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University Innovation Alliance Fellowship Program

Editor's note: the inaugural recruitment for University Innovation Alliance Fellows occurred in 2014. If you are interested in applying for the UIA Fellowship Program, please continue to watch the UIA blog & social media feeds for fellowship recruitment opportunities as they post at our campuses. You can also visit the partner employment websites of our UIA campuses for opportunities related to the UIA and student success.

Introduction

The University Innovation Alliance (UIA) is a national consortium of large public research universities working together to improve outcomes for all students regardless of their socioeconomic status. The UIA is designed, organized, and led by our 11 member institutions’ presidents and chancellors. Together, we draw from every region in the country and span the spectrum of U. S. public research universities, from emergent institutions to land grant universities and state flagships. The UIA’s primary objective is to improve student outcomes by acting as an innovation cluster that develops and tests new initiatives, shares data, and scales best practices across the Alliance and beyond. We take a new approach to meet the future needs of our nation by working together and sharing our best practices for student outcomes.

UIA Fellowship Program Interview

The University Innovation Alliance Fellowship is a full-time, paid 12-month university leadership development program that places top-tier early-career professionals with Alliance member institutions. Fellows engage in critical work to support member institutions to identify new solutions, scale proven innovations, and communicate and diffuse outcomes – ultimately helping more students have access to and graduate with a high quality, affordable bachelor’s degree. The Fellowship provides a collaborative, fast-paced, and challenging experience coupled with training in cutting edge transferable skills, such as Design Thinking, and pressing issues in higher education. As a Fellow, you will gain the unique networking opportunities of some of the most innovative public institutions nationwide to support your launch into a high-level university leadership career.

Who We Look For

UIA Fellows come with a variety of diverse professional and educational backgrounds. What they have in common is a passion to use their skills to solve the most pressing public higher education problem facing our nation today – educational attainment and the economic prospects of all students regardless of socioeconomic background.

What You'll Do

UIA Fellows will have the opportunity to gain full-time experience supporting and high-yield projects that are impactful to their member institution, and critical to the scaling mission of the Alliance. You will work on a manageable scope of work under the supervision of an experienced higher education leader. You will be charged to complete a project that enhances institutional capacity based on the needs of your Alliance member. Fellows may engage in such work as policy research, assessment, memo and proposal writing, and program enrichment analysis. The ideal candidate will work well under conditions of ambiguity and be a self-starter to expand projects and integrate into a new culture.

Member Institutions and Placements

Each member institution has distinct needs based on how their exemplary program(s) positively affect educational access and student outcomes. The UIA will offer candidate profiles to the liaisons at each member institution based on their individually self-identified needs and project scope. UIA Fellow finalists will be selected by an institutional partner for a 12-month period with a salary range of $50,000 - $70,000. Placed Fellows may have the option to extend placement up to three years based on their institutional member’s project completion goals. 

UIA institutions are:

  • Arizona State University
  • Georgia State University
  • Iowa State University
  • Michigan State University
  • The Ohio State University
  • Oregon State University
  • Purdue University
  • University of California-Riverside
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Texas-Austin

Desired Skills and Experience

Required Qualifications

  • Completed a bachelor’s degree and have at least two years of full-time work experience
  • Are authorized to work in the United States (Applicants must be either a citizen of the United States or be able to maintain work authorization throughout the Fellowship. International students eligible only if visa assistance is not required.)
  • Display outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Commitment to the entire duration of the program and other mandatory training sessions

Preferred Qualifications

  • Completed any graduate degree program
  • At least three years of full-time work experience (3-8 years preferred)
  • Earned a track record of success in academic and professional settings
  • Possess an infectious energy and aptitude to motivate others
  • Make similar connections between divergent people, projects, and goals
  • Embody a professional, mature, and humble presence, especially among senior leaders
  • Able to take initiative and drive results both independently and as part of a team
  • Customarily think outside the box and rapidly iterate to strategically solve problems
  • Have exceptional project management skills and talent to appropriately pivot and adapt
  • Hold an unwavering passion and commitment to transforming public higher education

How To Apply

Use the form below or submit your Cover Letter and CV to theUIA@asu.edu. Include the UIA partner institution(s) of interest in your cover letter. December 17, 2014 is the initial close date. Applications will continue to be accepted and considered every two weeks until the search is closed. Arizona State University is helping facilitate the search, sharing applicant information with campuses designated by each candidate or all UIA campuses, if desired.

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