Assistant, Academic Programs

Team Overview

The Academic Programs department at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) aims to renew healthy civic engagement on college campuses—and in America’s public square—by informing, equipping, and developing thoughtful and principled student leaders who will elevate the tone and substance of policy discourse with the ideas and scholars of AEI. The team facilitates educational and professional opportunities that provide students with the skills of civil and substantive discourse, strengthen their commitment to classical liberal ideas and institutions, and motivate them with AEI scholarship and principles. Reflected in all its programs and resources are AEI’s beliefs in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.

Role Overview

The Academic Programs assistants support AEI’s higher education outreach by coordinating campus outreach and scholar events, producing newsletters and materials for online engagement, recruiting student leaders, and hosting the annual Summer Honors Program. The anticipated start date for this position is as soon as possible.

• Campus Outreach and Programs
  • Recruit students into AEI’s network, and process membership applications.
  • Coordinate AEI scholar visits to college and university campuses throughout the nation.
  • Equip student leaders to host, promote, and execute on-campus and online programming.
  • Coordinate student engagement with AEI scholarship through reading groups, writing, research, and other high-impact programs.
  • Host student group visits at AEI’s building in DC for events with scholars and staff.
• Newsletters and Online Engagement
  • Write the first drafts and assist in the production flow of all student newsletters.
  • Create content for social media platforms to market AEI to students.
  • Assist in producing content for the podcast and various program webpages.
  • Execute online programming with students and AEI scholars and staff.
• Summer Honors Program
  • Recruit student applicants and review nominations for AEI’s annual flagship program for undergraduates.
  • Coordinate individual program seminars by working directly with AEI scholars and partner instructors.
  • Support the annual planning, weekly preparation, and daily execution of the Summer Honors Program through professional development sessions and site visits to partner organizations around Washington, DC.
• General Team Responsibilities
  • Support the planning and execution of conferences and seminars in Washington, DC, regionally, and online.
  • Regularly read and engage with AEI scholarship to develop new and creative ways to communicate AEI’s mission and research to students and the broader higher education community.
  • Perform recurring financial tasks such as tracking event honoraria, travel, and other department expenses.
  • Maintain and navigate databases to track current and former students and academic partners.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support the team.

Travel Requirements:

• Semi-regular travel for campus events, major programs, and participation in partner conferences
• Some local work on evenings and weekends during student conferences and major programs in DC

Physical requirements and working conditions at AEI:

• The employee is regularly expected to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard. This job requires close vision abilities due to computer work.
• The employee must be able to lift up to 30 pounds at times.
• The employee must be able to work in a confined area.
• Moderate noise (e.g., from computers, phone, printers, and light traffic) is expected.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities associated with this position.

• A bachelor’s degree at the start date (required)
• 0–2 years of previous applicable work experience (preferred)
• A self-starting mentality and strong work ethic
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Time management skills and a proven ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated oral and written communication abilities
• Familiarity with AEI scholarship, think tanks, public policy, and academia, specifically with current debates related to at least one of AEI’s major policy areas (Domestic Policy Studies, Economic Policy Studies, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, and Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies)
• Experience planning events and leading campus student groups or other volunteer organizations (preferred)
• A knowledge of Salesforce and Marketo (preferred)