Who We Are
The Residential College is a four-year liberal arts program located in the East Quad University Residence Hall. Since 1967, the Residential College (RC) has offered undergraduate students a unique living-learning experience in which they benefit from being members of a small college community with full access to the offerings and resources of a world-class research university. This pairing of living and learning creates a dynamic community of undergraduates which has singular and diverse needs that condition, in turn, the composition of the RC staff and its work plans. The distinctive educational mission of the RC is to enable students to develop their intellectual interests and creative talents in an environment in which they can find their own voice and relate learning with doing. The RC faculty and staff challenge students to take the initiative in shaping their own education, to participate actively in classes and in extra-curricular programs, to think critically about what they are learning and reflectively about what they are doing, and to engage with the University community as well as the outside world.
Mission Statement
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Job Summary
The Residential College Office of Academic Services is the nexus of interaction between the living and the learning. The team fosters a connection between the students and the faculty while guiding and advising students on their steps through UM and beyond. Under the supervision of the Chief Administrator, the Director of Academic Services provides independent leadership for the RC Academic Services office, encompassing advising, curriculum, and enrollment. The Director serves as a senior leader within the RC and as a key liaison to the broader University of Michigan and LSA communities.
Responsibilities*
Leadership & Strategic Planning (35%)
Leadership and management over Residential College advising, curriculum and enrollment.
Collaborate with four major program heads , six language heads , and two arts program heads within the Residential college on strategy, policies and student initiatives
Advise senior leadership on student experience, trends and emerging opportunities.
Develop short- and long-range plans for Academic Services that align with the RC mission and best practices.
Ensure RC compliance with University academic and student life policies.
Represent the RC as a standing member of the LSA Curriculum Committee, ACUM Advising Administrators Committee and the LSA Advising Leadership Group.
Serve as the primary liaison to the Office of the Registrar, Office of the Dean of Students, New Student Programs, Newnan, Honors, Comprehensive Studies Program, and Services for Students with Disabilities.
Interpret LSA and UM academic policies and offer expert guidance to faculty and students.
Participate in the RC Administration Team, Curriculum Planning Committee, and Administrative Core Staff groups to assist in high-level leadership decisions.
Management & Staff Supervision (35%)
Directly manage office operations and supervise RC Academic Services team, including Academic Services Graduate Intern. Functional leadership support of Student Affairs Coordinator, student employees, and Living/Learning Social Work Interns.
Oversee the hiring, training, performance evaluation, and professional development of 13 academic advisors (covering general, living/learning, major, and minor advising).
Implement the use of technology to create efficiencies and enhance the delivery of academic and student affairs initiatives, services, activities and programs.
Develop and lead the RC summer orientation program for 250-275 incoming students, including coordinating and collaborating with key partners in ONSP, Newnan, CSP, Honors, the Registrar's Office, and LSA Technology Services
Manage office resources and staffing needs in collaboration with the Chief Administrator.
Advising, Student Support & Curricular Management (30%)
Provide high-level advising, including crisis advising, for students in academic difficulty. Serve as the primary point of contact for parents and guardians.
Convene and lead the RC Board on Academic Standing / Advisor Core, utilizing LSA discipline systems to support students.
Oversee all curriculum management and strategic planning for four majors, four minors, six languages, and two arts programs.
Collaborate with faculty on new course proposals and coordinate Upper-Level Writing Requirement listings with the Sweetland Center for Writing.
Coordinate course fee requests and resolve high-level student record or exception issues with LSA Audit staff.
Required Qualifications*
Education: Bachelor's degree (or equivalent education and experience) or higher is mandatory.
Experience: 5-7 years of progressive experience in Academic Services or a similar administrative area; expertise in curriculum management and academic advising.
Skills: Considerable experience in student affairs and academic advising; excellent communication and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple complex programs; demonstrated ability to handle crises effectively, solving problems proactively and creatively.
Desired Qualifications*
Master's degree in higher education or a related field.
Strong knowledge of U-M and LSA policies, procedures, and systems (including MPathways).
Enthusiasm and energy for working on behalf of students and their academic and career interests.
Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams in a "living-learning" academic environment.
Experience providing clear visions for innovation and advancement in advising, curriculum and academic affairs.
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
The salary range for this position is $61,000 to $76,300, please note that a higher salary may be offered to highly qualified candidates.
As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
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.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.