About the GLBTA Programs Office
Founded in 1993, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs (GLBTA) Office is
dedicated to transforming campus climate for University of Minnesota students, staff, faculty, alum and
community members by developing and supporting more inclusive understandings of gender and
sexuality through education, advocacy, outreach and support.
The GLBTA Programs Office recognizes the intersections of gender and sexuality with race, ethnicity,
class, dis/ability, age, culture, and all social systems; we are committed to holding ourselves and others
accountable for working against all forms of oppression. The GLBTA Programs Office seeks to bridge
and build communities that create affirming and welcoming environments in which people can be their
whole selves and which honor all identities and experiences.
About the Steven J. Schochet 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 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
LGBTQ-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 and Campus Life is managed by the GLBTA
Programs Office and is overseen by the seven members of the Schochet Board.
Steven J. Schochet Graduate Intern Position
About the Position:
The primary responsibilities of this position are:
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Coordinate and organize the annual Steven J. Schochet Lecture Series. Tasks include securing
speakers facilities, and food; developing and implementing publicity; creating literature and
materials.
Coordinate the Steven J. Schochet Student Awards. Tasks include developing and implementing
publicity; organizing Schochet Award Committees; creating literature and materials.
Coordinate the Steven J. Schochet Research Showcase. Tasks include reaching out to students,
faculty and staff doing research on LGBTQIA and related topics, securing a keynote presenter,
and other work as required.
Work closely with faculty from the Department of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies and all
faculty involved with the GLBT Minor on duties related to promoting and publicizing the GLBT
undergraduate minor and developing the GLBT graduate minor.
Work with Director to build a network of alumni interested in LGBTQIA studies who are leaders
in their fields and who are available to mentor and/or speak with students.
Assist the director with day-to-day operations and programming.
Other responsibilities as assigned by Director and the Schochet Advisory Board.
Work Hours: Position will work both set and flexible hours. Position must attend all staff meetings and
trainings. This is an academic year position (approximately early September 2015 – early May 2016),
approx. 10-15 hours a week with time off during campus breaks and finals.
Benefits include:
• Gaining experience with understanding and working with social justice and LGBTQIA related
issues, community building, communication, public speaking, organizing and a variety of jobspecific skills.
• This is an ideal position for someone who is interested in a career path of working in an
LGBTQIA campus center or other academic administrative positions. There will be mentoring
and exposure to how administrative positions work with managing budgets, grant writing,
programming, building an alumni network, and providing services.
• Fun, LGBTQIA-friendly work environment.
• Pay rate: Hourly, $10,500 total for the academic year (Sept – May).
Qualifications
Necessary qualifications:
1. Knowledge, understanding, and willingness to learn and educate about lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, intersex, queer, questioning and ally issues and the multiple identities of the
LGBTQIA community (race, ability, religion, etc).
2. Knowledge, understanding, and willingness to learn and educate about social justice issues,
including but not limited to: racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, anti-Semitism,
classism and ageism.
3. Knowledge, understanding, and willingness to learn about college student development and
university culture.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Organizational talent, including attention to detail & multiple deadlines.
6. Able to work independently and as a member of a team.
7. Willingness to learn, ask for assistance and work with groups of people.
Helpful qualifications:
1. Previous work experience related to the position.
2. Currently admitted to a graduate degree program at the U of M during the period of
appointment.
3. Involvement with LGBTQIA organizations and/or other multicultural groups.
4. Basic computer experience and program knowledge.
5. Alliance-building experience.
Application Process:
Please submit a cover letter, resume and the name and contact of 2 references to [email protected] by
Friday, April 17th, 2015 at 5pm.