Executive Director of the Scott Scholars Program

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: 21 days ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 15 Apr 2024

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Executive Director of the Scott Scholars Program
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position No
Posting Number 202400474AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Management II
Number of Vacancies 1
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $175,000-200,000
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion , and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in !
Desired Start Date 06/01/2024
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/15/2024
Description of Work Unit
Colorado State University (CSU) is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than 9 out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.
The Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering (WSCOE) at Colorado State University consists of about 3,400 students enrolled in BS, MS, and PhD programs, 145 tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty, and over 400 support staff and research scientists. The goal of WSCOE is to serve society by educating students, solving problems of global importance, and contributing to national and international economic development. The WSCOE’s goals are high, and the WSCOE vision is clear; i.e., to create a better world for future generations.
The Engineering Success Center (ESC) is housed within the Dean’s Office in the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering (WSCOE) at Colorado State University. The ESC provides support and resources to current and prospective engineering students. This unit is responsible for undergraduate recruiting and outreach efforts, retention initiatives, academic advising for undeclared engineering students, diversity and access initiatives, career support services, scholarship administration, the Engineering Residential Learning Community, and the coordination of College of Engineering events (e.g., Commencement). The ESC is the first point of contact for many of our incoming students and their families. The day-to-day operations of the ESC are led by the Director of the Engineering Success Center. The Center is composed of employees specializing in the different functions performed by the Center who work collaboratively to support student success.
The Scott Scholars Program resides in the Engineering Success Center (ESC) which is managed by the Director of the Engineering Success Center. The Director of the Scott Scholars Program collaborates closely with members of the ESC team to recruit and support the Scott Scholars.
Position Summary
Colorado State University seeks an outstanding person to serve as the Executive Director of the Scott Scholars Program. Reporting to the Dean of the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering, the Executive Director leads a unique learning community of high achieving undergraduate engineering students with the goal of developing creative and technically strong leaders who will solve the grand challenges of today and the future.
About the Program
Established in 2017, the Scott Scholars Program is a community of outstanding undergraduate engineering students who are engaged in an enriched educational program focused on developing creative and leadership skills. This includes a suite of innovative curricular and co-curricular experiential learning opportunities that range from company-sponsored projects to cutting-edge research to community and civic engagement. The Program is designed to complement and enhance the world-class engineering education that all students receive from Colorado State University.
Scott Scholars are selected from the top high school graduates from Colorado who have been admitted to the College of Engineering at Colorado State University. Each Scholar receives generous and substantial financial support for their entire undergraduate education. The Program currently enrolls 94 students, with plans (and resources) to grow to 130. In addition to creating transformational educational experience for the Scholars, the Program has a broad and positive impact on the entire Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. Its scholarships enable the College to recruit and retain the best students from Colorado, year after year. It also supports the development and deployment of innovative new programs that benefit all students.
The Scott Scholars Program is made possible by the generous support of the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation. Walter Scott, Jr., an alumnus of the College, believed that “Helping young people with their education is one of the finest investments we can possibly make as a society.” He has supported students to attend Colorado State University since 1983.
About the Position
This is an extraordinary opportunity for a dynamic, visionary leader to advance the national reputation of the program, engage alumni and elevate external engagement opportunities while advancing efforts to prepare Scott Scholars and engineering students for productive careers and engaged service as citizens. In its first seven years, the Program has created innovative learning experiences and established strong internal operations. We are looking for an extraordinary individual who will further elevate the Program through expanded engagement with external partners to develop students’ skills in leadership and engineering excellence. We are also seeking someone who will enhance the scholars’ innovation and design thinking skills through closer partnership with the CSU Institute of Entrepreneurship, the local and regional startup ecosystem, and potentially the creation of a living-learning community.
The Executive Director will provide the vision and leadership to create and implement a strategic plan to optimize the academic quality, leadership in education, research, scholarship, and engagement of the Program. They will collaborate with faculty and staff from across the College and will deeply engage with a faculty fellows advisory board and the Dean’s Advisory Board to enhance the Program’s innovative learning program that integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences across the College and in the surrounding communities. They will also be the lead in developing a new Scott External Advocacy Board specifically focused on developing deeper engagement with top industry partners. A member of the College of Engineering leadership team, the Executive Director must be a strategic thinker, adept at building partnerships within a diverse community, knowledgeable in higher education issues, collaborative in developing team-focused, data-driven approaches to problem solving, and possess strong people skills. The successful candidate will be expected to embrace and contribute to Colorado State’s land-grant mission and core values. This is a twelve-month appointment; the Executive Director supervises two additional staff members.
Required Job Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in STEM or business-related field from an accredited institution.
  • A combined 15 years of professional experience; with at least 10 years of experience in industry (technical, program management, or equivalent roles) and 3 years (or equivalent) in higher education (partnering with students, faculty, and staff on education, research, and/or external partnerships).
  • Demonstrated experience to create and implement a strategy and vision to advance a program and produce results.
  • Evidence of developing and sustaining external partnerships to advance a program strategy and vision.
  • Evidence of recruitment and retention of a diverse staff, as well as teambuilding, supervision, and professional development.
  • Evidence of strong interpersonal and communications skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues across complex organizations.
  • Administrative personnel and budgetary experience.
  • Experience working with and advocating for diverse populations.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Graduate degree in a related field or commensurate experience in industry and/or government.
  • Experience working with high-achieving, college students.
  • Experience working at and/or with R-1 universities.
Diversity Statement
Personal or professional commitment to diversity and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Leadership and Mentoring
Duty/Responsibility
  • Lead the Scott Scholars Program at Colorado State University, elevating its profile and impact.
  • Oversee the development and administration of a Scott Scholar-specific curriculum that helps students achieve academic success, become career professionals, responsible citizens, and life-long learners. Advise and mentor students.
  • Collaborate closely with faculty and staff from across the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering to develop and implement an innovative learning agenda that integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences across the entire College.
  • Oversee the development and administration of the Scott Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) program.
  • In partnership with the college’s Advancement team, support alumni engagement by developing the Scott Scholars Alumni network, including establishing and managing alumni and peer mentoring programs to support Scott Scholars and other engineering students.
  • Oversee a comprehensive recruiting program for prospective Scott Scholars. This effort compliments and is in collaboration with the College of Engineering Undergraduate Recruitment Coordinator and CSU Admissions.
  • Exhibit and advance CSU Principles of Community and the values of the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation.
Percentage Of Time 50
Job Duty Category Strategic Management
Duty/Responsibility
  • Cultivate and engage with external and industry partners to create a broad suite of world-class academic and internship experiences for students to further develop their leadership and engineering skills.
  • Support integration of real-world projects from industry, government, and non-profit organizations into academic programs, courses, research and co-curricular activities.
  • Manage the Scott Scholars Program budget. Ensure that all University budget policies and procedures are followed.
  • Evaluate the Program regularly and evolve strategy to keep up with the rapidly changing needs of industry and ensure we develop strong leaders with up-to-date knowledge and skills.
  • In close partnership with the Dean, serve as a liaison with the Suzanne & Walter Scott Foundation to advance the Scott Scholars Program, including preparing and presenting regular reports on student and program performance. Collaborate with Scott Scholars Programs at other universities.
Percentage Of Time 50

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
To apply for this position, please submit a resume or CV, cover letter outlining the minimum and preferred qualifications, and a list of three profession references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Kelli Davison, [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

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