How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Job Summary
Unit Summary:
Michigan Housing is an actively engaged unit within Student Life Auxiliary Services within the Division of Student Life. M Housing serves approximately 11,500 students; 9,100 undergraduate and 2,400 graduate and professional students and their families. Although first-year students are not required to live on campus; historically 96-98% of all new first-year students choose to live on. Currently, the M Housing portfolio consists of 19 residential facilities that include traditional residence halls, apartments, and other living options located in communities on north and central campuses in Ann Arbor. In partnership with Michigan Dining, there are 9 dining halls and 9 retail operations embedded within the residence halls that serve approximately 4 million meals per year. Beginning Fall 2024, M Housing partnered with other units and departments within Student Life to support the residential experience for approximately 25 U-M students on the Marygrove campus, located in Detroit. In Fall 2026, five new residence halls housing 2,300 undergraduate students and a new 822-seat dining facility will open to continue M Housing's strong tradition of providing affordable housing options and services for U-M students. In addition to supporting the academic mission of the University, M Housing creates and sustains diverse learning-centered residential communities that ultimately enhance the residential experience and serve as a guide for their work in support of M Housing values.
Position Summary:
The Michigan Housing Community Connections and Engagement Department is vital in fostering vibrant and inclusive residential communities where students feel a strong sense of belonging. It achieves this through dynamic engagement and programming in residence halls, addressing residents' accommodation needs, facilitating connections to campus resources, and supporting students in navigating campus climate concerns. By offering events, educational workshops, staff training sessions, and the You Belong Here campaign, the department strives to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.
The Assistant Director, Community Connections and Engagement, plays a key role in promoting inclusivity within the residential community by overseeing the historical multicultural lounge program. This involves executing long-term strategic initiatives, such as renovating existing lounges and establishing new ones. The Assistant Director collaborates with Student Life to ensure residents have access to necessary resources and opportunities. Furthermore, the Assistant Director co-leads the Program Manager team, focusing on facilitating resident engagement with campus resources, fostering an inclusive community, and enhancing connections among residents.
This position reports directly to the Associate Director, Community Connections and Engagement.
Required Qualifications*
- Master's degree in a related field (Higher Education, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work), or relevant years of experience in a related educational field.
- Experience building inclusive communities in a higher education setting (or relevant environment) and program management.
- Experience in mediation, facilitation, conflict management, or restorative practices in resolving conflict.
- Proven experience with digital platforms and visual storytelling in print, complemented by strong written communication skills."
- Previous experience in supervision of student and/or professional staff
Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship
Modes of Work
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
Position Responsibilities (primary responsibilities and duties expected in this position totaling 100% allocation):
Community Connections Strategic Collaborations (45%)
Multicultural Space Management and Capital Projects
- Direct and administer all operations, systems, programs, services and resources, to advance the mission of all 19 multicultural spaces for the campus community.
- Lead the M Housing Design Process for renovations of multicultural spaces scheduled for each year, directing the process includes:
- Running multiple stages of the design process with the campus community including feedback sessions and design showcases,
- Assisting with design elements with the Director and Student Life capital projects,
- Creating and implementing graphic and art design components for the multicultural spaces that are aligned with the purpose of the individual space and campus community needs.
- Direct work with multiple SL and campus stakeholders to ensure that we are adhering to the mission of the multicultural lounge program while aligning needs and the renovation work for the division.
- Create design elements that both honor the history of student activism and the multicultural spaces, while creating a space of education and storytelling for the current student.
Partnership Development
- Oversee cultivation and maintenance of new strategic partnerships with campus units, faculty, alumni, residents, and student organizations.
- Create partnerships that enhance student learning, intercultural education, and inclusive spaces for the campus community.
- Work closely with alumni to build investment, engagement, and potential donors for the multicultural lounge program.
- Develop and sustain partnerships with various campus stakeholders, such as Information and Technology Services and the Division of Public Safety and Security, to support the infrastructure and security of the multicultural spaces.
Curriculum Development
- Create or expand on curriculum for each multicultural space honoring the namesake of each, including ongoing educational components related to significant dates, events, or campaigns.
- In partnership with faculty, deliver curriculum to classes within the University of Michigan that meet the class and multicultural space.
- Develop training based on the mission and vision of multicultural spaces to be delivered to the campus community.
- Develop learning outcomes for the multicultural lounge program, for assessment purposes.
- Adapt multicultural lounge curriculum to digital formats for engagement on interactive monitors and through the department website.
Community Connections Departmental Leadership (35%)
- Supervision, including directing the work and goals of the program manager (FTE) and performance management.
- Functional supervision of the Core Coverage Team (FTE).
- Facilitate weekly meetings with the 6 member CCT to manage project distribution, evaluate and respond to campus trends through programming, and provide coaching and advice for navigating the institution, departmental priorities, and student needs.
- Manage both large scale and all student programming, including building and maintaining partnerships, coordinating ordering and supplies, leading marketing and communication efforts, and ensuring programs are aligned with departmental values.
- Ensure all team programs, projects, and objectives align with the broader mission and goals of the institution.
- Oversee day to day operations and office coverage and maintain open communication amongst the team to address problems that arise.
- Fosters an environment that supports innovation, meets student needs, and aligns with institutional priorities.
- Oversees the department's hourly student staff, including hiring processes, training, and performance management.
- Manage departmental budgets related to multicultural space renovations, improvements, and design fixes.
- Help deliver other programmatic components by participating in and leading related committees and other special projects to meet overall strategic goals.
- Leads the department's strategic initiative to share the nationally recognized multicultural lounge program through marketing, social media, publications, and curriculum development.
- Oversees the creation, editing, and dissemination of all student program marketing.
- Serve in on-call rotation to manage campus climate incidents within the residence halls, remotely by phone.
Residential Climate Leadership and Oversight (20%)
- Manage department-wide priorities related to student programming and the You Belong Here campaign, including large scale programming.
- Support program manager team in conducting regular evaluation and discussion of the residential climate to identify strengths and address challenges through student programming.
- Work with program managers to create initiatives that actively engage students in shaping the residential climate.
- Provide direction to ensure clear dissemination of information regarding policy updates, strategic shifts, and other relevant residential climate changes.
- Support M Housing residential climate work, by supporting residents when campus climate concerns arise.
- Help with managing campus climate crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and providing resource and referral services to students of all identities utilizing a culturally competent framework.
Other Duties as Assigned by Michigan Housing
Working Conditions:
- Position requires working evening and weekend hours and traveling to multiple M Housing locations on campus. Position is an onsite position and shares office coverage responsibilities.
- Possibility for one (1) day remote work a week.
Physical Requirements:
Be able to transport packages and boxes up to 25 lbs
Direct Reports:
- This position directly supervises a program manager (permanent staff) position and 1 student research/program assistant.
- Upline includes approximately 18-24 Multicultural Lounge Community Assistants, 12-20 Connector Community Assistants, and 1 social media program assistant.
This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.
Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.
Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.
Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.
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Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.