Office of the President Staff Fellow Program

The Office of the President seeks to identify a member of the Supportive Professional Staff or Operating Staff interested in serving a year-long professional develop fellowship. The Office of the President Staff Fellow will be assigned special projects needed to carry out the functions of the Office of the President and will be afforded professional development opportunities. The fellow will be appointed for the 2024 calendar year and will report to the university’s chief strategy officer.  Although the position is considered full-time in the president’s office, the fellow may continue to work on select projects in their current position if needed that will be negotiated between the chief strategy officer and the fellow’s supervisor. 

Fellowship Goals

• Expose the fellow to multiple facets of university leadership, administration and governance
• Assist in the development of specific projects and/or university initiatives
• Afford the fellow professional development opportunities that will assist them in their current role and better position the fellow for future roles
• Develop a leadership pipeline at the university

Qualifications

Any full-time supportive professional staff, supportive professional staff without rank or operating staff with at least three years of leadership (e.g., supervisor, shared governance) responsibilities at NIU can be considered to serve as the fellow.

Other qualifications include:

• Understanding of the university vision, mission and values, strategic action planning framework and the university goals
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently on high-level initiatives as well as to work effectively as part of a team
• Excellent written and oral communication
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours

Fellowship Conditions

This fellowship could require work outside of normal business hours. All applicants must receive permission from their supervisors to apply for the fellowship.

The fellow will receive a $75,000 salary or their current salary, whichever is higher. The salary and all benefits will be paid for by the Office of the President. The unit from which the fellow is selected will retain the fellow’s salary in its budget to help manage the employee’s duties during the fellowship period.

Responsibilities

The fellow will participate in the full range of activities of the Office of the President. Projects will include:

• Leadership and coordination of university-level initiatives
• Assist in the development of shared leadership initiatives
• Help plan and facilitate the Staff Professional Development Academy
• Participation in, and support of, presidential events as needed
• Other leadership opportunities, project management and duties as assigned

Application Requirements

To apply for the Office of the President Staff Fellow Program, please submit a résumé, cover email describing your interest in the position and a letter of support from your supervisor to ccoppel@niu.edu no later than Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. If you would like more information, please contact Jessica Nunez at jtotz1@niu.edu.