Job Information
Johns Hopkins University Assistant Director, Scholars & Fellows Program in Baltimore, Maryland
We are currently seeking an Assistant Director, Scholars & Fellows Program (SFP). The selected candidate will be a creative, team-oriented individual 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 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 first-generation, limited income (FLI) students, who make up 30% of the undergraduate student population at Johns Hopkins University. The Assistant Director will contribute to the SFP mission of empowering students by conducting outreach to and advising for students in the fellowship's programs (e.g. Fulbright, UK Scholarships, Truman, Goldwater, et al.), with a particular focus on engaging FLI students through early outreach initiatives and fellowships advising throughout their undergraduate career. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in understanding the lived experiences of first-generation college students and underserved students and a demonstrated commitment to access, equity and inclusion within scholar development.
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 intense and iterative feedback meant to push applicants to high levels of reflection and expressive competence. The Assistant Director fosters academic engagement by supporting and guiding students as they prepare for national competitions for fellowships. The Assistant Director will work closely with the Associate Director, faculty, and administrators throughout the University in order to recruit a competitive and diversified pool of applicants for scholarships such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Mitchell, Truman, Goldwater, and Fulbright among others, with special attention to first-generation, limited income and underserved students. In collaboration with the Associate Director, the Assistant Director will manage a subset of these fellowship opportunities and serve as the liaison between Johns Hopkins University and the foundations awarding the scholarships.
This role is expected to be a visible presence on campus and within the SFP/CSS team and highly visible among applicants, demonstrating an investment in knowing students directly, inviting them into conversation about their experiences, strengths, and aspirations. The Assistant Director reports directly to the Associate Director of Scholars & Fellows Programs.
Specific Duties & Responsibilities
Fellowships Outreach & Recruitment (30%)
Develops collaborative partnerships with faculty, academic departments and programs, CSS partners, and campus partners to identify strong candidates for fellowships opportunities with a particular focus on early outreach to FLI students, first- and second-year students and underserved students.
Develops and implements a communication plan with SFP Fellowship Coordinators to promote participation in nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships among all Johns Hopkins students. Partners with FLI Network and the Success Coaching in Academic Advising Program to amplify communications to FLI students.
In collaboration with other members of the SFP team, ensure that FLI and underserved students in the university’s scholars cohort programs are introduced to fellowship opportunities early in their academic career and that program learning goals prepare scholars for the fellowship application process.
Develop partnerships with the Global Education Office (GEO) to support university efforts to increase awareness of and participation in international opportunities among FLI and underserved students. Collaborate with GEO in advertising and supporting applicants to national fellowships designed to support study abroad. (Critical Language Scholarship, Gilman, Boren, Fulbright UK, Freeman-Asia, etc.).
Invites and hosts national foundations on campus to raise campus awareness of fellowship opportunities.
In partnership with the Associate Director, prepares and disseminates publications of student finalist and award winners as needed.
Manage the creation and dissemination of the SFP newsletters and listserv. Manages the SFP social media channels.
Manages and updates the primary resources for fellowships applicants including databases and canvas course content.
Other duties as assigned.
Fellowships Advising (45%)
Advises Johns Hopkins undergraduate and graduate students and young alumni on applying for nationally competitive scholarships. Manages a subset of these fellowship opportunities in coordination with the Associate Director.
Along with other members of the SFP team, develops and conducts workshops to teach skills such as interviewing and personal statement writing to facilitate student self-presentation. Provide targeted workshops and presentations for FLI students via CSS partner programs including the Success Coaching Program in Academic Advising, FLI Network, and JUMP.
In collaboration with the Associate Director, creates and annually assesses an application process for advising students applying for fellowships with access, equity and inclusion centered in developing protocols, processes, and resources.
Represents Johns Hopkins as an active member within the National Association of Fellowships Advisors.
Recruit faculty and staff members to serve on campus endorsement committees and practice interviews.
Serve as a point of contact with scholarship foundations, providing insights into the robust commitment to access, equity, and inclusion via the FLI initiatives at Johns Hopkins University.
Serve as a prominent voice on issues related to access and inclusion in fellowship advising in a range of forums (social media, conferences, academic journals, etc.)
Fellowships Advising Programming & Events (15%)
Organizes scholarship endorsement interviews.
Schedules mock interviews and coordinates events.
Host and/or assist in delivering workshops for the Center for Student Success (SFP, FLI Network, Hop-In, JUMP, SCAA) and campus partners.
Plans and executes celebrations for fellowships applicants and recipients.
Fellowships Advising data management, assessment, and reporting (10%)
Strategizes with Associate Director on effective ways to collect, present, and assess SFP data.
Collaborates with the Office of Assessment and Analysis to prepare ad-hoc and annual reports of services.
Prepares and updates regular reporting on fellowships’ outcomes (quantitative and qualitative).
Tracks closely FLI student engagement in fellowships’ applications processes from initial contact and throughout the application process. Develops assessment and reporting on FLI student satisfaction, academic belonging, and confidence from participating in programming in the National Fellowships Program.
Special Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities
Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated experience working directly with first-generation, limited income, and underserved students.
Demonstrated experience in establishing collaborative partnerships across the institution and particularly with faculty and academic departments and programs.
Knowledge of 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.
Must be available and willing to work some evenings / weekends as required for events and programming.
Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally.
Knowledge of a wide variety of different academic fields and of research practices specific to different academic fields.
Knowledge of strategic planning, counseling and research needed to support students within historically underserved populations is essential.
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 related experience required. Related experience may include experience advising students about national fellowships; experience teaching at the college level; experience advising undergraduates, either academic or career.
Preferred Qualifications
- Terminal Degree preferred.
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.