, reconciles travel and other expenses, pays invoices, and manages the Athletics Department budget.
– The graduate assistant will reconcile travel vouchers; pay invoices; track the department budget; assist with day-to-day operations & office duties.

Communications

The Communications Department provides publicity for our 21 sports through social media, the LSU Athletics website, press releases, and media relations.
– The graduate assistant will assist with day-to-day publicity for football and Olympic sports as needed; and participate in work events and practices.

Compliance

The Compliance Department provides guidance to the entire LSU community with respect to the conference and NCAA rules, regulations, and standards, which mandate integrity and fairness in all we do. Above all else, this unit exists to promote and protect the safety, health, and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and university.
– The graduate assistant will gain valuable experience in each compliance bylaw (bylaws 11-17).

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

The DEI Department is a part of our Human Resources Department and is committed to cultivating an inclusive environment for our staff, student-athletes, and community. We are continuously working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion by creating programs and initiatives that promote and uplift those who have been and continue to be marginalized.
– The graduate assistant will assist in developing, coordinating, and implementing departmental programming, initiatives, and events; assist in the creation, development, and communication of educational materials to celebrate and bring awareness to history and heritage months; assist in data collection, entry, and analysis; attend meetings and serve on committees and working groups as needed; assist in the creation and consistent modification of diversity, equity and inclusion educational resources; serve as a liaison to student organizations, campus groups, and community organizations seeking collaboration in programming; assist with the development of climate assessments; monitor trends and conduct research on best practices applicable to diversity, equity and inclusion; assist with administrative tasks; support campus efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion; and support the departments commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Health & Wellness

The Health & Wellness Department focuses on the comprehensive health and wellness of LSU student athletes and departmental staff through thoughtful interventions across the full range of human needs: physical, nutritional, social, cognitive and developmental.
– The graduate assistant will be provided opportunities for hands-on administrative and policy-making experience, as well as exposure to human resources, finance and public relations work commiserate with any large state agency; assist in planning and coordinating all departmental events and initiatives related to comprehensive health education for student-athletes and staff; shadow team training sessions and principal educators in topics such as: Title IX, Hazing, DEI, and Mental Health; contribute to Healthy Tiger branded social media platforms by creating original content, scheduling and execution of targeted campaigns; establish key benchmarking metrics through review of current NCAA, SEC, and University policies/processes and developing unique and creative ways to disseminate best practices among all Athletics units; improve and streamline drug testing protocols by identifying and helping to implement standard practices across campus and around the country; assist in administration of the LSU Research Steering Committee (participate in coordination and documentation of Committee meetings, drafting and emailing memoranda, and documentation of Committee progress on group objectives); engage in events and initiatives related to Comprehensive Training & Education, Strength & Conditioning, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, Performance Nutrition, Sport Psychology & Counseling, and the delivery of holistic approaches to health & wellness.

Marketing and Promotions

The Marketing and Promotions Department provides oversight of all marketing, fan engagement and advertising initiatives for all LSU athletic programs.
– The graduate assistant will primarily assist with implementing marketing initiatives for assigned sports and assist with the development of advertising campaigns and fan experience initiatives.

Name, Image, Likeness

Name, Image & Likeness, also known as NIL, is the ability for student-athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness for personal gain in ways permitted by institutional, state and NCAA legislation. The NIL Department is responsible for NIL related education and management for our student-athletes, staff, coaches and community members.
– The graduate assistant will assist with presentations for recruits, student-athletes, and coaches; conduct research on NIL trends across the country; assist with all NILSU educational events; assist with brand development for student-athletes.

National L Club & Community Relations

National L Club & Community Relations – The L Club is an organization for former LSU Letterwinners. The L Club provides engagement opportunities for all former athletes, celebrates their accomplishments and welcomes them back to campus. The Community Relations unit is dedicated to and responsible for enriching communities throughout the greater Baton Rouge area while bringing awareness to LSU Athletics core values.
– The graduate assistant will oversee day-to-day activities for the Community Relations unit including, but not limited to, collaborating with community organizations and developing programming; coordinate Junior Tiger programs including scheduling, itinerary building and facilitation of the program; serve as the on-site coordinator for community programs and events; assist with scheduling appearances for LSU Athletics Ambassadors; create post-event/program reports to include recommendations for improvement; and assist with e-mail marketing campaigns and social media efforts;
– The graduate assistant will provide support for the annual Mikey Awards and National L-Club events including, but not limited to, pregame tailgates, Hall of Fame induction ceremony, reunions and other special events; develop and maintain a comprehensive database of contacts for former student-athletes to include names, physical addresses, business affiliations, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, and family information; assist in coordination of programs for consistent and effective communication with former student-athletes including e-mail marketing campaigns and social media efforts; coordinate the L Club Tailgate, Tribute Ceremony and sport specific reunions including catering, décor and day of set up; and provide instruction and direction to event student workers.

