PAY GRADE: 32E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB: 

Under limited direction of the Interim Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the Honors College, the Director of the Office of National Fellowships (ONF) leads the University's involvement in national fellowship and scholarship competitions.

The Director oversees the ONF and its staff.  The Director is responsible for strategic planning, budget oversight, research, working with faculty in a variety of disciplines, and advising university leadership on the progress of academically talented students in national fellowship competitions and other related endeavors.  The Director performs a variety of duties in support of the recruitment and advisement of students, faculty, and alumni considering and applying for nationally and internationally competitive fellowship, scholarship, and award opportunities. The Director collaborates with units and individuals across the institution to identify and recruit prospective candidates, plans workshops for faculty mentors and students, supports and advises students in their application processes, and builds a culture of external recognition at the Institution. The Director also develops, monitors, and assesses the effectiveness of national fellowship programs, services, and processes annually to improve in future years. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management (40%)

• Manages and directs the Office of National Fellowships

• Manages the participation in scholarship competitions and related competition cycles for students, faculty, and alumni.

• Develops a strong reputation among all individuals (students, faculty, and alumni) looking to use and support the office.

• Builds and maintains liaison and collaborative relationships with academic units (e.g., colleges, schools, departments, institutes, and centers) on campus.

• Cultivates relationships with faculty and staff to ensure cross-campus participation in identifying and mentoring candidates, serving on selection committees, vetting drafts of statements, participating in mock interviews, and providing letters of support.

• Serves as UD's contact with national fellowship foundations, developing working relationships to understand and communicate the nuances and complexities of various competitions. Keeps current with standards, trends, data, and technologies in fellowship support.

• Determines best practices regarding nationally competitive scholarships and programs by participating actively and fostering relationships with officials at national and regional offices/associations, particularly the National Association of Fellowships Advisors (NAFA), through which nationally competitive programs are administered. This involvement will enhance the national visibility of the Institution and its students.

• Develops and maintains relationships with external funding agencies and foundations, ensuring appropriate campus preparation and selection procedures.

• Creates and implements an annual plan with strategic goals and initiatives. 

• Generates increasing awareness among prospective applicants about the range of national fellowships that can be pursued along with the nature and scope of the offices’ services.

• Promotes the services of the office to the UD community.

• Assembles comprehensive information about the fellowships opportunities that can be pursued.

• Keeps records on national fellowship finalists and recipients and ensures that national fellowship recipients are recognized.

• Responsible for annual budget creation and oversight. 

• Plans staff meetings and office retreats (as needed).

• Coordinates advisory council(s) related to specific programs and awards.

• Participates in Honors College staff meetings and other relevant meetings of departments, colleges, and university entities.

• Oversees office data processes and procedures.

Advising and events (25%)

• Leads the advising and application process for nationally competitive fellowships (Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Truman, Fulbright, NSF GRFP, NIH, and others) for undergraduate and graduate students and qualified alumni.

• Overseas the design, promotion, and offering of a comprehensive array of workshops, info sessions, and special events to educate students, faculty, and alumni about the various national fellowship competitions.

• Provides leadership at workshops and other events to recruit and support students in pursuing national fellowships.

• Creates and maintains helpful readily available online resources for applicants.

• Manages and participates in the advisement of applicants through the development of competitive resumes and application materials including, but not limited to, providing individual feedback on the application process for regional, national, and international scholarships/placements, mentoring students’ essay preparation, and training students in interview techniques and other skills appropriate to the awards. Meets individually with promising students seeking general scholarship advising.

• Prepares finalists for their interviews by recruiting faculty and staff for mock interviews.

• Organizes faculty and community committee meetings for evaluation and mock interviews.

• Tracks incoming scholarship materials (i.e., transcripts, waivers, letters of recommendation) and communicates with applicants about their status.

• Writes and/or procures institutional endorsement letters while mentoring and providing feedback to letter of recommendation writers as needed.

• Ensures completion of letters of endorsement in support of candidates.

• Works closely with faculty, staff, and administrators from across the institution to identify and mentor potential candidates for nationally competitive scholarships and programs.

• Provides information to faculty members regarding applicants, nomination procedures, and selection processes for competitions.

• Manages and maintains a comprehensive database of potential, current, and former candidates.

Supervision (15%)

• Hires, supervises, trains, mentors, and evaluates all staff who directly support the national fellowship programs.

• Uses appropriate management principles to monitor employee progress toward goal attainment.

• Communicates expectations and provides feedback to assist employees with performance improvement, personal development, and skill/competency development.

Assessment (15%)

• Develops and oversees the assessment of the ONF, including existing and new programs, processes, and results.  Makes recommendations to the Honors College Dean related to future endeavors.

• Maintains records of advisement and programmatic engagement while also collecting and maintaining data pertaining to the outcomes of applications for fellowships.

• Gathers and evaluates statistical information on UD applicants' success in national fellowship competitions, and uses those results to set goals, modify programs, and share with primary stakeholders.

• Regularly assesses the efficacy and impact of marketing and awareness initiatives and adjusts as necessary.

• Benchmarks UD’s program against other programs nationally.

Other (5%)

• Represents the College at meetings of regional and national conferences, and professional associations such as the National Association for Fellowship Advisors.

• Participates in events in support of other campus activities for high-achieving students.

• Serves as director of appropriate university honors societies (e.g. Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society), advising students and coordinating recognition events.

• Performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Master’s degree required; Doctoral degree preferred, and five years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Ability to think strategically, set goals, initiate action, and work both individually and as a team to achieve the goals.

• Experience working in a higher education environment.

• Experience and knowledge of national fellowship advising.

• Proven track record in design and oversight of programming to enhance applicants' success in applying for and winning nationally competitive fellowships. 

• Demonstrated experience in building collaborative university-wide relationships, including the ability to enlist and engage faculty members.

• Demonstrated supervisory skills and experience.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking.

• Exceptional interpersonal, management, and problem-solving skills.

• High level of organization and superior attention to detail.

• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and competing priorities and to strengthen relationships with strategic partners.

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret information accurately.

• Ability to exercise excellent professional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

• Growth orientated and ability to be adaptable and flexible.

• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures and backgrounds.

• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.