We are searching for a new Executive Director for the Fisk-Vanderbilt Master's-to-PhD Bridge Program (FVBP). Since its creation in 2004, the FVBP works to identify and foster underrepresented minority (URM) talent at the PhD level in Materials Science, Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, and Biomedical Science. After 18 years, 176 students have enrolled in the program, 126 Master's degrees have been awarded, 112 students have bridged to PhD programs, and 53 students have earned the PhD, 41 of those from Vanderbilt.  Today, 30 students are in a Vanderbilt PhD program, while 25 are in a Fisk Master's program. 57% of the students are African-American, 22% Hispanic, 7% other minorities, including Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, and 14% white or other non-minority. 60% identify as female. Overwhelmingly, the student population has been underserved in intersecting ways, with many being first-generation college students, of low socioeconomic status, and/or with disabilities.

The Executive Director is responsible for the day to day operations of the FVBP. They will report to the Fisk and Vanderbilt Co-Directors and will work with an Assistant Director and Program Coordinator and will spend time at both Fisk University and Vanderbilt University  located about 2 miles apart in Nashville, TN. The candidate will have mentoring, administrative, recruiting, instruction, evaluation, and dissemination responsibilities, and is expected to participate in writing proposals for external funding. Along with the team of directors, they help develop and implement long term strategies, goals, objectives, and best practices. They are key in a) supervising, coordinating, and evaluating program activities; b) tracking the budget allocation; and c) mentoring and formally tracking student career paths within an innovative holistic and high-touch mentoring model.

Note that this is a Research Assistant Professor faculty appointment, giving the candidate opportunity to conduct their own research, submit grants, teach courses and serve as graduate and/or undergraduate thesis advisors as desired; the time allotted to research is negotiable.

Evidence of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, through lived experience and/or prior successful DEI work is paramount. If you're interested, please send a resume or CV, a list of three references, and a cover letter describing your interest and experience to Kelly Holley-Bockelmann (k.holley@vanderbilt.edu). Please write "FVBP Executive Director" in the email subject line. Below, we list job requirements and desirable experience, but if you're interested and hesitate to apply because you think you don't meet all the requirements, please contact Kelly Holley-Bockelmann (k.holley@vanderbilt.edu) and we'll talk it over.

Desirable Experience

Research experience post-PhD

Formal mentor training

Familiarity with Social Science literature

Conditions

This position may require working a flexible schedule on occasion (with advance notice).

Applications will be accepted immediately and will be evaluated on a rolling basis. Start date is flexible and the minimum base salary will be $75,000, with higher salaries considered commensurate with experience.

Benefits: relocation allowance, health, vision, dental care, retirement.