Job Information
Johns Hopkins University Assistant Director, Scholars & Fellows Program in Baltimore, Maryland
We are currently seeking an Assistant Director, Scholars & Fellows Program (SFP) that is creative, team-oriented, with excellent interpersonal skills to provide support for scholar development and nationally competitive fellowships advising within a complex office focused on academic and intellectual engagement for Johns Hopkins University students. The Assistant Director will contribute to the SFP mission of empowering students by conducting outreach to and advising for students in the cohort-based programs and fellowships programs (e.g. Fulbright, UK Scholarships, Truman, Goldwater, et al.) The ideal candidate will have a strong background in understanding the lived experiences of first-generation college students and underserved students.
The establishment of the SFP team within the Center for Student Success (CSS) is designed to align fellowship advising with a mission of access and inclusion, and is part of a broad, ambitious initiative to support highly talented and motivated first-generation, limited income (FLI) students at Johns Hopkins University. The core work of SFP is to provide students with opportunities for self-reflection and to develop a strong understanding of their strengths, the multiple pathways and opportunities to realize their ambitious goals and the value of a liberal arts education. Within the SFP team, advising focuses on students’ intellectual wayfinding and, in the context of fellowships advising, intense and iterative feedback meant to push applicants to high levels of reflection and expressive competence.
The Assistant Director will also serve as head of a scholar's cohort program at JHU. This role is expected to be a visible presence on campus and within the SFP/CSS team and highly visible among students in the cohort, demonstrating an investment in knowing students directly, inviting them into conversation about their experiences, strengths, and aspirations. By leading the program, the role develops, implements and assesses a guided pathway for scholars to explore their curiosities and make meaningful connections with local and national leaders across disciplines, as well as develop a strong professional network that will serve them well during their time at JHU and beyond.
The Assistant Director reports to the Senior Director for Scholars & Fellows Programs within the Center for Student Success.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Scholars Cohort Program (30%)
Program Leadership
Develop the overall program design in consultation with the SFP Sr. Director and CSS central leadership.
In collaboration with SFP colleagues and other relevant offices on campus, identify program goals and learning outcomes and design opportunities (courses, workshops, experiential learning opportunities, etc.) that ensure that scholars meet these goals and outcomes.
Collaborate with SFP Sr. Director and Admissions in yielding admitted scholars; design and implement early outreach to and onboarding for incoming students and their families.
With support of the SFP team develop, implement, and assess signature events each year for the scholars.
In consultation with the SFP Sr. Director, develop, implement and advise on policies related to the program.
Serve as a prominent voice on issues related to scholar development in a range of forums (social media, conferences, academic journals, etc.
Advising & Supervising
Ensure that each scholar is connected to opportunities and resources related to high-impact practices across the university (internships, research, study abroad, etc.).
Create and advise a student advisory group.
Develop peer and alumni mentorship programs.
Hire, train and provide guidance for Graduate Assistants and undergraduate interns in implementing programming and events.
Program Administration
In consultation with the SFP Sr. Director, develop a budget for programming and signature experiences that aligns fiscal resources with program objectives.
Provide updates and reports about the program for SFP and CSS central leadership as needed.
Maintain social media accounts, newsletters, Hopkins Groups pages, and One Hop mentoring groups and pathways relevant to the cohort.
For internal and external audiences, collaborate on the development and implementation of assessment strategies to collect, manage and report data related to the program.
Collaborative Partnerships (30%)
Establish strong relationships with CSS colleagues and with campus partners across the institution including Student Affairs, Integrative Learning and Life Design, Admissions, and Diversity & Inclusion, as well as with administrators within the Homewood-based schools (Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Whiting School of Engineering).
Develop working connections with faculty across academic disciplines to the benefit of all programs within the portfolio.
Collaborate with the SFP team in defining and administering existing high-impact experience pathways, including the CSS Summer Grant and FiGURE research initiatives.
Working with colleagues in SFP and across campus, design innovative ways to scale the scholar development experience across the broader undergraduate population, with special attention to students within the FLI Network.
Other duties as assigned.
Fellowships Advising (20% )
Advise fellowships applicants in all application processes.
With colleagues in SFP and across campus, help design and implement recruitment and engagement opportunities that increase awareness of and participation in the fellowship process, with special attention geared toward first and second-year students and underserved students.
Conduct information sessions, host drop-in hours, and lead skills workshops (personal statement, CV, etc.) for JHU students and alumni.
Administer or co-administer some of the application processes for national fellowships at JHU.
Participate in, and coordinate where needed, selection committees and mock interviews as part of the fellowship application processes at JHU.
Alumni Engagement (20%)
Along with the Sr. Director, serve as liaison between SFP and Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), working to build programs that connect current scholars to alumni for career exploration and professional mentoring, including alumni panels, mentoring meetups, and formal mentoring programs.
Support the Associate Director, SFP in developing outreach and engagement strategies with Hopkins alumni who are winners of national fellowships.
Collaborate with other scholar cohort directors to create opportunities for scholars to connect with alumni during off-campus experiences (travel colloquia, day treks, site visits, etc.)
With DAR and Hopkins Connect, help facilitate connections and mentoring relationships between current FLI students and FLI alumni.
Special Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities
Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of and experience with cohort-based student programs and nationally competitive fellowships either as an advisor, recipient or participant is highly desired.
Demonstrated curiosity and ability to innovate within a complex, decentralized university environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Able to work effectively in a range of modalities (virtual, in-person) and locations across campus.
Strong organization, project management, problem solving and time management skills.
Experience with event and travel planning a plus.
Must be available and willing to work some evenings / weekends as required for events and programming. Must be able and willing to travel both domestically and internationally.
Knowledge of a wide variety of different academic fields and of research practices specific to different academic fields is needed.
Knowledge of strategic planning, counseling and research needed to support students within historically underserved populations is essential.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from all backgrounds to promote equity and access, foster inclusion, and effect positive change.
Minimum Qualifications
Master's Degree.
Three years of related experience. This may include experience advising students about national fellowships, experience teaching at the college level, experience advising undergraduates in either academic or career paths.
Preferred Qualifications
Classified Title: Scholars & Fellows Officer
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Assistant Director, Scholars & Fellows Program
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/ME
Starting Salary Range: $64,000 - $112,200 Annually ($70,000 targeted; Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: M-F, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/Homewood Campus
Department name: Center for Student Success
Personnel area: University Student Services
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. The university promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, disabled persons, and veterans.