Program Associate

ABOUT US

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

THE ASPEN-KERN PROGRAM FOR LEADERSHIP AND CHARACTER IN HIGHER EDUCATION

A collaboration of the Aspen Institute and the Kern Family Foundation, this program supports and emboldens new college presidents (in their first to third years) to embed and expand the non-technical elements of undergraduate education—liberal education directed toward character formation for democratic citizenship and greater human flourishing. In addition to providing character-based leadership development, the fellowship fosters a greater understanding of the relationship between character and the purpose of education, a refined vocabulary for communicating the importance of character education, concrete support for applying and integrating insights into college life, and a cohort (and network) of mutual support and accountability to last a lifetime.

The Program builds and connects a national cadre of servant leaders committed to undergraduate character education for democratic citizenship and greater human flourishing; fosters a commitment to character education as a criterion for selection of college presidents; provides tangible support for the “how to” of leading an institution, incorporating character and flourishing in ways that are transformative for learners and teachers alike; disseminates existing and support current research on character education; and provides national (and global) thought leadership about the role of character education in human flourishing. The Program selects 20 new presidents representing varied geographies and institutional types each year. Fellows will attend 4 seminars over 2 years (with options for additional seminar participation), will have access to a cadre of coaches, educational and practical resources, and institution-focused seminars, as well as fellowship-specific and broader Aspen networking opportunities. The program looks to build a network of 80 new presidents over five years, with possibilities of expansion beyond that span of time.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

As part of the Program’s team, the Program Associate will work alongside the Executive Director and other team members to provide key support for the Program. This position synthesizes three distinct but interrelated responsibilities: 1) coordination and delivery of activities and events, including in-person seminars and virtual offerings; 2) researching current and prospective Fellows, resources, and developments in the field of higher education while managing information flow and supporting internal and external communications; and 3) assisting with the administrative and financial oversight of the Program.

At our seminars, the Program Associate is the main administrative contact on the ground, handling all pre-seminar logistics, overseeing the day-to-day on-site activities of each seminar, and finalizing all pre- and post-seminar administrative and financial duties. Because the position demands considerable phone, email, and face-to-face assistance directly to Fellows and their staff, the Program Associate must possess excellent customer service as well as the ability to exercise discretion, judgment, and a calm demeanor in occasional high-pressure situations. This position requires first-rate organizational skills, attention to detail, a positive attitude, and a passion for the Program’s mission of developing humanistic leaders for a better society.