Assistantship Mentoring Program

What is AMP?

The Assistantship Mentoring Program (AMP) creates the space for students and mentors to engage in intellectual creativity and collaboration through the following positions:

  • Teaching Assistant: Become a confident, experienced academic who is prepared for graduate school and/or positions of leadership.
  • Research Assistant: Develop skills in research design, methodology, and analysis alongside a faculty mentor.
  • Program Assistant: Create, design, implement, and evaluate programs and projects under the guidance of a faculty or staff mentor.

Who is eligible for AMP?

To be eligible for AMP, students must:

  • Be enrolled at least half-time (undergraduate and College for Adults: 6 credits; graduate students: 3 credits) at St. Catherine University
  • Be able to work approximately 10 hours per week
  • Have completed course or course equivalent (Teaching Assistants)

Preferred qualifications:

  • Junior or senior status (undergraduate) or enrolled in College for Adults or Graduate College programs
  • Demonstration (in application) that this opportunity fits into one’s schedule, school/life balance, and overall St. Kate’s experience
  • Demonstrated proficiency with the general knowledge appropriate to the discipline
  • Submission of a high quality application that articulates the project, student groups, mentorship, and overall outcomes
  • Application completed in collaboration by mentor and assistant
5 photos showing students with their mentors

Frequently Asked Questions

How long are AMP positions?

Assistantships are awarded for one semester.

How do I apply?

Student and mentor candidates must complete their joint application and the student will upload to the position posting in Handshake. If you have specific questions about the application deadlines or requirements, contact amp@stkate.edu.

How do I find a mentor?

Students can invite faculty or staff to apply with them, or be invited by a mentor candidate. We encourage you to ask faculty or staff who you already have a relationship with.

What are the qualities of a strong application?

We are looking for proposals that create opportunity for meaningful collaboration, leadership, and influence. Applications should also clearly outline:

  • Realistic timeline and work-load
  • Student and mentor roles and responsibilities
  • Plans for consistent communication
  • Strategies for implementation
  • Demonstration of general knowledge in appropriate discipline
  • Commitment to be part of a scholarly, learning environment by attending AMP meetings and workshops

How long are AMP positions?

Assistantships are awarded for one semester.

Who is eligible to be an AMP Mentor?

To be eligible as an AMP Mentor, individuals must:

  • Be employed by St. Catherine University (can be faculty or staff, full time, part time or adjunct)
  • Be committed to providing a meaningful learning experience for student assistant
  • Have the ability to commit sufficient time and provide constructive feedback to their student assistant
  • Possess previous experience mentoring students
  • Actively participate in submitting a high quality application in collaboration with student assistant

What are the commitment expectations of mentors?

Once selected for AMP, mentors are expected to:

  • Attend orientation session for mentor/assistant teams
  • Complete a mid-semester evaluation and review with their student assistant
  • Attend a Final Symposium and support assistant in preparing to present
  • Have weekly communication with student assistant regarding project, support student learning and professional development

How are AMP positions funded?

AMP is funded through student employment dollars. Students are paid $12.45 per hour to work approximately 10 hours per week per semester. AMP is part of Community Work and Learning and is supported by Assistant Director, Jewelly Lee.

What are the qualities and expectations of successful AMP students?

We recommend AMP students have the following qualities and experiences to ensure a successful assistantship:

Teaching Assistants must have successfully completed the course (or equivalent) for which she will be the TA prior to beginning her assistantship. TAs should also have the capacity to lead group discussions and learning activities, and possess the ability to work on-on-one with members of a diverse student body. TAs meet regularly with faculty mentors to collaborate in course preparation, instructional strategies, and classroom activities. Assistants also learn how to give feedback on papers and coursework, as well as facilitate lectures and class discussions.

Research Assistants must have an extensive foundation of knowledge in the area of inquiry and be able to perform high level work with the help of their mentors. RAs must possess basic research skills, the capacity to learn and engage in research methods necessary for the project, and the ability to complete projects in a timely manner. RAs work both collaboratively and independently while expanding skills in research design, methodology, and analysis. RAs collaborate with mentors throughout the entire research process, from the development of a research question to the presentation of findings. Assistants are encouraged to present their research results on campus, in the community or at a professional conference.

Program Assistants must be able to function autonomously at times and possess the capacity to learn and engage in program development. Assistants should also have the ability to plan and implement projects in a timely manner. Program Assistants gain the necessary skills to support and maintain a program or project from creation to completion. Assistants also learn how to work collaboratively with staff or faculty mentors to create, design, implement and evaluate programs and projects. Program Assistants meet regularly with their mentors, connecting theory to action in their field while leading and influencing in a joint intellectual effort.