The Dr. Neal R. Gamsky Endowed Assistantship in College Student Personnel Administration

This endowed assistantship was established in 2005 by Dr. Neal R. Gamsky, Vice President Emeritus for Student Affairs at Illinois State University. The purpose of the Dr. Neal R. Gamsky Endowed Assistantship is to recognize a promising, high-potential, first-year student enrolled in the CSPA master's degree program, and to encourage involvement in student affairs broadly through a generalist graduate assistantship position. The chosen recipient will be known as the Gamsky Fellow.

Assistantship responsibilities

Gamsky Fellows are employed for 20 hours each week during the academic year by the Educational Administration and Foundations Department working in support of the College Student Personnel Administration master's degree program. The Division of Student Affairs may provide opportunities for involvement for the Gamsky Fellow through meetings and committee assignments. The following describe the duties of the Gamsky Fellow:

Coordinate recruitment activities for the College Student Personnel Administration master's degree program;
Coordinate recruitment processes at conferences on and off-campus (i.e. GRAD Days; Student Affairs 101 Conference);
Develop marketing materials for the College Student Personnel Administration master's degree program;
Develop and maintain the College Student Personnel Administration master's degree program alumni database;
Maintain the College Student Personnel Administration master's degree program web site in coordination with EAF central office staff and COE technology staff;
Coordinate and disseminate the College Student Personnel Administration master's degree online alumni and friends newsletter, The Administrator;
Coordinate arrangements for meetings of the College Student Personnel Administration Advisory Board (two meetings per year);
Serve on committees within EAF and the Division of Student Affairs;
Attend meetings within the EAF Department and Division of Student Affairs;
Attend professional conferences;
Other responsibilities will be negotiated to meet the needs of the graduate assistant.

Past Gamsky Fellows

2024 - Daniela Martinez
2023 - Em Nakamura
2022 - Natalie Rodgers
2021 - Angelique DeBellis
2020 - Olivia Ross
2019 - Jessica Coates
2018 - Stella Wang
2017 - Asiah Claiborne
2016 - Marjorie Miller
2015 - Elizabeth Keating
2014 – Collin Hartman
2013 – Sean Creedon
2012 - Brittany Gilmore
2011 - Adam Dralle
2009 - Corey Hills
2008 - Tracy Machitan
2007 - Matthew Murray
2006 - Ashley Warbalow

Compensation

Compensation is $950 per month for 9 months, plus tuition remission for 12 months. Since Gamsky Fellows are first year students, this assistantship can be held for one year only. However, the Gamsky Fellow title can be retained throughout the student's academic career. During the second year, the Gamsky Fellow can seek a different assistantship opportunity to further expand their skills and broaden the learning opportunities available within student affairs.

Application process

The deadline for application is March 1st every year. To be considered for the assistantship, please complete the following:

Regular admission materials remitted to Illinois State University and the Department of Educational Administration and Foundations;
Interview (virtual or in-person)

The required materials must be received at the following address by March 1st of each calendar year:

Department of Educational Administration and Foundations
Dr. Neal R. Gamsky Endowed Assistantship
Campus Box 5900
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-5900

For more information

For more information regarding the Dr. Neal R. Gamsky Endowed Assistantship, please contact the assistantship supervisor Gavin Weiser.

Criteria for consideration

Demonstrated commitment to and potential for success in student affairs.
Earned undergraduate grade point average for the last 60 hours of at least 3.5.
Record of outstanding leadership in co-curricular activities/organizations as an undergraduate student.
Ability to make a unique contribution to Illinois State University and the student affairs profession.