Director of Fellowship & Awards

Position Summary

The Director of National and International Fellowships and Awards will lead UTEP's efforts in strengthening a culture of scholarship and increasing the number of high quality applicants for prestigious fellowships and honors such as Rhodes, Marshall, Schwarzman, Fulbright, Udall, Gilman, Goldwater, Hertz, and Truman. From education and awareness to mentoring and celebrating student success, the Director will be a champion for high-achieving students to successfully navigate through the many fellowship and scholarship opportunities available to them, including engaging faculty as mentors and panelists for the selection of students for these awards. Competitive applicants will have experience facilitating national and international fellowships, particularly those that require institutional endorsement. Candidates will also have demonstrated experience and an innovative approach to marketing, recruiting and preparing students for these opportunities in addition to partnering with faculty, staff, departments and programs found in a University setting. Familiarity with and passion for serving a predominantly Latino, first-generation college-going student population is essential. The Director, a key member of the leadership team, will work collaboratively with the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the Divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs including the Graduate School in addition to national and international agencies, programs and organizations to meet the goal of increasing the number of applicants for prestigious fellowships and awards.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the strategic mission and vision of the Office of Student Fellowships and Awards, including developing, implementing, and conducting a comprehensive department assessment plan that includes but is not limited to, tracking student engagement through monthly Department Dashboards, Impact Reports, and an Annual Work Plan containing specific and measurable goals and objectives.
• Provide leadership, management and budgetary oversight of the department including the supervision of the employees of the department including graduate and undergraduate students.
• Serve as primary advisor for highly competitive, national and international fellowship and scholarship opportunities requiring institutional endorsement and maintaining up-to-date information, knowledge and understanding of national fellowships and awards requirements, policies, procedures, and application processes, submission criteria and deadlines.
• Develop and manage an educational outreach campaign to build awareness of these opportunities among UTEP's predominantly Latino, first-generation student population and ultimately applicants for fellowships and awards.
• In partnership with faculty and staff, develop and manage strategies to identify high potential students early in their undergraduate college career to pursue such opportunities and provide necessary guidance and encouragement.
• Engage faculty mentors to assist students with their application, particularly in cases where the fellowship involves research proposals and to serve on review panels for specific awards.
• Work with qualified students to ensure they meet the deadlines with high quality applications, connecting them with institutional resources in order to improve their prospects for success.
• Facilitate and conduct a series of workshops pertaining to the application process, personal statements and other necessary components of competitive programs.
• Identify faculty, staff, community members and campus visitors who have earned prestigious national and international fellowships, honors or scholarships in the past or who have served as reviewers of such applications for the various granting organizations, and arrange for them to meet with prospective UTEP applicants.
• Manage the Hawkins Scholarship, a UTEP-specific honor, providing two students of outstanding intellect and character who show promise of becoming leaders capable of addressing important challenges facing humanity funding to support education expenses most notably experiences away from campus (study abroad, internships, research, etc.) in preparation for the student's graduate education.
• Manage Undergraduate Fellows Program, a program designed to help outstanding first-year and second-year students planning to apply for nationally competitive fellowships during their undergraduate career.
• Develop a plan to publicize student achievements including regular updates to Deans and Chairs on fellowship applicants.
• Facilitate department events that recruit students to pursue prestigious fellowships and celebrate award recipients' achievements, including the Scholars and Fellowship Fair and the annual Celebration of Success.
• Establish a campus calendar for awards requiring institutional nomination/endorsement and develop Learning Management System modules to keep potential applicants informed, engaged and on track with deadlines.
• Serve as the liaison or institutional representative to funding agencies when appropriate.
• Serve as the Advisor for UTEP's Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Participates in various committees, professional trainings, industry conferences, and conventions as needed. Represent the university on a national level by hosting campus visits from fellowship partners and funding agencies; actively engaging with the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA); and cultivating strategic relationships with national fellowship organizations, funding agencies, and Fulbright country commissions to strengthen institutional visibility and support student success. Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software, and able to learn and use institutional software systems. Complies with all State and University policies. Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's objectives, policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Education: Master's degree and Experience: Three years post master's in related field. Strong organizational skills and demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication. An ability to exercise good judgement, discretion, and work effectively with diverse groups. Strong coaching and mentoring skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Doctorate degree and demonstrated experience facilitating the processes associated with national and/or international fellowships, particularly those that require institutional endorsement (Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright, etc.). Prior experience serving as a Reviewer for regional, national or international fellowships and awards.