Antioch College Works (ACW) Campus Jobs Program

Students engage in meaningful work at Antioch College to develop foundational skills and contribute to the community, fostering a sense of connection and purpose. The Work Program enhances personal and professional growth by encouraging students to reflect on the significance of their contributions and the impact of their actions, as they explore intentional pathways towards future goals.

All full-time residential students who live on campus are required to work in an ACW position for a minimum of 5 hours per week during a study term in exchange for a Work Program Tuition Grant included in their Financial Aid Award Letter. Students who live off-campus may opt into the program.  

Students may choose to work a second 5 hours/week for a paycheck, once authorized with HR. If a student is in good academic standing, they become eligible for a third 5 hours/week towards a paycheck. Thus, a student may work up to 15 hours/week total, including the required first 5 hours for the work grant and up to 10 paycheck hours. Any additional hours beyond the first five are optional, as some students may prefer to prioritize their studies and work only the first five hours. See FAQs below for more information.

Campus Work Crews

When not on co-op, students are found working in all areas of the College. Students can choose to cultivate sustainable practices at our Antioch micro-Farm and Farm-to-Table kitchens, or add to local and national justice efforts of the Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom. Students work alongside arts professionals at The Foundry Theater and The Herndon Gallery. Work crews help run the Olive Kettering Library, with opportunities in the student success center or cultivate entrepreneurialism in the C-Shop. Students also may gain a holistic approach to individual and community health at our Wellness Center. For a complete list of ACW Student Positions, click here.

ACW Positions in the Yellow Springs Community

ACW student positions are also available with local non-profit organizations in the Yellow Springs community. Most of these positions are supported by the Miller Fellowship program through the Yellow Springs Community Foundation, and some are available to students part-time to meet their work requirement during a study term or full-time in a Cooperative Education (Co-op) term. Our students can be found working in the 1000-acre nature preserve or outdoor education camps of the Glen Helen Ecology Institute adjacent to campus; at the Little Art Theatre, a small independent movie theater in downtown Yellow Springs; or at The Antioch School, that teaches children ages 3-12 through play and exploration at the oldest democratic school in the country; to name a few.

Applying to a Campus or Community ACW Position

Antioch College holds an annual on-campus job fair, typically, in the spring. Students learn about campus and community work opportunities, meet with potential employers, and decide where they would like to apply for the upcoming academic year. Student employment opportunities are also posted online.

New students share their job preferences prior to coming to Antioch, and participate in skill-based sessions during new student orientation to prepare them for starting an ACW work position. In addition, Co-op advisors mentor students during the first term on how to further develop their resume, job application materials, and interview skills through the Foundations of Meaningful Work: Preparation for Cooperative Education course.

Antioch Becomes First Federal Work College in Ohio

In 2024, Antioch College achieved the designation of Federal Work College from the US Department of Education, paving the way to become the first in the state of Ohio. Federal Work Colleges are committed to a model of work-learning-service that mirrors our 3 Cs—classroom, co-op and community.

Antioch College joins a select cohort of only ten other work colleges nationwide, which bolsters our commitment to hands-on learning, community engagement, and preparing students for meaningful careers. Our inclusion in this prestigious group—including Berea and Warren Wilson Colleges, among others—uplifts our national reputation and connects us to a supportive network of peer institutions.

For more information regarding the Work Program at Antioch, contact the dean of cooperative, international, and community-based learning at 937-319-0099 or coopedu@antiochcollege.edu.

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY-BASED WORK

[1] How do I find a campus or community-based job? 

Antioch College holds an on-campus job fair. Student employment opportunities are also posted online. Students hold part-time positions in almost every campus division, including: Antioch Farm, Herndon Gallery, Foundry Theater, Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Antioch Review literary journal, Antioch Kitchens, Olive Kettering Library, and Antioch College Community Government. Additionally, Antioch students are employed at non-profit organizations in the village of Yellow Springs as part of the Student Miller Fellowship Program, which is funded through an endowment held at the Yellow Springs Community Foundation.

[2] Is there a work requirement? Do I have to work to keep my work grant?

Yes. All full-time residential students are required to work for a minimum of 5 hours per week on campus or in the community during study terms. We expect all students to actively contribute to campus and community life while enrolled at Antioch College. Students earn the Antioch College Work Program Tuition Grant each term for their first five hours worked. Beyond this, students may work a second 5 hours/week for a paycheck once authorized by HR. If a student is in good academic standing, they become eligible for a third 5 hours/week.

Thus, a student may work up to 15 hours/week total, including the required first 5 hours for the work grant and up to 10 paycheck hours. Any additional hours beyond the first five are optional, as some students may prefer to prioritize their studies and work only the first five hours.

We work with students to find and apply for the right fit ACW job. Each position is designed to support students in skill-building, teamwork, and active contribution to the community. Accommodations for students — which may include physical or mental health concerns—regarding campus jobs are arranged in coordination with the Dean of Students or Student Success Services Coordinator.

[3] How much do student workers earn?

Students earn a Work Program Tuition Grant for the first 5 hours worked. The grant is awarded to all full-time residential students, and annually totals $4,500. Students may choose to work up to an additional 10 hours/week for a paycheck, while maintaining good academic standing. On average, student workers earn $11/hour for the additional paycheck hours worked per week during study terms. In total, students may work up to 15 hours per week, with the first 5 hours towards their Work Program Grant and an additional 5-10 hours towards a paycheck.

[4] What happens if a student is unable to meet the requirements?

The work program reflects Antioch’s commitment to meeting our students where they are and creating supportive and collaborative opportunities for community engagement.

The work program handbook outlines guidelines and policies to support students and campus supervisors. ACW staff track students’ work progress in a similar process that monitors students’ academic progress. We communicate with students and supervisors about their work progress early and often.

If a student falls behind on the five hour minimum, they will have opportunities to catch up in subsequent weeks. The five hour requirement is an average across the 11-week term. If initial efforts to catch up are not successful, there is the potential for sanctions such as an alert, probation, or suspension, which parallels our academic progress policies.

[5] What are the expectations of campus supervisors?

Yes. The work program handbook also includes guidelines and expectations for supervisors. Supervisors are evaluated by students as well as institutionally through their annual review. Supervisors are expected to provide training, support, and ongoing feedback to student workers, as their role is critical to a student’s educational and workplace learning and success.

Yes. Staff supervisors at Antioch become an integral part of a student’s professional network, serving as mentors, references, and guides to aid in next steps at Antioch and beyond.

For more information, contact the dean of cooperative, international, and community-based learning at 937-319-0099 or coopedu@antiochcollege.edu.