Director of Fellowships

Job Description Department : DavisConnects Pay Rate Type : Salary Employee Type : Job Summary : In this inaugural role, the Director will design, launch and lead Colby’s Fellowships Office, which will prepare students to compete for nationally and internationally competitive fellowships, and access DavisConnects’ Global Experience Funds to support transformative research, internship, and other opportunities. Supported by an Associate Director and administrative assistant, the Director will guide students and graduates through the exploration, discernment, application, nomination, interview, and decision processes while facilitating programmatic, relational and marketing initiatives that generate ongoing awareness about the many domestic and global fellowships Colby students and alumni may pursue.

Essential Functions

To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess education / experience, employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned.

Mentoring and Advising

Advise students and graduates about the range of nationally and internationally competitive fellowships (e.g. Truman, Fulbright, Udall, DAAD Rise, etc.) they could pursue while mentoring them in planning and pursuing the curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular experiences to help them become competitive candidates for those fellowships.

Together with the Director of Global Experience Funding, guide students in discerning and applying for DavisConnects’ Global Experience funds that underwrite transformative experiences that meaningfully advance their personal and professional goals.

Guide students and graduates through the fellowship application process, including, without limitation, providing feedback on the content and substance of their scholarship applications, biographical forms and essays, and interview preparation and performance.

Collaborate with faculty, including those responsible for national fellowship programs, as well as the Director of Global Experience Funding and DavisConnects’ advisors in cultivating a culture of fellowships awareness and preparation, and implementing effective and accessible student advisement and support initiatives.

Program Development and Delivery

Develop and deliver programs which support students in exploring and defining their fellowship interests, writing grant proposals, research statements, personal statements, etc.

Develop and maintain relationships with external funding agencies and foundations, and relevant professional associations, to deliver programs and resources that prepare students and graduates to compete for fellowships,

Communications, Marketing, and Writing

Develop and oversee strategic outreach, collaborative programs, and outreach campaigns that generate awareness among students about the range of fellowships students can pursue and the nature and scope of the Director’s services. Regularly assess the efficacy and impact of marketing and awareness initiatives, adjusting them as necessary in collaboration with campus and external partners.

In partnership with the Office of Communications and other stakeholders, publicize the impact and outcome of the Fellowships Office and the Director’s collaborative efforts.

Write and procure institutional endorsement letters in collaboration with campus colleagues.

Mentor and support the efforts of and provide feedback to letters of recommendation writers as needed.

Represent Colby at meetings of regional and national conferences, professional associations such as the National Association for Fellowship Advisors, peer institutions, and on site visits as applicable, remaining current on best practices in the field of fellowships advising.

Operations and Administration

Coordinate and manage the cross-functional fellowships committees and working groups, including enlisting them in vetting drafts of statements, participating in mock interviews and other forms of support.

Attend division, department, and team meetings, and serve on College committees and working groups as appropriate and needed.

Manage case files and other essential records, including the collection and reporting of data pertaining to the outcomes of fellowship applications.

Position Qualifications

Education and / or experience :

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in international education, higher education administration, a relevant academic field, or another relevant field plus experience with academic, career, mentoring and / or off-campus study advising in a college or university setting.

Experience teaching writing, or editing personal statements, scholarship essays and / or applications to graduate and professional programs.

Ability to recognize strengths and clarify the interests and values of liberal arts students while assisting them in making informed decisions about their fellowship paths through and beyond Colby.

Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Experience creating partnerships with and working effectively with broad constituencies, including students, faculty, alumni, parents, employers, national and international fellowship providers, and funding agencies.

Experience with database systems and at least an intermediate level of proficiency with Google / Microsoft Office Suites.

Demonstrated familiarity with program development and assessment.

Strong organizational skills with attentiveness to detail related to managing multiple tasks and competing priorities under deadlines.

Independent, flexible, and positive approach to work.

A valid driver’s license is required and must meet Colby’s Fleet Safety Policy requirements.

Preferred Qualifications :

Previous fellowships advising experience (e.g., Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater, etc.) and / or grant / proposal writing strongly preferred.

Physical / Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and / or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees and past employees with regard to the same.

The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required.

There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations.

While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities.

There may be multiple / daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and / or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor.

An employee may occasionally lift and / or move up to 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds.

To Apply :

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application.