Assistant Director, Community Connections and Engagement

University of Michigan; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work option

Job summary

University of Michigan's Michigan Housing seeks an Assistant Director for the Community Connections and Engagement Department to lead programming, student workshops, and staff development. The role focuses on fostering inclusive residential communities and supporting residents in navigating campus resources.

Responsibilities include supervising the Diversity Peer Educator program, guiding program managers, and partnering across Student Life to enhance belonging and engagement within on-campus

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Experience building inclusive communities in a higher education setting.
• Experience in program management with strong organizational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in mediation, facilitation, conflict management, or restorative practices.
• Experience facilitating topics around identity, inclusivity and belonging.
• Experience supervising students and/or professional staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for departmental programming, student workshops, and staff development.
• Lead supervision and coaching for program managers and Diversity Peer Educator staff.
• Collaborate with campus partners to advance inclusive programming and community building.
• Oversee residential climate initiatives and support campus climate responsiveness.
• Coordinate marketing, communications, and large-scale programming aligned with the department's values.

Skills

Inclusive communities

Program management

Mediation / conflict management

Facilitation of identity/belonging

Staff supervision

Education

Master's degree in related field

Job description

Job Summary

Unit Summary:

Michigan Housing is an actively engaged unit within Student Life Auxiliary Services within the Division of Student Life. Michigan Housing serves approximately 14,000 students, including approximately 11,400 undergraduate students 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 campus. The Michigan Housing portfolio consists of 24 residential facilities, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and other living options located in communities on North and Central Campus in Ann Arbor. This includes the five residential buildings that opened as part of Wolverine Village in Fall 2026. In partnership with Michigan Dining, there are dining halls and retail operations embedded within residence halls that serve approximately 4 million meals per year. Michigan Housing also partners with other units and departments across Student Life to support the residential experience for approximately 30 University of Michigan students on the Marygrove campus, located in Detroit. In addition to supporting the academic mission of the University, Michigan Housing creates and sustains diverse, learning-centered residential communities that enhance the residential experience and guide the work in support of Michigan 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 Community Connections and Engagement Department Assistant Director is key in fostering inclusive residential communities. They offer strategic vision and guidance for departmental programming, student workshops, training sessions, and professional development opportunities. This role oversees residential climate support initiatives and co-leads the Program Manager team to ensure effective student programming and supervision of the team. 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.

Responsibilities*

Community Connections Strategic Collaborations (40%)

The Diversity Peer Educator (DPE) Program and Multicultural Councils are longstanding, high-impact initiatives that have received sustained investment from the university. The Senior Program Manager provides strategic leadership and oversight for both historical programs. Through direct supervision, collaborative program development, and strong campus partnerships, this role ensures their continued growth and relevance within the residential experience. The responsibilities below reflect the key functions and leadership areas associated with this role.

• Develop and implement visions and goals for the Diversity Peer Educator Program that align with the mission and values of the M Housing, Community Connections and Engagement, and Student Life.
• Supervise two full-time Program Managers who supervise up to 8 Diversity Peer Educator (DPE) team. Provide direction, support, and accountability for their work, ensuring that their supervision of DPEs aligns with program goals, departmental priorities, and the overall mission of M Housing.
• Select, train, develop, and support the supervision of the Diversity Peer Educators.
• Plan and execute programs and events in support of the mission and values of the Diversity Peer Educator Program.

Leadership In This Area Includes

• Incorporate students at all levels of programmatic involvement, including marketing, branding, and outreach to the residential community
• Partner with student organizations, academic units, and Student Life when appropriate

• Provide guidance and oversight to the multicultural councils using inclusive practices. Providing guidance and oversight includes:
• Attend meetings as needed
• Assist in the development of the organization by advising the program manager and DPEs in inclusive leadership and community building
• Consult and support the program manager and DPEs in program planning and execution
• Provide resources and support when needs/concerns arise for council members
• Communicate and interpret constitutional, departmental, and institutional policies and procedures related to the Multicultural Council
• Provide oversight, management, and supervision for the Multicultural Theme Community. This includes supervising the program manager responsible for the selection of residents, supervision and training of the Multicultural Theme DPE, evaluation and assessment of the community, and development of the program expectations.
• Serve as a liaison to the M Housing Residence Education Department by creating strategic frameworks for programming related to identity, culture, and belonging, directly guiding the approach of over 300 Resident Advisors and 30 professional staff through consultation, training, and ongoing support.

Residential Climate Leadership and Oversight (30%)

• Assess and evolve the Diversity Peer Educator program's structure, goals, and impact in response to the residential climate and institutional priorities.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership in the creation of community-building and educational opportunities for residents of all identities, specifically around topics of inclusion, diversity, and multiculturalism.
• 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.

Community Connections Departmental Leadership (30%)

• 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.
• Help deliver other programmatic components by participating in and leading related committees and other special projects to meet overall strategic goals.
• 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.

Other Duties as Assigned by Michigan Housing

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 (or equivalent) setting.
• Experience in program management with strong organizational, communication, and creative problem-solving skills, including the ability to design, implement, and evaluate engaging initiatives
• Experience in mediation, facilitation, conflict management, or restorative practices in resolving conflict.
• Experience in facilitating topics around identity, inclusivity, and belonging.
• Previous experience in the supervision of students and/or professional staff

Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship

Desired Qualifications*

• Familiarity with managing identity-focused programs
• Familiarity with restorative practice principles
• Student affairs experience with an emphasis on inclusive programming and community building
• Experience developing and supporting student leaders
• Experience working or living in on-campus housing or community settings as a permanent staff member.

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

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S.

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 start date clause

Selected candidates whose start date is between 4/1/2026 - 9/1/2026 will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

Salary

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

Relocation

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

Financial/Budgetary Responsibility

Co-management of multicultural funds.

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 move and transport packages and boxes up to 25 lbs

Direct Reports

This role leads and oversees the Diversity Peer Educator program, including supervising three full-time staff members and one student programming assistant.

Upline includes approximately 26 Diversity Peer Educators.

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 Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.