Assistant Dean, Competitive Fellowships

Job Summary

The Assistant Dean will identify, recruit, and develop FGCU students who are competitive candidates for awards such as the Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, Boren, Gilman, Udall, CLS, and the like. This office serves the entire FGCU student population and reports to the Dean of the Honors College. The Assistant Dean will maintain and develop new processes, strategies, and partnerships to support competitive scholarship and fellowship efforts and raise awareness of these opportunities with key campus constituencies.

Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive working and learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of the campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview.

At FGCU, we collectively stand against any individual or group that practices any form of racism, discrimination, intolerance, hate expressions, or disrespect. We are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, religious beliefs, abilities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, family statuses, and military backgrounds. FGCU strives to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our University stronger. The University community recognizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive institution and holds these ideals as paramount for the current and future success of the institution.

We seek colleagues who promote and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position as we believe that our University will grow and move forward through a commitment of equality for all.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Identifies, recruits, and develops students who are competitive candidates for awards such as the Fulbright, Goldwater, Truman, Boren, Gilman, and Udall.
• Responsible for the strategic alignment, long-term planning, and management oversight of a program/department/unit.
• Translates strategic and tactical business plans into student operational plans. Has latitude to make operational decisions within broadly defined parameters and decision requires a high level of judgement. Deviations from university policies generally requires higher managerial approval.
• Establishes the direction, goals, implementation strategy and policies of the department or unit within an administrative area.
• Innovates new processes, strategies, and partnerships to support competitive fellowship efforts.
• Manages the recruitment, screening, and internal application processes for the major scholarship cycles.
• Provides intensive hands-on advising to applicants, ensuring that they have every opportunity to develop high-quality applications.
• Promotes awareness of major scholarships and fellowships opportunities among students and faculty.
• Develops and executes outreach programs for students.
• Builds a successful communication strategy utilizing an effective web presence, social media and others forms of digital outreach.
• Participates in professional development by attending and presenting at national meetings and trainings specific to relevant scholarship and fellowship programs.
• Leads “Fellowship Fridays” with students participating in or interested in the application process.
• Responsible for ensuring the all programs, activities, and series comply with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Teaches one three-hour course for the Honors College per year.

Other Duties:

• Arrange for and participate in mock interviews for finalists.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Six years of demonstrated professional, full-time experience in higher education, including two years working with students on competitive fellowship and research opportunities.
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.
• Experience with organizing events, facilitating and leading workshops and information sessions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate area of specialization.
• A record of teaching and scholarship sufficient to be hired as a ranked faculty member at FGCU.
• Three years of full-time experience in competitive fellowships advising.
• A record of success in helping students receive competitive fellowships and research awards.
• Experience developing new university initiatives.
• Prior administrative experience in higher education.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of best practices concerning competitive fellowship and research opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships, partnerships, and cross-campus collaborations with academic departments, individual faculty, and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate programs.
• Ability to take initiative to plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations when numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Ability to operate personal computers with proficiency and learn new applications and systems.
• Ability to advise and mentor students on a wide array of competitive external fellowship and research opportunities.
• Ability to collect and strategically use data related to the Office of Competitive Fellowships (OCF’s) functions and student activities.
• Ability to work with university marketing and communications and other offices to publicize and celebrate student success.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse offices and individuals in a complex university setting.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to thrive in an organization that values the diversity of its student body and workforce and actively promotes equity and inclusion.

Special Instructions to Applicants

This position has the ability to be hired as either Administrative & Professional Staff or Out-of-Unit Faculty depending on the candidates qualifications and experience.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

• Unofficial Transcripts
• Statement of Leadership Philosophy
• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Five (5) Professional References

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

The position is listed as “open until filled”, however applications received by October 27, 2022 will receive priority consideration.

FGCU is an EOE AA /F/Vet/Disability Employer.