Position Information
Hiring Department: Fellowship and Awards- VPSA
Reports To: Director
Job Location: Onsite, El Paso, TX
Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends
FLSA status: exempt
Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.
Salary: $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Required Application Materials:
Position Summary
The Division of Student Affairs at University of Texas at El Paso seeks an innovative and highly motivated leader to join the Office of Student Fellowships and Awards (OSFA) as the Assistant Director for Fellowships and Awards. The OSFA leads institutional efforts to support undergraduates and graduates pursuing prestigious nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships that fund graduate study and international experiential learning opportunities, including research, teaching, and related academic enrichment experiences.
The Assistant Director provides strategic leadership for fellowship and award initiatives, including student recruitment, advising, programming, and outreach. This position develops and implements comprehensive strategies to identify high-potential applicants, expand access to fellowship opportunities, and strengthen campus-wide pipelines for nationally competitive awards. The Assistant Director collaborates with faculty, academic departments, honors programs, graduate programs, research and leadership units, and student support services to promote student success in competitive fellowship processes.
Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:
Provides strategic leadership in the delivery of individualized and group advising for students exploring nationally competitive fellowships.
Leads the planning, development, and execution of engagement events and programs for students pursuing prestigious national fellowships and awards, including Fulbright, NSF GRFP Boot Camps, and other competitive external awards. Develops and delivers instructional programming aimed at strengthening student competitiveness and success in national fellowship applications.
Provides recruitment, outreach, and coordination for University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) fellowships and University of Texas System UT System fellowships, including the Hawkins Scholarship and the Archer Fellowship.
Oversees the assessment and analysis of student engagement within the Office of Student Fellowships and Awards (OSFA), utilizing the Anthology platform (Baseline, Engage, and Insights) to evaluate program effectiveness, inform strategic planning, and guide continuous improvement.
Provides direct supervision, training, and evaluation of undergraduate and graduate student assistants supporting OSFA programming, including regular staff meetings, individual coaching sessions, and performance feedback to support student development and operational excellence.
Directs marketing and communications strategy for OSFA programs and services, including oversight of branding, design, digital outreach, signage, and promotional materials to increase visibility, engagement, and participation in fellowship opportunities.
Ensures appropriate handling of sensitive student and institutional information in accordance with university policies, ethical standards, and applicable regulations, including FERPA compliance.
Serves as a representative of the Office of Student Fellowships and Awards on division and campus-wide committees and contributes to strategic initiatives advancing student success, experiential learning, and nationally competitive awards attainment.
Represents the OSFA at institutional, regional, and national conferences, professional meetings, and training opportunities; some travel may be required.
Complies with all State of Texas and University policies, procedures, and regulations.
Performs other duties as assigned in support of the strategic mission and goals of the Office of Student Fellowships and Awards.
Supervisory Responsibilities Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations objectives, policies and applicable laws.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, liberal arts, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
and
Experience: At least three years of professional experience in higher education such as student advising, scholarship/fellowship administration, academic support programs, student success programming; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Education: Masters degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling, liberal arts, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated success advising students from diverse backgrounds through nationally competitive scholarships and fellowship selection
processes.
Experience developing partnerships across academic departments, student affairs units, or external organizations.
Experience in program development, outreach, or student recruitment initiatives.
Experience developing or supporting outreach communications, including use of social media platforms for student engagement and program promotion.
Experience applying for nationally competitive awards.
Experience in international academic experiences such as study abroad, academic exchange, or immersive global programs.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to foster an environment of respect, professionalism, collaboration, and civility among faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Comfortable presenting to small and large groups.
Experience working with or supporting students in an advising, coaching, or mentoring capacity, including providing constructive feedback on written application materials.
Experience advising students through nationally competitive scholarships and fellowship programs such as Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater, Rhodes, Marshall, NSF GRFP, or similar awards.
Why Pick UTEP
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.
UTEP is America's leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.
This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan. Built around the institution's core strengths-its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships-the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University's regional impact and national stature.
About the Department
The Office of Student Fellowships and Awards helps UTEP students and recent alumni identify prestigious, nationally competitive, funding opportunities and provides support as they prepare their application materials. Nationally competitive awards are more than just money-they are transformative experiences that give you a competitive edge for graduate school and your future career.
Miner Perks and Benefits
What UTEP Offers:
Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.
Additional Information
Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents' performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents' immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver's license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the positions essential functions.
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand and walk. The employee must regularly sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must lift and move up to 50 pounds.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.
In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.
For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEPs Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.