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Professionalization of an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program to Increase Participation and Build Career Skills

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Title: Professionalization of an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program to Increase Participation and Build Career Skills
Language: English
Authors: Aisling S. Dugan (ORCID 0009-0006-6968-5687), Kristina Monteiro (ORCID 0000-0002-4298-3186), Toni-Marie Achilli (ORCID 0009-0003-4271-727X)
Source: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2025 26(3).
Availability: American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 7
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Teaching Assistants, Undergraduate Students, Professional Development, Biology, Professionalism, Science Education, Personnel Selection, Job Skills, Career Development, Program Improvement
Geographic Terms: Rhode Island (Providence)
ISSN: 1935-7877
1935-7885
Abstract: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) positions offer valuable benefits for student learning, leadership development, and resume building. Here, we share the multi-year transformation of our biology UTA program, which was designed to increase awareness and visibility of UTA positions while making the roles and responsibilities more transparent to students. Professionalizing the hiring process by requiring resume, applications, training, and contract signing aims to better prepare students for the workforce. Collectively, these efforts have doubled the number of UTA applicants, indicating that students are now more aware of these opportunities and have a clearer idea of how to pursue them. Our program also includes learning objectives for UTAs, many of which focus on professional development. Finally, we share our ideas for future directions to refine and expand our UTA program.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504520
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Professionalization of an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program to Increase Participation and Build Career Skills
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aisling+S%2E+Dugan%22">Aisling S. Dugan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0009-0006-6968-5687">0009-0006-6968-5687</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kristina+Monteiro%22">Kristina Monteiro</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4298-3186">0000-0002-4298-3186</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Toni-Marie+Achilli%22">Toni-Marie Achilli</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0009-0003-4271-727X">0009-0003-4271-727X</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Microbiology+%26+Biology+Education%22"><i>Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 26(3).
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  Data: American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe
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  Data: 7
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Assistants%22">Teaching Assistants</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Development%22">Professional Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biology%22">Biology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professionalism%22">Professionalism</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Science+Education%22">Science Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personnel+Selection%22">Personnel Selection</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Skills%22">Job Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Career+Development%22">Career Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Improvement%22">Program Improvement</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rhode+Island+%28Providence%29%22">Rhode Island (Providence)</searchLink>
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  Data: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant (UTA) positions offer valuable benefits for student learning, leadership development, and resume building. Here, we share the multi-year transformation of our biology UTA program, which was designed to increase awareness and visibility of UTA positions while making the roles and responsibilities more transparent to students. Professionalizing the hiring process by requiring resume, applications, training, and contract signing aims to better prepare students for the workforce. Collectively, these efforts have doubled the number of UTA applicants, indicating that students are now more aware of these opportunities and have a clearer idea of how to pursue them. Our program also includes learning objectives for UTAs, many of which focus on professional development. Finally, we share our ideas for future directions to refine and expand our UTA program.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1504520
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 7
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Teaching Assistants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Biology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professionalism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Science Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Personnel Selection
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Improvement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rhode Island (Providence)
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Professionalization of an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Program to Increase Participation and Build Career Skills
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            NameFull: Aisling S. Dugan
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            NameFull: Kristina Monteiro
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            NameFull: Toni-Marie Achilli
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              M: 12
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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              Value: 1935-7877
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              Value: 26
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            – TitleFull: Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
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