Distinguished Scholarships Manager

Department:

Undergraduate Education Student Success

Appointment Type and Duration:

Regular, Ongoing

Salary:

$60,000 - $70,000 per year

Compensation Band:

OS-OA06-Fiscal Year 2025-2026

FTE:

1.0

Application Review Begins:

September 11, 2025; Position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To ensure consideration, a complete application must include: 1. A current resume/CV. 2. A cover letter demonstrating how your skills and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position. 3. Three (3) professional references with contact information. References will not be contacted until you are notified.

Department Summary:

The Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success (UESS) stewards the undergraduate culture of inquiry at the heart of a leading residential research university. UESS promotes academic excellence and engagement, access, and success. We support the coherence, relevance, and impact of our students' educational journeys. UESS programs touch on every step of the student success journey, from our pre-college program and early campus engagement to graduation and career readiness.

Through its programs and services, the allied offices of Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships (URDS) help students from all majors, schools, and colleges explore and engage the full benefits and opportunities of the public research university from undergraduate research and creative work experiences to nationally competitive scholarships and fellowship to career building internships. URDS supports students with exploring their interests, fostering a mentorship network with peers, faculty, alumni, and community partners; developing critical thinking skills; and preparing for postgraduate career pathways and advanced studies.

The Office of Distinguished Scholarships (ODS) delivers centralized and comprehensive advising and mentorship to current students and recent alumni exploring and pursuing highly competitive national and international awards and fellowships. ODS manages the annual institutional timeline and process for distinguished scholarships applications and endorsements, convenes internal review committees for awards requiring institutional endorsements, and serves as the institutional representative for a wide variety of awards.

ODS fosters a robust distinguished scholarships alumni and faculty community for networking, advising, and mentorship purposes. This community supports students in achieving their academic and professional goals through networking events, mock interviews, advising workshops, and individualized coaching. The Center for Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) serves as a primary centralized office for general undergraduate research and creative work promotion, outreach, advising, referrals, assessment, funding, and mentorship to students and faculty from all the UO's schools and colleges.

CURE oversees the comprehensive integration of undergraduate research and distinguished scholarships resources into recruitment, admissions, and orientation events and programs, as well as the first-year experience, undergraduate curriculum, and alumni, donor, and civic partnerships.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the UESS Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships (AVPURDS), the Distinguished Scholarships Manager implements the mission of the Undergraduate Research and Distinguished Scholarships (URDS) allied offices by managing the Office of Distinguished Scholarships and co-leading University-wide strategies and programs to promote experiential learning opportunities in academic research and creative work, and distinguished scholarships and fellowships for undergraduates and recent alumni. The core functions and outcomes of the position align with Oregon Rising goals of Enhancing Pathways to Timely Graduation, Becoming a Leader in Career Preparation, and Creating a Flourishing Community.

In this role, the Distinguished Scholarships Manager serves as a primary advisor and mentor for current students and recent alumni pursuing nationally and internationally competitive awards. The Distinguished Scholarships Manager delivers individualized coaching, specialized advising, and for-credit instruction that prepares candidates for scholarship success and long-term academic and professional growth. They lead core Office of Distinguished Scholarships (ODS) programming, including multi-year advising pipelines, institutional endorsement processes, and cross-campus outreach initiatives. The Distinguished Scholarships Manager also cultivates and sustains strategic partnerships with faculty, staff, alumni, and national/international foundations, while representing the University in national networks and professional communities. Through innovative programming, collaborative teaching, and inclusive advising, this position plays a key role in elevating the university's distinguished scholarship profile and in fostering a culture of academic excellence, leadership, and public service.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master's degree or equivalent combination of experience and skills.
• Five years of progressively responsible professional experience with advising, mentoring, and coaching distinguished and nationally competitive scholarships and fellowships.
• Five years of instructional experience at the undergraduate level.

Professional Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in team settings.
• Proven ability to cultivate relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community or institutional partners.
• Excellent written, verbal, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to communicate in multiple languages.
• Strong leadership abilities.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
• Knowledge of organizational structures, policies, and operational procedures within higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated understanding of issues and challenges faced by diverse groups.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative information using the information to make data informed decisions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five years of experience working for or collaborating with distinguished scholarship foundations and their representatives.
• Five years of experience working for or engaging with distinguished scholarship alumni and/or alumni networks or groups.
• Five years of advising experience specifically focused on Gates Cambridge, Marshall, Mitchell, and Rhodes scholarships.
• Five years of experience working for or collaborating with government agencies, diplomatic missions, embassies, or non-profit organizations focused on international affairs or foreign service.
• Experience studying or working at UK higher education institutions or graduate programs.
• Familiarity with the University of Oregon's academic departments, programs, and administrative landscape.
• Master's degree in a liberal arts or sciences discipline.