What is an Undergraduate Learning Assistant?
Undergraduate Learning Assistants (ULAs) are core members of our teaching team at Lyman Briggs College. They assist faculty in providing an enriching and supported educational environment in lectures, recitations, and labs.
What are the goals of the ULA Program?
- Goal 1: Implement safety protocols and evidence-based practices in undergraduate courses.
- Goal 2: Increase representation in undergraduate course leadership.
- Goal 3: Increase pedagogical efficacy for the ULAs.
- Goal 4: Provide ULAs with opportunities to explore teaching careers and develop transferable skills.
- Goal 5: Develop ULAs interest, competence, and recognition in the disciplines.
- Goal 6: Improve student satisfaction and success in gateway courses.
Who can become a ULA?
Some of our strongest ULAs are those who challenged themselves in a class and ultimately succeeded. ULAs need to understand the struggle in order to help others navigate our rigorous courses. If you enjoy helping your classmates master a tough concept or make a new connection, you might be a good ULA candidate!
ULA Job Descriptions and Hiring Criteria
Hiring decisions are made by faculty groups. Duties vary across course type but usually include things like attend lecture and assist the instructor by facilitating active learning in the classroom, run lab or studio sessions with the support of the instructor, facilitate recitation sections, helping students work on problems, hold office hours, mark assignments using a clear rubric provided by instructor, and attend weekly planning meetings with their teaching team.
In most courses, faculty look for applicants with the relevant coursework completed, aptitude for and/or interest in supporting group work and student problem solving, and a schedule that aligns with needed sections.
For more specifics about the roles and responsibilities of ULAs in each ULA-supported course and how hiring decisions are made by the faculty, we have a ULA Job Descriptions document for you to consult. Please note, workload examples in this document are illustrative and may vary by semester. Specific hour expectations are confirmed with faculty supervisors during hiring.
Application Window for ULAs for Spring 2027
New applicants and returning ULAs need to apply if they want to be a ULA in the Spring 2027 semester. Current ULAs only need to reapply if they are hoping to work in a different discipline.
Timeline:
- Application opens: October 16, 2026
- Application due: November 9, 2026 by noon.
- Application review begins after: November 10, 2026
- Initial offers: throughout November and December by Briggs faculty
- Once all positions have been filled, Dr. Leon will email all applicants. Confirmation that hiring for Spring 2027 has ended will happen by December 18.
- New and returning ULAs are expected to complete required onboarding and training activities, including online self-paced, live virtual, and discipline-specific training. Plan for training activities during the week of January 11-15, 2027.
- First day of the Spring 2027 semester: Tuesday, January 19.
How to Apply
All applicants apply using an online application. Please complete the online application via Qualtrics by November 9, 2026, at noon.
ULA Spring 2027 Application
What does the application ask for?
- Name, email address, APID
- Work preference (~4 hrs/week, 8 hrs/week, either)
- Prior experience as a ULA
- Which disciplinary group(s) are you interested in working with?
- For each disciplinary group selected, what is your course preference & what relevant courses have you completed?
- Of the courses you indicated interest in, rank your top 3 choices.
- Major, minor, student status during 26-27, anticipated graduation date
- List your previous experience as a ULA, research assistant, or tutor
- What are your future career and/or education plans?
- Tell us about your experiences with public speaking.
- Compose a statement describing why you would like to be a ULA.
- In your role as a ULA, how could you help your students feel included? For example, by the way you communicate, answer questions, or support students who learn in different ways?
- Provide the names of two LBC faculty or staff who best know your work in the area(s) for which you are applying
- Do you grant permission for us to look at your grades and overall GPA?
Who can you talk to if you have questions about being a ULA?
- Dr. Shahnaz Masani (masanish@msu.edu)
- Dr. Paola Leon (leonariz@msu.edu)
- The professor(s) of the course(s) you are interested in being involved in.
- Your current ULAs
