DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND SCHOLARSHIP & MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Lee University

  • Full Time
  • Staff
  • Anywhere
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To apply for this job email your details to debmurray@leeuniversity.edu

Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee has an opening for the Director of the Office of University Research and Scholarship and Director of the McNair Scholars Program. This is a twelve-month, full-time position with benefits. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.
The Office of University Research and Scholarship (OURS):
  • Identifies and secures paid and unpaid research opportunities for Lee students
  • Builds discipline specific and interdisciplinary research skills
  • Develops a scholarly community between students and faculty mentors
  • Facilitates access to regional and national academic conferences for faculty and students to disseminate their research.
  • Prepares undergraduate students to apply for and attend graduate school
  • Administers the Lee University Institutional Review Board
  • Implements the McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is a TRIO program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program will serve 25 undergraduate students seeking to earn a doctoral degree who are low-income and first-generation college students.
The Director will oversee day-to-day operations of OURS, which includes the McNair program. Responsibilities include but are not limited to recruiting and supervision of all personnel; leading the participation selection process for scholars; conducting outreach for regional and national scholarship opportunities; providing academic coaching for graduate school bound students; providing training for faculty mentors and students engaging in research; serving as the Chair of Lee’s Institutional Review Board; ensuring that objectives and timelines are met; providing annual reports on McNair outcomes to the Department of Education; overseeing management of program records and finances; directing evaluation activities; providing graduate preparation seminars; conducting the McNair Institute and workshops; and, engaging in human subjects research, McNair, and TRIO professional development. The Director will closely collaborate with Lee University’s LEAP office, a TRIO Student Support Services program, to ensure that all McNair Scholars are prepared for graduate education.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Master’s degree required, doctorate preferred, in counseling, education, higher education, student development, psychology, STEM, humanities, or related discipline.
  • Minimum of three years of experience working with college students in areas of undergraduate research, student access, retention, counseling, graduate school preparation, or teaching experience in research methods and/or college opportunity programs preferred.
In addition:
  • Experience serving low-income and first-generation students
  • Experience in program evaluation is required
  • Experience conducting and presenting research required
  • Mentoring students in research and scholarly presentations preferred
  • Three years budgeting/program management experience required; federal grant, preferred
  • Supervisory experience required; three years personnel management preferred
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with faculty from a broad array of disciplines
  • Demonstrate the ability to provide advice and direction to undergraduate students
  • Experience with ethical research practices is required
  • Ability to organize and execute event planning and goal-setting activities
  • Proficiency with computers and the Microsoft Office Suite
An applicant with a background similar to the participants (students who are low-income, first-generation) is preferred. The Director of the McNair Scholars Program is a grant-funded position and continuation is subject to grant renewal.
Review of applications will begin May 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Lee University is an equal opportunity employer.
Submit a cover letter, resume, names, email addresses, and phone numbers of at least three professional references by email to Dr. Debbie Murray, Provost, [email protected].
 
Application materials may also be mailed to:
Lee University
1120 North Ocoee Street
Cleveland, TN 37311
 
« Back to Job Listings

To apply for this job email your details to debmurray@leeuniversity.edu