Program Manager, Community Connections and Engagement

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 creating a sense of belonging for students.

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 residential inclusive community 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 M Housing Community Connections and Engagement Department is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents. The Program Manager's role is to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all residents by assisting in managing and addressing residential inclusive concerns. They conduct daily audits of Advocate Cases assigned to the office to ensure accurate records and necessary follow-ups. They collaborate with the team to effectively manage the daily triaging and tracking of residential inclusive community concerns and reports, and use restorative practices to mediate identity-related conflicts.

This position reports directly to the Assistant Director, Community Connections and Engagement.
 

Responsibilities*

Position Responsibilities (primary responsibilities and duties expected in this position totaling 100% allocation):

Residential Climate Support and Education (45%)

• Lead the end-to-end process of fostering an inclusive residential community by triaging inclusive community concerns as they arise, meeting with residents and student staff, and assigning cases for follow-up and support.
• Observe emerging patterns and proactively develop systematic approaches such as trainings, workshops, and ongoing programs to address recurring issues and needs within the community.
• Serve as a consultant and resource to colleagues across M Housing (including Residence Education, Marygrove, Housing Support, and Community Responsibility), providing expertise and guidance on residential inclusive community matters.
• Directly mediate conflicts among residents and communities, guiding conflict resolution and crisis interventions particularly those related to identity using restorative practices tailored to residential life. Oversee crisis management and ensure resolution aligns with community values.
• Assess educational and developmental needs arising from casework and interventions, and design, deliver, and evaluate trainings, workshops, and community circles for residents, student staff, and professional staff.
• Devise, launch, and sustain educational sessions, workshops, and longer-term programs for students and staff that strategically address inclusive community concerns across the residential experience.
• Partner closely with Community Connections and Engagement, as well as campus units, to co-create, coordinate, and implement educational programming that advances the M Housing You Belong Here campaign from vision to execution.
• Lead the development of digital resources and content to further the You Belong Here campaign, creating assets for programming, partnerships, websites, social media, and mobile platforms to maximize campaign reach and impact.
• Support crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and provide resource and referral services to students of all identities utilizing a culturally competent framework.

Management of Residential Experience (35%)

• Champion all aspects of the residential experience by intentionally nurturing an inclusive, welcoming, and vibrant community for every resident. Utilizing a inclusion framework, this role will proactively support and elevate community connection and engagement initiatives through the following responsibilities:
• Foster Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate closely with program managers and student leaders to design, deliver, and assess community-building initiatives that address the evolving needs of residents. Co-supervise Diversity Peer Educators (DPEs) to ensure programming, outreach, and support strategies are consistently equitable and responsive.
• Support Supervision and Development: Partner with program managers to provide guidance, training, and ongoing support for DPEs and other resident leaders, empowering them to facilitate robust programs that advance diversity, equity, and positive climate across residential spaces.
• Advance Residential Climate Goals: Help shape the residential environment by identifying opportunities and removing barriers to ensure every resident feels welcome, valued, and respected. Utilize data and feedback from community members to adapt engagement strategies toward creating a more just and inclusive living environment.
• Build and Sustain Community Networks: Actively seek out and support new avenues for resident involvement, community connections, and ongoing engagement, expanding outreach especially to underrepresented and marginalized groups. Champion practices and partnerships that enrich community cohesion, mutual respect, and cultural understanding.

Departmental Administration (20%)

• Serve in on-call rotation to manage residential inclusive community concerns when incidents within the residence halls occur, remotely by phone or email.
• Work with the Community Connections and Engagement staff to assess the effectiveness of programs and interventions in residential communities and how it supports campus-wide initiatives of belonging.
• Manage departmental communication including resident newsletters and social media and supervision of student staff who support this work.
• Alongside Community Connections and Engagement staff create and coordinate programs and events sponsored by the department.
• Provide support for the administrative processes of the department, including serving as back-up support for health, disability, and religious observance accommodations.

Other duties as assigned by M Housing and Community Connections and Engagement department leadership.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• Experience in student affairs and/or related educational services work
• Experience building inclusive and multicultural communities
• Experience in mediation, conflict management, or restorative practices in resolving conflict

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

Working Conditions:

• The job requires working evening and weekend hours and traveling to multiple M Housing locations on campus. The position is an onsite position and shares office coverage responsibilities.
• Possibility for one (1) day remote work a week following successful completion of probationary period.

Physical Requirements:

Be able to move and transport packages and boxes up to 25 lbs

Direct Reports:

Provides functional supervision of all Community Connections and Engagement student staff on addressing residential inclusive community concerns and supporting residents and periodically will directly supervise Diversity Peer Educators.
 

The earliest start date for this position is April. If you are unable to begin until the end of May or early June, we can discuss your availability during the interview process.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

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.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

#studentlife

Union Affiliation

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

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.