Deputy Director and Assistant Dean of National Fellowships
The University of Chicago

Department

College Center for Research and Fellowships

About the Department

The College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF) offers comprehensive support for students pursuing undergraduate research and nationally competitive fellowships, scholarships, and postgraduate opportunities. As a part of its charge to support undergraduates in their scholarly advancement, it aims to provide a college-wide framework for undergraduate research and scholarship, supporting both student and faculty engagement in such initiatives. An integral part of the College, the CCRF is committed to providing comprehensive, high-impact support for undergraduate research and scholarship meritorious of national recognition. It is rooted in the research mission of the University and the academic mission of the College. The CCRF Executive Director and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Research and Scholars Programs reports directly to the Dean of the College.

Job Summary

The College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF) at the University of Chicago invites applications for the position of Deputy Director and Assistant Dean of National Fellowships. The Deputy Director provides strategic and visible leadership for the national fellowship operation within the College Center for Research and Fellowship, working with colleagues across the University of Chicago's departments, divisions, and administrative units. The position is responsible for leading the CCRF's efforts in advancing national fellowship opportunities, early-career academic support programming, and related initiatives at the University of Chicago. The Deputy Director will serve as the unit and collegiate lead for all national fellowship activities supported by the University and other units, as appropriate. The Deputy Director will lead the development and maintenance of sustainable national fellowship operation indicative of the institution's commitment to academic excellence, facilitating effective and educational fellowship application processes for its undergraduates and recent alumni, and celebrating national fellowships achievements of students at the University of Chicago. The Deputy Director must have an innovative vision for advancing participation in national fellowship opportunities, including increasing participation among underrepresented student populations. They must also possess exceptional higher education administrative acumen with demonstrable experience in supporting major national fellowships. The Deputy Director will report to Executive Director of the CCRF and supervise two full-time assistant directors of national fellowships, as well as share in the supervision responsibilities of the CCRF Program Manager. They will also contribute to the strategic advancement of the entire unit as a member of its senior leadership team, helping to advance the growth, reach, and impact of the College Center for Research and Fellowships and its role in the academic and scholarly life of the College and University.

Responsibilities

• Oversees all operations of the fellowships team, which is charged with identifying, recruiting, mentoring, and advising students and alumni from diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds to apply successfully for competitive fellowships and scholarships. This includes the management of two FTE assistant directors of national fellowships and the joint supervision of the CCRF program manager.
• Expands the CCRF's national fellowship profile and reach by continuing to raise awareness of national and international fellowship opportunities.
• Brings innovative ideas about enhancing the CCRF's effectiveness in all facets of student development and support and enhances access and success among groups historically underrepresented in prestigious fellowships, scholarships, and research grants.
• Raises students' and other community members' awareness of national fellowship opportunities via print and web materials, social media, virtual and in-person information sessions, outreach to other offices, faculty meetings, and participation in events and activities.
• Collaborates with other University offices to enhance the experiences and promote the development of student applicants; these partners include, among others: collegiate divisions and academic advising, departments and centers, scholars programs, Study Abroad, UChicago Language Center, Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning, Hyde Park Institute, Center for Leadership and Service, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, University Libraries, CCRF Research, among others.
• In collaboration with faculty, staff and other academic professionals, encourages high-potential students to engage in and obtain financial support for high-impact experiential learning (e.g., undergraduate research, other academic enrichment programs, targeted leadership programs, meaningful civic engagement and public service experiences, study abroad and language acquisition, etc.), and considers a wide range of national fellowship opportunities.
• Oversees advising of students throughout the fellowship application process; participates personally in student advising, including providing feedback on essays, coordinating selection processes and hosting mock interviews for targeted programs including: Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Truman, Beinecke, Davis, Fulbright, and DAAD RISE. Oversees CCRF fellowship advisors in their advising practices and execution of fellowship application cycles.
• Supports faculty who serve as mentors, writes recommendation letters, participates in mock interviews, and contributes in other ways to fellowship advising.
• Enhances the College Center for Research and Fellowships' visibility and success recruiting among underrepresented (first-generation, BIPOC, veteran, low-income, LGBTQ+) student populations and encourages students' educational growth and professional development.
• Effectively communicates successes and opportunities to the University community and external audiences, including potential donors.
• Builds and supervises a lean, diverse, and effective team of fellowship advisors.
• Collaborates closely with the CCRF Research team on research and scholars curriculum that includes support for major national fellowships.
• Provides high-impact, developmental advising to undergraduates across all disciplines interested in pursuing any of the above-named fellowships in the individual advising context and in instructional environments.
• Continues to develop and advance existing campus application processes to ensure the greatest success for student candidates.
• Partners with faculty, departments, divisions, senior Collegiate leadership, and other institutional partners to identify, recruit, and support national fellowships candidates. Takes a data-driven approach to identifying candidates and fellowship opportunities; conducts ongoing assessment of the CCRF's outreach, advisement, and impact.
• Responsible for the design and execution of the annual Cathey Fellowship program, including the selection process.
• Maintains a professional identity and highly visible presence for the CCRF national fellowship enterprise and actively promotes national fellowships among faculty, staff, and students; this includes public speaking to a variety of constituents including students, parents, faculty, senior University leadership, and donors.
• Collaborates with College Communications, the University News Office, and departments to develop media, publicity events, publications, and web content to publicize and promote national fellowship efforts and achievements.
• Chairs a variety of CCRF fellowship selection committees. Serves on committees relevant to the CCRF's undergraduate research operations and those relevant to the University's scholarship and research infrastructure.
• Active engagement with the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA); attends and presents at national and regional conferences; remains well-informed of national trends related to national fellowships to inform national fellowships and support at the University of Chicago.
• Explores and develops techniques for continued collaboration across the CCRF's functional areas (national fellowships, scholars' programming, and undergraduate research); continues to advance efforts developing and supporting University Scholars Program.
• Embraces and appreciates the diversity of UChicago undergraduates.
• Forms collaborative relationships with campus partners including faculty, lecturers, postdocs, and graduate students, and staff to design programs and provide assistance or consultation.
• Supervises program managers and staff.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD.

