Kickoff Session Leaders
Kickoff Session Leaders are a dedicated group of graduate students who help introduce incoming TAs, graduate student instructors, and postdoc instructors to learning and teaching at Northwestern University during the Academic Kickoff.
Overview
Kickoff Session Leaders develop sessions for the Academic Kickoff to support their peers with teaching at Northwestern.
Through interactive summer workshop leader training sessions, Kickoff Session Leaders collaborate with one another to develop and provide feedback on their session plans. Session Leaders engage in revision and reflection as they facilitate their session.
Academic Kickoff Session Leaders receive a one-time $400 stipend for their participation.
Objectives
As a result of being a Kickoff Session Leaders, participants will be able to:
- Develop evidence-based and interactive sessions to support first-time TAs and instructors
- Provide constructive and reflective peer feedback on peers’ session plans and materials
- Build community amongst graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with teaching responsibilities at Northwestern
Eligibility
Graduate students and postdocs from any department or program are invited to apply. Interested applicants should
- Be in or beyond the second year of their program
- Have at least two (2) quarters experience as a TA or instructor in their department/program at Northwestern
- Be able to participate in the Fall Quarter Academic Kickoff
- Monday, September 21, 2026 | Norris University Center
- Be able to participate in the Searle Center's training sessions for Kickoff Session Leaders in summer.
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Searle Center
- Thursday, July 30, 2026 |1 PM - 4 PM | Searle Center
- Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Norris University Center
- Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Norris University Center
Time Commitment and Schedule
Being a Kickoff Session Leaders is a 2 month commitment, with an estimated total time commitment of 20 hours.
Throughout the year, Session Leaders:
- Attend Session Leader training during the summer
- Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Searle Center
- Thursday, July 30, 2026 |1 PM - 4 PM | Searle Center
- Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Norris University Center
- Thursday, August 20, 2026 | 1 PM - 4 PM | Norris University Center
- Attend the Fall Quarter Academic Kickoff
- Monday, September 21, 2026 | Norris University Center
- Give and receive feedback on their own and peers’ session plans
Application
Applications for the 2026–27 academic year are now open! Apply by June 15.
Applicants will be notified by end of June of their acceptance.