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Academic Affairs Faculty Fellows Program 

Student Success Strategy Initiatives 

The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs invites applications for the Academic Affairs Faculty Fellows Program. This program offers faculty an opportunity to contribute to university-level priorities while gaining experience in academic leadership, cross-institutional collaboration, and strategic implementation. Faculty Fellows will work in partnership with academic and administrative leaders on initiatives aligned with UNT’s student success strategy, with a focus on strengthening academic pathways, supporting student progression, and enhancing the overall student experience. 

Fellowship Focus Areas 

Faculty Fellows will be selected to support one of the following strategic initiatives: 

🟢Strengthening Student Success Through Data-Informed Design 

The Faculty Fellow will use institutional data and analytics to support more effective academic design and planning, the evolution of institutional policies, and develop practical resources for colleges. Areas of focus may include analyzing student progression patterns to inform evidence-based readiness indicators and academic milestones; incorporating course demand insights to strengthen scheduling and instructional planning; and advancing alignment between faculty support and student success outcomes. This work will be developed in coordination with college leadership and faculty to ensure relevance across academic areas.  

Successful candidates will bring strong analytical skills and experience using data to inform decision-making, with the ability to translate complex questions into actionable insights that can be applied by academic leaders and faculty. 

🟢First-Year Academic Experience  

This initiative focuses on strengthening the undergraduate academic experience in the first year in coordination with LEEF and VPSS. The Faculty Fellow will engage with colleges to examine alignment across foundational courses, identify opportunities to clarify academic expectations, and promote greater consistency in early academic experiences. The goal is to help students build early momentum and establish a strong foundation for continued success. 

Successful candidates will bring an interest in teaching and learning, early student success, and curriculum design, along with the ability to synthesize input across academic areas, work collaboratively with academic leaders, and translate insights into practical, scalable improvements. 

Role and Responsibilities 

Faculty Fellows will: 

  • Collaborate with faculty, staff, and academic leadership across the university. 
  • Contribute to advancing a university-level initiative within the selected focus area.  
  • Engage with relevant data and help translate insights into practical improvements  
  • Support the development of frameworks, policy, and practices that can be scaled across units.  
  • Participate in regular meetings with project sponsors and campus partners.  
  • Share insights and progress with the Provost’s Office and broader university community. 

Professional Development Opportunity 

The Faculty Fellows Program is designed as a meaningful professional development experience for faculty interested in academic leadership. Fellows will gain exposure to university-level strategy, decision-making processes, and cross-functional collaboration. 

The program aligns with UNT’s broader faculty leadership development efforts and provides opportunities to build skills in areas such as systems thinking, change management, and data-informed decision-making. Faculty interested in expanding their leadership experience are encouraged to learn more about UNT’s faculty development offerings through the Faculty Success leadership programs.

Eligibility 

The program is open to full-time faculty, including tenured, tenure-track, clinical, and principal lecturer faculty, as well as librarians. Applicants should demonstrate: 

  • Interest in academic leadership and institutional strategy  
  • Experience collaborating across departments or units  
  • Strong communication and facilitation skills  
  • Ability to engage with and apply data to inform decision-making  

Appointment and Support 

Faculty Fellows will be appointed for the academic year. Departments will receive support for a one-course release per semester (up to established funding limits). 

Fellows will work in close partnership with a Provost’s Office sponsor and will have opportunities to engage with university leadership and cross-functional teams. 

Application Process 

The competitive selection process will be based on a record of professionalism, leadership, expertise, and expressed interest in one of the two strategic project focuses: 

🟢Strengthening Student Success Through Data-Informed Design 

🟢First-Year Academic Experience 

1-2 page nomination letter and the nominee’s curriculum vitae to Brandee Hartley (Brandee.Hartley@unt.edu) by Monday, April 27, 2025. A provost office review committee will determine the selection and notify awardees by May 8, 2025. 

Should you have questions, please contact Vice Provost for Student Success, Lisa McIntyre (Lisa.McIntyre@unt.edu).