Job Description

Title: Student Communications Assistant
Employee Classification:
Division Name: Presidential
Department: Media Relations

Job Summary

The Office of Media Relations and Strategic Communications (MRSC) at Illinois State University is seeking a student to assist with day-to-day operations. This position provides hands-on experience in university communications while helping the office tell Illinois State University's story, monitor issues affecting higher education, and communicate effectively with campus audiences.

Areas of focus may include:

1. Media monitoring and intelligence
Monitor coverage of Illinois State University, higher education, state higher education policy, and peer institutions.
Use daily Cision reports to produce a weekly digest of relevant coverage, emerging issues, and potential opportunities for university experts to contribute to news stories.
Track recurring topics, narratives, and media requests affecting public higher education to assist in producing a database of university experts.
Flag time-sensitive or potentially sensitive coverage for professional staff.

2. Media relations and outreach support
Research journalists, news outlets, podcasts, and other media opportunities relevant to university priorities.
Maintain media contact lists and assist with tracking pitches, story opportunities, and media inquiries.
Identify faculty, staff, students, research, and campus initiatives that may be newsworthy to pitch to local, regional, or national media.
Help compile background information and supporting materials for media pitches and interviews.

3. Editorial and content production
Draft press releases, news briefs, website content, and other communications for MRSC staff review and approval.
Assist with writing, editing, fact-checking, proofreading, and formatting Redbird Report content.
Help develop headlines, summaries, links, and calls to action that make university communications useful and engaging.
Maintain editorial calendars, monitor deadlines, and help organize content submissions.

4. Student perspective and audience engagement
Offer a student perspective on university messages, communication channels, tone, and timing.
Identify student questions, information gaps, and communication preferences.
Review proposed student-facing communications for clarity, accessibility, and relevance.
Research student communication trends and practices at peer institutions.

5. Communications analytics and reporting
Help compile media coverage, audience engagement, newsletter performance, and website referral data.
Assist with maintaining media placement logs and communications tracking spreadsheets.
Identify patterns in coverage and engagement to help the office assess what's working.
Prepare basic charts, summaries, and reports for internal planning.

6. Office operations and project support
Answer and route incoming phone calls and greet visitors as appropriate.
Coordinate conference room scheduling, setup, and readiness for meetings.
Assist with media interview scheduling, event logistics, media briefings, and other office projects.
Maintain organized digital files, contact lists, editorial resources, and reference materials.

Additional Information

Media Relations and Strategic Communications offers members of the media a greater understanding of university resources, policies, and programs as well as subject experts to enrich and deepen stories for the public. The department also serves communication support functions of the University. MRSC has three full-time employees, including one director.

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan.  More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$15.00/hour

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and research skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, and time management.
• Interest in journalism, public relations, strategic communications, marketing, or higher education.
• Ability to exercise discretion when handling internal information and media inquiries.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and digital communications platforms; experience with content management systems, email newsletters, social media, or analytics tools is a plus.
• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks while collaborating with professional staff.

Work Hours

Will work around student's schedule to reach 10-15 hours per week during regular business hours (M-F 8-4:30), with preference given to students with some availability on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
-Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

November 16, 2026

Required Applicant Documents

To apply for this position, please submit three attachments to your application, including a 1) resume, 2) cover letter that speaks to education and career goals and shares what qualities you believe would be important to the MRSC office, 3) two writing samples (can be from a recent class) that demonstrate your writing ability through a press release, news story, or news pitch.

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Contact Information for Applicants

Chris Coplan, Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University, as your employer, is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.