Voting Research Assistant
Voting Research Assistant Position Overview:
The Political Science Department is seeking to hire two students to collaborate on projects relating to voter and civic engagement on campus with Dr. Ashley Moraguez in Spring 2023. While the 2022 general election is over, planning campus efforts around elections is an ongoing commitment, and Dr. Moraguez is looking for students to participate in that process. The position will pay $12 an hour, and the expectation is that students will work 5-10 hours a week through Spring 2023.
Role/Responsibilities:
Voting Research Assistants will be asked to help with the following:
- Fielding a student survey or conducting focus groups to explore what voter outreach efforts worked on campus for the 2022 election & how we can improve our efforts in the future
- Conducting research into the efforts on other campuses in NC and around the country to see what we are doing well at UNCA and where we can put more time and resources
- Brainstorming new events and ideas for future election cycles and drafting a plan that we can begin to implement for local elections in Fall 2023
- Looking into grant opportunities to establish a more sustainable model of voter engagement on campus
The position also comes with a lot of flexibility for student workers to make the position their own and to be creative in their voter engagement efforts.
Learning Outcomes:
- Voting Research Assistants will improve communication skills through outreach to faculty, staff, and students, one-on-one and group meetings, administrative duties, written reports, and possible presentations
- Voting Research Assistants will hone their research skills, including in the design of interview and survey questionnaires
- Voting Research Assistants will improve collaboration and team-building skills through working with faculty, staff, and other students on joint projects and efforts
- Voting Research Assistants will develop leadership skills through on-the-job training
- Voting Research Assistants will develop a greater understanding of NC voting laws and barriers to voting in their community
Desired Qualifications & Expectations:
- Applicants of any major are welcome (and encouraged) to apply, and no prior political engagement experience is required
- Applicants are expected to have access to technology and to respond to emails in a timely manner (within 24-36 hours)
- Applicants with strong communication skills (written and oral) are especially encouraged to apply
- The ideal applicant will be passionate about civic engagement, be motivated to make a difference on campus and in the community, have an outgoing & friendly personality, and be unafraid to talk to their classmates and peers about election-related issues
- The ideal case would be for the student workers to continue their work (in some capacity) into Fall 2023, though this is not required
How to Apply:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit an approximately 300-word statement of interest through Handshake. Please also include the name and email address of a UNCA faculty member who would be willing to serve as a reference for your application. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Moraguez at amorague@unca.edu.