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in national fellowship mentoring, developmental advising, and/or teaching.
• At least 8 years of demonstrable experience in technical writing, professional or technical communication or editing and/or a position that included proposal/grant writing and/or appropriate undergraduate degree or emphasis area (e.g., English, Scientific or Technical Writing, etc.).
• Eight years of progressively responsible administrative experience.
• Experience providing instruction on national fellowship application processes, as well as creating, facilitating, and delivering information sessions and workshops about various fellowship programs and effective written and oral communication skills.
• Strong leadership and managerial skills.
• Experience developing national fellowship application and advising best practices and policies.
• Experience utilizing current educational assessment tools to survey applicant experiences and use to propose quality enhancement plans for the unit.
• Research and publication record commensurate with discipline/experience.
• Have substantive experience working within the broader national fellowships enterprise and be able to effectively guide undergraduates in translating their academic interests and experiences into viable national fellowship applications.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in Mac and PC environments.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook, and online organizational tools.
• Experience with Canvas or other higher education course-building platforms.
• Familiarity with Adobe graphic design/web development environments, database management, social media platforms.
• Possess an in-depth understanding of national fellowships, including national trends, and an established track record of activities related to nationally prestigious fellowships, high impact advising and, broadly, teaching and learning practices in higher education.

Preferred Competencies

• Highly motivated, innovative, well-organized, detail-oriented, and resourceful academic leader who enjoys working closely with undergraduates.
• Familiarity with students and educational experience in highly selective, top-tier institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to establish good working relationships with people of different backgrounds.
• Strong commitment to young adults and the values and goals of a liberal arts education, appreciation for the value of undergraduate research as a scholarly enterprise and as important for student development.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, provide thought-leadership, and work well as a principal, contributing member to a small team.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, administrative, and computer skills.
• Strong program and event management skills; prioritize and manage concurrent tasks with interruptions; and ability to meet deadlines and respond to many emails, in person and phone requests in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated ability to handle highly confidential information related to students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and manage effectively competing demands.
• Proven ability to collaborate with faculty and institutional partners.
• Exceptional written and oral presentation skills; teaching experience.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Some evening and weekend work.
• Fast-paced environment.
• Lift up to 40 lbs.
• Push carts with up to 50 lbs. of material.
• Sit at a computer for 4-6 hours.
• Periodic walking to other campus locations.
• Climbing up to 5 flights of stairs.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter, which is to include your interest in and competencies for this position (required)
• References Contact Information (3), professional/academic; the names of student references welcomed (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Requires Compliance with University Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

Employees must comply with the University's COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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