Student Development Specialist

Position Summary :

The Fellowships and Scholarships Coordinator will play a pivotal role in advancing the strategic initiative of enhancing and promoting recruitment, retention, and research through the development of The Office of Student Research and Scholarship.

The Fellowships and Scholarships Coordinator’s primary responsibility will be to provide mentorship and connect students with research opportunities that foster meaningful and intentional experiences through high impact practices, creative learning, and scholarship.

The Coordinator is 100% full-time for 12 months. This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule.

Duties & Responsibilities :

• Serve as the primary contact and student success specialist for undergraduate students interested in research and scholarship, including oversight of nationally competitive fellowships processes.
• Provide mentorship and cultivate student development within research and creative activities
• Advertise fellowship opportunities to target populations.
• Conduct information sessions and workshops.
• Assist with consultations on applications for distinguished scholarships and fellowships such as the, Goldwater, Truman, Gilman, Fulbright, etc.
• Provide guidance in the drafting of candidate materials (e.g., personal and project statement)
• Review candidate materials and provide detailed feedback, and offer ongoing support to students in their effort to see application through to submission
• Orient and train faculty and staff evaluators
• Manage campus interview and nomination processes for select fellowships and prepare background material and reports for faculty advisory committees
• Communicate with college liaisons and remain current on existing fellowship & scholarship opportunities by attending and presenting at foundation workshops, trainings, and professional conferences, and identify new opportunities for A-STATE students.
• Leverage data analytics to track and evaluate student progress, engagement, and satisfaction with The Office of Student Research and Scholarship with a focus on best practices to improve the student experience continuously.
• Maintain detailed record of student meetings, fellowship activities, applications, and awards.
• Assist with the writing of stories, press releases, newsletter, etc. to promote student successes.
• Participate in Student Success events and activities, including but not limited to presenting at New Student Orientation, Honors orientation, etc.
• Other duties as needed

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities :

Strong problem-solving capabilities with exceptional organizational and project management skills

Excellent mentorship and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively across life experiences.

Exceptional written communication skills

Demonstrate a commitment to student success and development

General Days / Hours :

This is a 40-hour per week (Monday-Friday).

Occasional weekend and night responsibilities.

Other :

Please note : all position postings close at 12 : 00 A.M. CDT on the position closing date; in other words, make sure your application is submitted by 11 : 59pm the day before the closing date.

Arkansas State University is a comprehensive, public research institution that is classified as a doctoral university with high research activity (R2).

Research and Technology Transfer supports faculty, students, and staff in pre-award grant proposal development, execution of contracts and agreements for sponsored research and creative endeavors, intellectual property protections for invention and commercialization, and research compliance for the entire university.

Jonesboro is a community of 80,000 people located in Northeast Arkansas, amid the Mississippi Alluvial Plain and Crowley’s Ridge ecoregions.

We are an hour away from Memphis, Tennessee, and the Ozark Highlands. Jonesboro boasts a regional center for quality healthcare, a variety of dining and entertainment options, a low cost of living, and plenty of recreational opportunities.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, detailed resume or CV, and contact information for at least three references. For any questions, feel free to reach out directly to the Director of Student Research, Kari Harris at kharris@astate.

edu. Review of applications will begin immediately after position closing date. Anticipated start date for this position is January 6, 2025.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience in higher education, especially in student services or program development
• Grant writing or other published, professional writing experience
• Master's degree

Minimum Qualifications :

An earned Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education

A minimum of one (1) year of experience in higher education and / or work-related experience in fellowship advising, undergraduate research, service learning, and internships