Project Details
Hiring Manager: Jacklyn Novak, Assistant Dean for Finance, Administration & Personnel, CHSS
Total Hours: 150
Project Stipend: $3750
Project Overview
This project will support an internal space study for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences by assessing current usage of faculty/staff offices, research labs, and public/student areas in our primary buildings—Dickson Hall and Schmitt Hall. Building on preliminary university-wide data, the study will evaluate space utilization in relation to the needs and roles of our college members. Updated room specifications (usage, equipment, square footage, and assignments) will be compiled to inform decisions on creating shared spaces and reallocating resources effectively.
This micro-internship not only provides the intern with critical experience in data analysis, project management, and strategic planning but also equips our college with actionable insights to optimize space utilization. We look forward to fostering innovative solutions that benefit both the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the professional development of our graduate students.
Project Description & Objectives
The graduate intern will collaborate closely with the Assistant Dean and Finance and Operations Coordinator to:
- Assess Space Utilization:
- Evaluate current occupancy and usage patterns across offices, labs, and common areas.
- Compare data against job roles and departmental needs to identify gaps and opportunities.
- Analyze room booking trends for meetings and events.
- Data Collection & Analysis
- Gather updated room statistics including square footage, equipment inventories,
and space assignments. - Compile data in spreadsheets for systematic analysis.
- Visual Documentation:
- Create detailed visual schematics of Dickson Hall and Schmitt Hall.
- Map out room usage according to department/unit or purpose
- Electronic Data Gathering
- Design and implement surveys and forms to collect qualitative input from faculty,
staff, and students. - Develop data visualizations to present findings clearly to college leadership.
- Strategic Recommendations:
- Analyze collected data to recommend strategies for optimizing space usage.
- Prepare a final report and data visualizations to guide future decisions on shared
spaces and reallocation.
Key Deliverables:
- Updated building schematics and room usage maps
- Comprehensive spreadsheets of room data and usage statistics
- Designed electronic surveys and data gathering tools
- Final analytical report with data visualizations and recommendations