Assistant Director of Fellowships

Amherst College Amherst, MA Full-time Education

Posted on April 13, 2024

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Assistant Director of Fellowships

Amherst Campus
Full Time
JR4828

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Assistant Director of Fellowships position. The Assistant Director of Fellowships is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $70,000 per year - commensurate with experience. This job is in-person with one day of remote work per week possible. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

The Amherst College Office of Fellowships seeks an experienced advisor of (inter)nationally distinguished fellowships to help recruit and support students and alumni applying to a range of external awards. Advising in the Office of Fellowships focuses on students' intellectual and personal development, offering robust and interactive writing feedback meant to engender deep reflection and expressive competence. This person will also manage the application process and disbursement of internal awards (Amherst College Fellowships) through the Survey Monkey Apply platform and create additional applications in SM for some external fellowships. While the work is largely student-facing, it also includes collaboration with staff and faculty across campus. The ideal candidate will understand the lived experiences of first-generation college and underrepresented students (i.e., limited-income students, students of color, undocumented students, etc.) and/or have experience supporting such students.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Student & Alumni Advising

Conduct individual advising appointments with a diverse group of prospective and current applicants to help them assess their potential as candidates and place fellowships within the context of their goals; advising will regularly be done in person, with Zoom appointments for alumni and abroad students
Take primary responsibility for some fellowships such as Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, Critical Language Scholarship, Udall Scholarship and others to be determined on the basis of academic background, expertise, interests, and needs of the office
Provide intensive feedback on essays and other application materials as well as interview coaching for finalists (both one-on-one and arranging panels as needed

Manage AC Fellowships Application System

Manage the office's Survey Monkey Apply platform for Amherst College Fellowships (internal awards for graduate study & independent training in the arts)
Assist director in conducting information sessions during recruiting season; field inquiries and troubleshoot applicants' difficulties throughout the year
Read and rate renewal applications
Conduct assessment of AC Fellowships process; advise director on potential alternative ways to manage these fellowships
Ensure disbursements reach applicants in a timely fashion

Outreach & Recruiting

Initiate and sustain partnerships with staff running programs that support underrepresented and FLI students (Mellon Mays program, STEM Incubator, Summer Bridge Institute, Meiklejohn Fellows); conduct tailored information sessions
Raise awareness of awards and programming events within college community through email, posters, and regular social media posts; liaise with Office of Communications staff on celebratory posts and articles
Assist the Director of Fellowships in preparation for and conducting of information sessions

Professional Development

Stay on top of new fellowships and current with developments regarding criteria for selection, deadlines, changes within applications
Attend National Association of Fellowship Advisors conference or regional workshop
Take advantage of opportunities to develop facility in Google, Adobe, and other digital tools

Operational Support

Assist director in updating website regularly
Request reimbursements, order supplies, schedule rooms for events

Qualifications:

Required

Master's Degree and 1 to 3 years of related experience or, in lieu of minimum education and related experience, experience as a major fellowship recipient or academic advisor
Commitment to working with a diverse and inclusive community
Excellent writing skills and ability to provide comprehensive essay writing feedback
Experience using online application management systems
Intermediate facility with Excel or Google spreadsheets (use of formulas for financial tracking)
Dynamic and clear verbal communication skills; facility with PowerPoint
Ability to form cordial, respectful, and positive relationships with a diverse set of students, faculty, and staff
Ability to work independently and take initiative by showing leadership in areas of responsibility
Commitment to confidentiality
Strong time management and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail
Must be available to work occasional evenings or weekends for programming

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Assistant-Director-of-Fellowships_JR4828

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