Operations: Events & Facilities

The Operations Department is responsible for the management of all athletics related events & maintenance of athletics facilities.
– The graduate assistant will assist in event/game management and operational duties for assigned sport(s) including regular season, post-season, university and external events including camps; aid in planning and preparing guest services and security needs for events; help oversee the day-to-day operations of assigned staff and sports within the Athletic Department including but not limited to; maintenance, upkeep, planning, and implementation of maintenance projects for the Athletic Department and its buildings; assist in proposed work including alterations and improvement projects for the buildings and grounds within the Athletic Department; aid in conducting sport meetings and communicates with coaches and support staff; and aids with event and facility management duties as assigned for football game day, which may include any of the following: management and coordination of special events, stadium and parking operations, guest service support.

Sports Nutrition

The Performance Nutrition Department aims to develop our student-athletes in order to reach optimal athletic performance and health through research, education, lab assessments, and food service.
– The graduate assistant will participate in the development of inventory and auditing systems for all food and food products used in fuel stations, game day, and supplements; work jointly with performance nutrition chef, team dietitians, and physicians on tracking student-athlete allergies/intolerances and preferences for menu planning purposes; learn the intricacies of day-to-day fueling station product selection, student-athlete caloric needs, and gameday nutrition; keep in direct communication with team dietitians and performance nutrition food service staff, to improve product logistics; learn how to appropriately communicate with multidisciplinary teams, including team physicians, dietitians, strength coaches, student workers; develop an awareness for creating efficiency within fuel station operations, procurement systems, deliveries, and maintaining facilities; gain exposure to financial and budgetary techniques used for the monthly and annual Performance Nutrition food operations budget under the stewardship of the Director of Performance Nutrition & Assistant AD for Sports Nutrition; assist the Assistant AD for Sports Nutrition or Director of Performance Nutrition with Performance Nutrition Department development tasks as assigned.

South Stadium Productions (SSP)

SSP aligns the talents of the department’s video, photo, graphic design, and social media creatives and provides increased coverage and exclusive content to supporters of LSU Athletics everywhere.
– The graduate assistant will responsible for project management; provide production assistance; assist in day-to-day operations; engage in creative work (if qualified)

Sport Specific Operations – Swimming & Diving

– The graduate assistant will serve as an assistant to the Director of Operations by assisting with gear distribution, travel preparation, food, equipment, clothing, and itineraries, and the management of CARA logs.

Sports Properties

LSU Sports Properties is the exclusive Marketing & Multimedia Rights Holder of LSU Athletics and is responsible for corporate partnership sales and marketing.
– The graduate assistant will provide sales support with proposal; participate in Gameday operations and set up; and assist with day-to-day office duties.

Application

Personal Information

Name *

First

Middle

Last

Date of Birth *

Phone *

Email *

Permanent Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Demographic Information

Race

Ethnicity

Academic Information

Name of Undergradutate Institution *

Undergraduate Degree *

Undergraduate Major *

Month and Year of Graduation *

Master’s degree you will pursue at LSU *

Have you applied for admission? *

Have you been accepted? *

Your Rotation Preferences

Please rank your top six areas of interest from the units listed below.

#1 = Most interested *

#2 *

#3 *

#4 *

#5 *

#6 = Least interested *

Upload Resume/Cover Letter (.pdf only) *

Transcript (.pdf only) *

Upload an unofficial transcript from your last undergraduate degree granting institution.

1. Identify a challenge that you believe exists within intercollegiate athletics. Explain the challenge thoroughly and offer solutions to those problems. *

2. How would you advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion with individuals who do not see its value? *

I acknowledge that the information contained in this application is true and correct. *

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