Internal Communications Assistant

Position Summary

The Office of University Communications (OUC) seeks a highly motivated and creative Federal Work-Study (FWS) Student Assistant to support the Internal Communications team. This role provides hands-on experience in strategic communications, digital marketing, and brand storytelling at a national research university. The student will assist with internal email and digital marketing efforts, graphic design, social media content, and university-wide email campaigns that engage Howard University’s students, faculty, and staff.

The Student Assistant will report directly to the Director of Strategic Communications and work closely with the Communications Specialist and the Email and Digital Marketing Specialist.

Key Responsibilities

The FWS Student Assistant will support the Internal Communications team in the following areas:

Email & Digital Marketing

• Assist in the development, formatting, and scheduling of internal email communications and campaigns using Mailchimp
• Support audience segmentation, basic analytics tracking, and quality assurance for email sends
• Help maintain content calendars and campaign timelines

Graphic Design & Visual Content

• Design simple graphics for internal newsletters, email campaigns, social media, and digital signage using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools
• Support brand consistency by following Howard University’s visual identity and style guidelines

Social Media & Content Support

• Assist with drafting copy for internal and select social media channels
• Support content planning and scheduling in collaboration with the communications team
• Monitor engagement and assist with compiling performance insights

General Communications Support

• Assist with proofreading, copy editing, and content reviews to ensure clarity, accuracy, and AP style alignment
• Provide administrative and project support for internal communications initiatives, campaigns, and special projects
• Participate in team meetings and contribute ideas for improving engagement and reach

Required Qualifications

• Must be eligible for Federal Work-Study
• Currently enrolled Howard University student in good academic standing
• Demonstrated experience or coursework in graphic design (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar)
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with social media content creation or digital marketing
• Familiarity with analytics and performance reporting (email or social media)
• Interest in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field, strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with or working knowledge of Mailchimp or similar email marketing platforms

Professional Skills & Competencies

• Creative, organized, and reliable
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Professional judgment and discretion when handling internal communications
• Strong time-management skills and responsiveness to deadlines

Learning Outcomes

This position offers meaningful professional development in:

• Strategic internal communications and digital marketing
• Email campaign planning and analytics
• Visual storytelling and brand management
• Collaborative work within a university communications office