Director, Gerald and Carol Vovis Center for Research and Advanced Study and Health Professions Advising

LocationGalesburg, Illinois

Employment TypeFull-Time Benefited

DepartmentCenter for Research & Advanced Study

Knox College invites applications for the Director of the Gerald and Carol Vovis Center for Research and Advanced Study and Health Professions Advising. The College is committed to the success of its diverse and creative student body and seeks a director to promote our values of collaborative learning, community building, and personal and professional development. The Vovis Center supports students in many dimensions of advanced study. The Center provides funds for undergraduate research and creative work, recruits and prepares students for post-graduate fellowship competitions, and offers guidance for students interested in pursuing graduate studies. The director serves as the primary Health Professions Advisor for the campus. In this realm, the director works in collaboration with the faculty pre-health liaison to assist students interested in pursuing careers and post-graduate training in many health professions. The Director position is a 12-month, full-time benefits-eligible position that reports to the Provost & Dean of the College.

The Directors key responsibilities include:

• Support for undergraduate research.
• Health professions advising.
• Support students interested in graduate school and post-graduate experiences.

In pursuit of these key responsibilities, the director will:

• Manage resources for undergraduate research / creative work funds and promote opportunities for students to share their work with campus and external groups.
• Develop a holistic approach to advising students and alumni exploring health career pathways. The director will guide students through the admission processes for post-graduate education, and, in conjunction with the faculty pre-health liaison, supports the pre-health curriculum through informational and experiential opportunities. Working with other campus offices, the director will assist students seeking clinical internships, skill training and community service experiences.
• Recruitment of applicants for national and international fellowships and scholarships, such as Goldwater, Udall, Fulbright, Truman, and Marshall. The director serves as the Knox College campus representative for national and international fellowships and scholarships.

To accomplish this agenda, the director’s duties will include:

• Working collaboratively with a steering committee to manage the Vovis Center agenda and with the pre-health faculty liaison to establish a calendar of health professions advising events.
• Managing application and selection processes for funded student activities (such as the Paul K. Richter and Evalyn Elizabeth Cook Richter Memorial Fund for independent work beyond the classroom and the Artists, Scientists, Scholars and Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow (ASSET) program for outstanding juniors). Complete annual reports on these activities.
• Work with the Power of Experience coordinator to provide experiential learning stipends to students.
• Occasional travel associated with pre-health advising such as attendance of national and regional health studies meetings and student-related activities (such as the JUMP simulation program).
• Work with the Dean's Office and Advancement staff to seek funding for the ASSET Program and other Vovis Center initiatives.
• Leadership of the Winter Seminar for the ASSET Program.
• Dissemination of the accomplishments of students associated with Vovis Center programs including the annual event HORIZONS: A Celebration of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Work.
• Oversight of the Responsible Conduct of Research CITI program required for campus researchers.
• Supervise administrative support staff.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required, but Ph.D. preferred. Preference given to applicants with experience in related fields (e.g., STEM, health sciences) or a student development background.
• Three years of direct experience in an undergraduate research office, academic advising office, or pre-health office and experience in a liberal arts college setting preferred.
• A student-centered approach that aspires to serve students of diverse backgrounds and contribute to their success personally and professionally.
• A commitment to developing one’s expertise in areas of student interest and a mindset to pursue one’s continued development as an expression of support students’ growth.
• Ability to work closely with faculty, students, and staff, building strong relationships across various offices and sectors of the College; ability to manage staff effectively.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written; strong planning and organizational skills. External grant writing experience preferred.

Application
Complete a Knox College employment application by selecting Apply for this Job below and on the right side. Finalists will be subject to a background check. Review of applications begins March 27, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled. Candidates must possess work authorization to be considered for the role. J-1 program sponsorship will be considered, if otherwise eligible.

Notice of Non-Discrimination
Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious affiliation, sexual orientation or preference, age, marital or family status, disability, veteran status, or other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law in admission, financial aid, employment, athletics, or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College’s policies that prohibit discrimination should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator or the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.