Graduate Assistant-Athletic Foundation

Position Summary

The Graduate Assistant for Development supports the fundraising and donor relations efforts of the Southern Miss Athletic Foundation. This position assists in annual giving initiatives, donor stewardship, event coordination, and administrative support to advance the mission of supporting student-athlete scholarships and athletic excellence at Southern Miss. Additionally, this role provides primary oversight and coordination of the Student Eagle Club, fostering student engagement, membership growth, and game day participation.

The Graduate Assistant reports directly to the Assistant Athletic Director for Development and works closely with athletic department staff, donors, and external stakeholders.

Primary Responsibilities

Fundraising & Annual Giving Support

• Assist with the execution of Eagle Club annual giving campaigns.

• Support donor outreach efforts, including calls, emails, and personalized

communication.

• Track pledges, gifts, and donor activity within the CRM/database system.

Student Eagle Club Oversight

• Serve as the primary coordinator for the Student Eagle Club.

• Develop and implement strategies to increase membership and increase student

engagement.

• Plan and execute Student Eagle Club events and promotional initiatives.

• Collaborate with campus partners and student organizations to increase awareness and participation.

• Assist with student game day initiatives, promotions, and engagement activities.

• Track membership data and assess engagement effectiveness.

Donor Relations & Stewardship

• Assist in coordinating donor recognition and stewardship initiatives.

• Prepare donor thank-you correspondence.

• Support benefit fulfillment and priority seating processes.

• Help maintain accurate donor records and ensure data integrity.

Event & Game Day Support

• Assist in planning and executing fundraising and stewardship events.

• Support hospitality operations for home football, basketball, and baseball games.

• Coordinate logistics for Eagle Club functions, donor receptions, and special events.

Administrative & Operational Support

• Provide general administrative support to the Development team.

• Collaborate with marketing and communications on promotional efforts.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Athletic Director of Development

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; acceptance into a graduate program at The University of Southern Mississippi required.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.

• Professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

• Ability to work evenings and weekends, particularly during athletic events.

• Interest in collegiate athletics, fundraising, or sports administration preferred.