Job Summary
Reporting to the Associate Director of New Student Programs and Transition Programming, the Assistant Director is responsible for the design and implementation of two mentoring programs: the University Mentorship and Transfer Connections programs. Responsibilities include providing overall leadership and direction, supervision of program staff, managing program budget, and general program operations.
University Mentorship
Founded in 1991, the University Mentorship Program is a non-residential learning community that is designed to help first-year students become acclimated to campus life and broaden access to all that Michigan has to offer. The program matches groups of first-year students with a peer mentor and a faculty or staff mentor. There are approximately 400 mentees, 35 peer mentors, and 4 faculty or staff mentors in this program, which is focused on the fall term.
Transfer Connections
Created in 2007, Transfer Connections provides an opportunity for new transfer students to connect with peer mentors, who are former transfer students, in order to ease the transition from their former college or university into the University of Michigan. Transfer Connections helps to make the University a smaller place, provides support and guidance, and helps students build relationships on campus. Transfer Connections Groups are made up of 14-15 Mentees (new transfer students) that share a peer mentor and a faculty/staff mentor. There are approximately 360 student participants and 15 transfer peer mentors who participate in the program each year.
Who We Are
The University of Michigan is a premier public research university with more than 52,850 students, including 34,454 undergraduates, and is firmly committed to serving the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic value. U-M is in high demand, with a record of 105,142 undergraduate first-year and transfer applicants in fall 2024 and 8,850 incoming undergraduate students enrolling.
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Office of Enrollment Management (OEM) manages U-M's enrollment function to efficiently optimize students' experiences throughout their engagement, from prospect to alumni. The division collaborates with campus partners, faculty, and staff in support of the university's mission.
OEM comprises a dedicated team of more than 200 full-time staff members and up to 400 additional student and temporary staff and is structured in five operational units - the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of New Student Programs, the Office of the Registrar, and OEM Administration. OEM strives to provide excellence in access and support to inspiring learners who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Responsibilities*
Direct University Mentorship and Transfer Connections programs; develop training content, assess goals and cultivate campus partnerships (40%):
- Collaborate and coordinate with campus partners to provide support and resources related to student transitional needs, overall success and adjustment to college life.
- Serve as lead for the Mentoring Consortium, a professional network of University of Michigan administrators who lead and direct campus mentoring programs.
- Design training and resource publications for program participants.
- Work in collaboration with OEM Marketing and Communications (Marcomm) to design and manage communications, web content, and online application processes. Structure communication and share relevant information with program participants.
- Track, monitor, assess, and report on program goals, participation, and outcomes.
Provide leadership including daily oversight and management of team members (40%):
- Oversee student staff recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation.
- Supervise one full-time professional and one graduate student (the full-time professional will supervise one additional graduate student).
- Direct staff to provide intentional, well-marketed semester-long programming for participants.
- Help prioritize workload as competing tasks, projects, and processes arise.
Administrative Responsibilities (20%):
- Responsible for the preparation and management of program staffing and operational budgets related to mentorship programming.
- Support other ONSP programming or large scale events during peak times such as Summer Orientation, Welcome week and Veterans week.
- Partner with OEM Marcomm to oversee large scale recruitment projects including social media and print marketing campaigns to attract mentors and mentees.
- Represent the University of Michigan and New Student Programs at Admissions, Orientation and other university-related events.
- Attend and support department-sponsored and university events as needed.
Required Qualifications*
- Bachelor's degree, plus experience in student programming and student services.
- Understanding of student development principles for first year, transfer and adult learners.
- Understanding and familiarity with best practices in serving college students in transition.
- Previous experience in supervising graduate and/or undergraduate student staff
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with various partners and teams.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with an emphasis in public speaking; ability to represent the program to internal and external constituencies. Ability to interact effectively with current students, staff, faculty and incoming students and parents.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google collaboration tools.
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Desired Qualifications*
- Master's degree, preferably in higher education or a related field.
- Previous experience with college mentoring programs and the ability to plan and execute programs and activities.
- Working knowledge of Slate CRM.
Modes of Work
The Office of Enrolment Management requires a hybrid work arrangement of minimally three days on-site and two remote days. Thursdays are required as an on-site work day for all members of the OEM team.
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
Additional Information
Benefits at the University of Michigan
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.