The Office of the Provost requests applications for the Special Advisor Program, which provides an immersive leadership development opportunity for faculty interested in academic administration and service to the Penn community. Selected faculty members will spend one year embedded in a unit of the Provost’s Office, contributing to strategic projects while gaining exposure to academic decision-making, program design, and cross-unit collaboration. 

This program advances Penn’s strategic commitment to fostering leadership, service, and institutional stewardship by offering experiential learning for faculty members who demonstrate strong leadership potential and an interest in administrative roles. Special advisors will engage directly with senior leaders, participate in key meetings, take on unit-specific initiatives, and broaden their understanding of University operations and strategy. 

• Selected faculty will: 
• Contribute to strategic projects that enhance programs, policies, or operations in the Provost’s Office 
• Strengthen leadership capacity through mentorship, guided learning, and hands-on administrative experience 
• Advance Penn’s goals related to faculty excellence, innovation, and leadership development 

Qualifications 

Advanced associate professors or full professors in the standing faculty are eligible to apply. Applicants must demonstrate leadership engagement and potential, as well as support from their department chair and/or dean. 

Request for Applications

Applications are due by Wednesday, February 25, 2026. 

See the complete call for applications for more information. Please direct questions to Kristen Barnes at kabarnes@upenn.edu.