Job location: Smith College

Employment Type: Full-time
Posted data: 2022-01-14
Req: R-202200024

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Class Deans OfficeJob Description

Job Summary

Provide visionary leadership for the Fellowships Program at Smith. Craft and maintain a strategic vision that is tied to the larger academic mission of the institution. Build relationships with foundations, foster strong collaboration with faculty, and design programs and services aimed at supporting students in the fellowships process. Recruit, advise, and mentor students and alumnae on nationally competitive scholarship and fellowship opportunities including Fulbright, Rhodes, Marshall, Gates Cambridge, Churchill, Truman, Udall, Schwarzman, Mitchell, and others. Collaborate with the Associate Director of Fellowships to deliver a comprehensive program that is broadly accessible to the entire student population, and prioritizes the educational and personal growth of the student as an integral part of a successful fellowship program.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Program Management (50%):

• Cultivate and lead fellowship advisory committees in each academic division (humanities, social science, and natural science) comprised of faculty and relevant staff. Meet monthly to provide updates on fellowships, and share information on particular fellowships. Engage faculty to review candidate profiles, and to participate in on-campus committee interviews for Fulbright, and in practice interviews for other fellowships as needed.

• Oversee and manage the college’s responsibilities in the fellowships area, including forming interview committees, scheduling interviews and providing feedback, writing institutional endorsement letters, and conducting assessment activities.

• Regularly attend NAFA meetings; stay abreast of best practices, maintain up-to-date knowledge of application policies and procedures, new fellowship opportunities, and maintain a strong understanding of electronic application systems. Network with national scholarship/fellowship programs at the local, regional and national levels to raise the college’s profile within these programs.

• Build strong relationships with foundations. Regularly invite representatives to campus to host information sessions with faculty and students.

• Routinely meet with first year and sophomore faculty/liberal arts advisers to learn more about particular students with potential for fellowship candidacies.

Student Recruitment and Advising (50%):

• Oversee efforts to promote national fellowship opportunities. Advise and mentor prospective candidates on the range of opportunities available.

• Develop and cultivate a holistic advising system that meets the needs of the whole student, and provides a positive, nurturing pedagogical process for fellowships.

• Create opportunities to engage with first years and sophomores; collaborate with faculty and staff across campus to connect with students participating in academic and/or research-intensive programs (Posse, STRIDE, SURF, Kahn, Mellon Mays, etc)

• Hold information sessions and conduct other outreach to students to inform them of fellowships opportunities

• Implement in-person and virtual alumnae panels featuring former fellowship participants

• Support students as they articulate their interests and ambitions and apply for fellowship opportunities that further their academic, personal and professional goals

• Provide feedback on proposals and essays. Assist candidates with final revisions of applications when appropriate. Ensure students meet multiple internal deadlines

• Facilitate the application process from start to finish; track students’ progress on completing applications and the status of affiliation and recommendation letters from faculty members and institutions

• Manage and track electronic applications within various fellowship systems

• Develop and implement workshops on the fellowships process, writing effective personal statements, and other related topics

• Coach students on interview preparation and organize practice sessions as needed

• Collaborate with the Lazarus Center for Career Development, the Associate Dean of the College for Advising and Mentoring, and the Associate Dean of Integrative Learning to think about students’ post-graduation pathways in a holistic way

• Other duties as assigned

Other Functions

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

Master’s degree. Three to five years direct previous experience with national scholarships and fellowships. Previous teaching, research, and/or academic administration experience is desirable.

Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

PhD

Skills

Excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills. High level of computer literacy and technical skills. Experience with Workday or other student information systems, Salesforce or comparable CRM. Experience with scholarship application systems. Strong interpersonal and presentation skills. Highly collaborative. Keen attention to detail and follow-through.

Additional Information

For the care and safety of our community, Smith College requires that all employees be vaccinated as a condition of employment and as such, the incumbent will be required to be immunized against COVID-19 on or before their first day of employment. Proof of vaccination status will be required. Individuals may seek medical or religious exemption with HR, but must do so prior to their arrival.

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application. You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

January 31, 2022

Compensation Grade:

Grade G

Position Type:

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Diversity and a culture of inclusion among students, staff, faculty, and administration are crucial to the mission and values of Smith College. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, color, religions, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression or veteran status in the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff, and the operation of any of its programs and activities, as specified by all applicable laws and regulations. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.