SVPAA Faculty Fellowship
The Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (SVPAA) invites tenured and long-serving career-line faculty members at the University of Utah to apply for administrative faculty fellowships.
K-12 Engagement Fellowship Program Goals
These fellowships will provide leadership development opportunities for faculty members that allow them to explore administrative roles and acquire skills and knowledge that will better prepare them to serve in academic administration in the future; and assist the SVPAA and/or Vice Provosts with special projects across the academic enterprise. These projects are designed to move the university toward the President’s bold ambition of creating a new model of higher education. In addition to working on mutually identified projects, the fellow will participate as a peer in staff meetings of the Senior Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment and Student Success (SVPSESS).
Overview
The fellow(s) work closely with the SVPSESS Paul Kohn, and/or other senior leaders in the office on initiatives associated with academic administration, policies and procedures, metrics and data-driven decision making, faculty leadership and success, undergraduate and graduate student success, One Utah cross-campus collaborations, and societal impact.
In this case, we are looking for a faculty fellow(s) to explore current outreach efforts from the University into the K-12 space, and outline themes and recommendations related to enhanced effectiveness. We know there is a lot of good work ongoing and these efforts will heighten institutional awareness. Additionally, we seek a conversation about what are the best practices in the arena and what can we learn from those to enhance our efforts.
Here, we seek the development of a white paper by August 15, 2025, through engagement of the following activities including, but not limited to:
- Comparative diagnostics of peer AAU Urban Universities with Health Sciences as well as 4-year degree granting USHE peers.
- Hosting lightening sessions for units across campus to convene and share their practices in the K-12 space;
- Ground-sourcing further insights through interviews with key personnel
- Represent the Office of the SVPAA at campus and community events through Dec 2025
- Facilitate a faculty perspective on administrative issues and processes
Term: This fellow will serve from June 1, 2025-August 15, 2025 (5 pay periods).
Required Qualifications
- A terminal degree in an academic discipline
- Demonstrated record of service to the University of Utah
- Clearly demonstrated high degree of judgment, diplomacy, and confidentiality
- Strong record of scholarship or contributions in their academic discipline
- Experience working with senior level collegiate and central administration (preferred)
Application Materials
- A letter describing interest and experience in the areas of K-12 outreach and how you see this opportunity advancing your career trajectory
- A curriculum vitae
- Names of two references (suggested: one from a current or recent supervisor and one from a colleague)
Timeline
- Review of applications will begin immediately, but to ensure full consideration, submit application materials no later than May 15, 2025.
- The first round of interviews with SVPAA senior staff will be conducted the subsequent week. The Fellowship will begin June 1 or at a mutually agreed-upon date.
- Please send application materials to Ann Holbrook (ann.holbrook@utah.edu).
Past Faculty Fellows
Jim Agutter is an Associate Dean in Undergraduate Studies and associate professor in the College of Architecture + Planning. As a faculty fellow, Agutter played a key role in the Educational Futures Taskforce.
Dr. Danielle Endres, professor in the Department of Communication, worked closely with the SVPAA to document policies and organizational changes related to Academic Affairs, as well as assisting the SVPAA on special projects, such as The Utah Experience, the Exceptional Education Experience, the West Valley and Herriman Campus projects, and other initiatives. Dr. Endres is also an affiliated faculty member with the Environmental Humanities program and joined the U in 2005.
Dr. Claudia Geist, associate dean for research in the School for Cultural and Social Transformation, worked closely with the AVP for Faculty as a liaison with the Faculty Club, running the associate dean luncheon series, and supporting faculty with concerns and complaints, in addition to other assignments. Dr. Geist is also an associate professor in gender studies and sociology, and has served as the director of undergraduate studies in the sociology department.
Dr. Holly Godsey is an associate professor (lecturer) in the Department of Geology and Geophysics and is part of the University’s STEM Education initiative. As a faculty fellow, Holly played a key role in the Educational Futures Taskforce.
Dr. Vana Raman is an Associate Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Utah. She was Division Chief in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, and provides care for children with diabetes and endocrine conditions in the inpatient and outpatient settings at Primary Children’s and University hospitals and clinics. Dr. Raman is a faculty fellow in the Wellbeing and Resilience Initiative.
Dr. Angela Marie Smith is an Associate Professor in Gender Studies (School for Cultural and Social Transformation) and English (College of Humanities). She is also the director of Disability Studies at the University of Utah. Her research focuses on cultural representations of disability in popular and social media, especially in primarily visual media such as movies and TV shows. Angela is a faculty fellow in the Wellbeing and Resilience Initiative.
Dr. Michelle Vo is an Associate Professor (Clinical) of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine and works in the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. She is Senior Director of Student Wellness in the School of Medicine where she leads a multidisciplinary mental health and wellness program for medical students. Dr. Vo is a faculty fellow in the Wellbeing and Resilience Initiative.