Application Guide
How to Apply for Program Associate, Faculty Institute
at Institute for Citizens & Scholars
🏢 About Institute for Citizens & Scholars
The Institute for Citizens & Scholars uniquely focuses on cultivating civic engagement and democratic participation through higher education, specifically targeting faculty and campus leaders. Their mission-driven approach to strengthening American democracy by equipping young people with civic skills makes this organization stand out for those passionate about education reform and civil society.
About This Role
As Program Associate for the Faculty Institute, you'll be the operational backbone for virtual workshops and learning sessions, managing everything from scheduling to stakeholder communication. This role directly impacts how faculty across the US develop civic education skills, making it crucial for scaling the institute's mission of fostering effective citizenship through higher education.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves coordinating virtual workshop logistics with faculty across different time zones, updating participation dashboards in Airtable, and collaborating with the Program Officer on upcoming session materials. You might facilitate a breakout room during a learning session, respond to campus partner inquiries, and track progress against program metrics to ensure goals are met.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Institute for Citizens & Scholars Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of non-profit program support or university administration experience with direct work involving campus leaders
- Demonstrates proficiency in Airtable and MS Office Suite for data tracking and dashboard management of program metrics
- Possesses exceptional organizational skills with experience managing virtual workshop logistics and multi-stakeholder communications
- Shows genuine interest in higher education civic engagement and can articulate how their background aligns with the institute's mission
📝 Tips for Applying to Institute for Citizens & Scholars
Highlight specific experience with Airtable in your resume, as this is explicitly mentioned in the requirements
Quantify your experience managing virtual workshops - include numbers of participants, sessions managed, or platforms used
Demonstrate your understanding of higher education administration by mentioning specific interactions with faculty or campus partners
Tailor your application to show how your non-profit experience connects to civic education or democracy-building work
Include examples of how you've tracked program metrics and used data visualization tools to inform program improvements
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience working with campus leaders in higher education settings', 'Specific examples of managing virtual workshop logistics from planning through execution', 'How your data management skills (particularly with Airtable) have improved program outcomes', "Your personal alignment with the institute's mission of developing effective citizens through education"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore the institute's existing Faculty Institute program materials and past workshop topics
- → Review their annual reports to understand program impact metrics and strategic priorities
- → Study their network of campus partners and participating institutions
- → Familiarize yourself with current debates in civic education and higher education's role in democracy
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic non-profit experience without connecting it to higher education or civic engagement
- Failing to demonstrate specific experience with virtual workshop management tools and platforms
- Submitting a cover letter that doesn't address the institute's specific mission of developing citizens and strengthening democracy
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Institute for Citizens & Scholars!