Academic Assistants

LSUA uses Academic Assistants (AAs) to enhance the student experience. They work closely with and under the direction of the faculty member teaching the course. These individuals hold Master's degrees and at least 18 graduate hours in the discipline they are assisting.

Notice: Open AA positions will be posted on the LSUA Job Opportunities website as they are available for specific disciplines.

Becoming an Academic Assistant

Having one or more AA in the class enables the professor to improve the course delivery. By having AAs handle things like email, discussion and assignment scoring; the professor will be able to focus on students in need, necessary course modifications, and course content. Different faculty utilize the Academic Assistants in different ways to ensure students get prompt attention and feedback and can progress through the course.

If you hold a Master's degree with 18 credit hours in one of the disciplines below, please consider applying.

Faculty teaching online classes will receive an email each semester from “Louisiana State University Alexandria via Smartsheet” inviting them to request an Academic Assistant if appropriate.

Faculty requesting to have Academic Assistants (AAs) agree to the following:

The role of an Academic Assistant is customizable to fit the specific needs of your asynchronous classroom.

The purpose of their presence is to relieve faculty of some of the everyday classroom tasks, allowing more time for faculty to focus on course content, student engagement, and delivery. AAs are part-time, contract employees but function as an extension of the course professor.

You may use your Academic Assistants (AAs) for:

Grading

AAs may grade forums/discussions, assignments, quizzes, exams, and/or essays and projects. A clear, highly detailed grading rubric and/or grading/feedback examples must be provided by faculty, so the AA can mirror the grading style of the faculty as closely as possible. AAs may also be granted permission to make point adjustments for late submissions if preferred by faculty. Ensuring inter-rater reliability is the responsibility of the instructor of record for the course. There is a minimum of a 72-hour turnaround time for grading items after the due date passes.

Email Communication

AAs may function (per faculty direction) as the initial point of contact for students and respond to all email inquiries within 24 hours of receipt. Most of the email volume will be addressing logistical questions, which can alleviate faculty of a significant time commitment. . Any inquiries requiring faculty approval, such as due date changes, extensions, and grading adjustments, will be elevated to faculty.

Forums

In addition to grading forums/discussions, AAs may be used to facilitate and/or monitor asynchronous discussion boards and blog posts.

AAs may NOT:

AAs may not be responsible for any course content – they cannot draft assignments, write test questions, develop rubrics, or put together lecture or supplemental materials. The AA position is asynchronous by definition, they are not required to hold pre-determined office hours and are not required to be available for live events. For courses with multiple AAs, each AA must be responsible for the same set of tasks for their own distinct student group that they will work with for the entire session.

Communication

Effective communication and collaboration are essential to a successful Professor-Academic Assistant team. AAs will be contact faculty periodically throughout the course to schedule conference calls; AAs are tasked with recording meeting notes to be stored as a resource for the University during accreditation inspections if needed. A Pre-Course Conference Call is also mandatory so that AAs and Faculty-of-Record are fully aware of responsibilities, expectations, and course layout. Helpful information that faculty may want to share includes faculty approach to teaching in general, the course schedule, a brief syllabus review, assignment instructions, expectations for the students, learning objectives, duties for the AA, and a review of your grading rubrics/grading guides.

If enrollment in a course or program warrants the addition of a Coordinating Coach, one may be added. A Coordinating Coach is responsible for overseeing all AA activities in the course and will be available to guide and assist the AAs. A Coordinating Coach may or may not be assigned students in the course; however, the Coordinating Coach can step in to assist in an emergency.