ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM

Central Michigan University; Mount Pleasant, Northern (MI, KY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 35,000; Part time

Job summary

Central Michigan University’s Center for Excellence in STEM Education seeks an Assistant Director of Professional Learning Program to support professional learning experiences, research, grant writing and publications within the College of Education and Human Services.

The role involves identifying grants, assisting with research and publications, and delivering learning opportunities for STEM educators and pre-service teachers, with occasional evenings and weekends required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or six years in grant writing or programmatic research.
• Demonstrated experience in research.
• Experience training peers or presenting at conferences.
• Demonstrated grant writing experience.
• Experience working with K-12 students and both pre- and in-service teachers.
• Understanding of Core Teaching Practices (CTPs) and STEM education.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team oriented, willing to work nights/weekends; strong technology skills.

Responsibilities

• Assists the director with identifying grants and grant work in STEM education.
• Assists the director with research and publications related to center work.
• Offers professional learning opportunities in core teaching practices, STEM education and equity.
• Helps build systematic communities of practice around STEM education and equity.

Skills

Grant writing

Research

Public speaking

Collaboration

STEM education

Education

Master’s degree

PhD in related field

Job description

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM

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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee. This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Position Information

Position Information

Posting Number

Posting Number S-3946

Position Number

Position Number 76990

Type of Recruitment

Type of Recruitment External

Position Title

Position Title ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROGRAM

Position Summary

The Center for Excellence in STEM Education ( CESE ) Assistant Director of Professional Learning Program provides support in professional learning experiences, research, grant writing and publications within the College of Education and Human Services’ Center for Excellence in STEM Education.

Required Qualifications

Master’s degree or a combination of education and experience that equates to six years in grant writing or programmatic research. Demonstrated experience in research. Demonstrated experience training peers, presenting at conferences and/or other professional development experience. Demonstrated experience with grant writing. Demonstrated experience working with K-12 students and both pre and in- service teachers. Demonstrated understanding of Core Teaching Practices (CTPs). STEM education background. Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to be collegial, approachable, team oriented, have a positive outlook, and interested in building strong working relationships. Willingness to work some nights and weekends. Must possess strong technology skills for virtual and face-to-face presentations as well as work in STEM education.

Preferred Qualifications

PhD in a related field. Demonstrated Community outreach experience. Demonstrated experienced publishing in a peer reviewed journal.

Duties & Responsibilities

Assists the director with identifying appropriate grants, grant writing and hiring for grant work in the areas of STEM education, STEM education Scholars, and core teaching practices as they relate to STEM education. Assists the director with research and publications related to center work. Offers professional learning opportunities in core teaching practices, STEM education and equity in education to STEM education Scholars, related pre-service teachers, in-service teachers and teacher education faculty/ STEM education faculty. Assists the director in building systematic communities of practice around STEM education, core teaching practices and equity.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Message to Applicants

Central Michigan University is dedicated to fostering an environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We are especially interested in highly qualified candidates who will advance and promote CMU’s mission, vision, and leadership standards. You must submit an on-line application in order to be considered as an applicant for this position. Cover letters may be addressed to the Hiring Committee. This position will remain open until filled. The university reserves the right to close the recruitment process once a sufficient applicant pool has been identified. For best consideration, please submit application materials on or before Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Employee Group

Employee Group Professional & Administrative -Salary

Pay Range

Pay Range $27,500 - $35,000 per year

Division

Division Academic Affairs

Department

Department College of Education & Human Services

Position Status

Position Status Regular

Position End Date

Employment Status

Employment Status Part-Time

FTE

FTE 0.50

Position Type

Position Type 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule

Weekly Work Schedule Mon. - Fri., 20 hours per week / some evenings and weekends as needed

Location

Location Mount Pleasant, MI

About the Department

The Center for Excellence in STEM Education offers K-12 teachers, students and their families relevant STEM education experiences. The Center also supports the work of pre-service teachers also known as STEM Education Scholars with K-12 students during the academic year.

About CMU

Central Michigan University has a more than 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers in their communities and in their personal and professional lives. We serve nearly 15,500 students on our Mount Pleasant campus, in satellite locations around the state and throughout the country, and through flexible online programs. Many of our approximately 300 undergraduate, master’s, specialist and doctoral programs in the arts, media, business, education, human services, health professions, liberal arts, social sciences, medicine, science and engineering are nationally ranked for excellence. CMU leads the nation in leadership development programming through our Sarah R. Opperman Leadership Institute, and we are proud to be among only 5% of U.S. universities in the top two Carnegie research classifications. Our faculty work with graduate and undergraduate students in areas such as Great Lakes research, medical innovation, engineering technology and more. Central is home to 17 men’s and women’s Division 1 sports including football, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, wrestling and more. Our student-athletes achieve great success in competition and in the classroom, capturing Mid-American Conference championships and maintaining an average cumulative GPA of 3.17. CMU is located in Mount Pleasant, a community that blends the best of small-town living with big-city amenities. It’s part of the culturally varied and vibrant Great Lakes Bay Region that also includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and the state’s largest Native American community, centered on the Saginaw Chippewa Isabella Reservation in Mount Pleasant. Area residents enjoy the mix of outdoor activities, cultural events, shopping and dining options, and family attractions. Other major Michigan destinations and attractions — Lansing, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Traverse City, wineries, beaches, golf and ski resorts, and many more — are within easy reach of the city’s central location in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state and national norms.

Central Michigan University is a place where we value students and work for their success, where we act as family, and where employees are engaged, appreciated and have extraordinary opportunities to make a difference. We intentionally maintain and strengthen the hallmark CMU culture that sets us apart from our peers by expecting CMU leaders and employees to model the following Leadership Standards and develop them within their teams. Please review the Leadership Standards before applying for this position.

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

If you wish to see “Know Your Rights ” posters, please click here .

CMU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, including admission and employment, and is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 not to discriminate in such a matter.

Inquiries about the application of Title IX can be made to CMU’s Title IX Coordinator, the US Department of Education’s Assistant Secretary, or both.

CMU’s Title IX Coordinator can be reached at:

Phone: [phone]
Office: 103 E. Preston St.
Bovee University Center, suite 306
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Email: [e-mail]

Posting Ends

Open Until Filled Yes

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you first learn of this job opportunity? Please list the specific advertising source or indicate if it was word of mouth.

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Are you currently an internal employee of CMU according to the university's definition?
  • Yes
  • No
• * If yes, to which employee group do you belong? (If not applicable, select "Not Applicable").
  • Not Applicable
  • Administrative Office Assistant
  • Dispatcher
  • Lieutenant
  • Medical Faculty
  • P&A, SO or Faculty
  • Police
  • Public Broadcasting
  • Sergeant
  • Service Maintenance
  • Supervisory/Technical
• * Do you have a master’s degree or a combination of education and experience that equates to six years in grant writing or programmatic research?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have work experience in research?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have experience training peers, presenting at conferences and/or other professional development experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have grant writing experience?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have experience working with K-12 students and both pre- and in-service teachers?
  • Yes
  • No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Letter of Interest

List of References

Staff postings - Human Resources | Contact HR | [phone]| 109 Rowe

Faculty postings - Faculty Personnel Services | Contact FPS | [phone] | 308 Warriner

CMU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and institution. CMU does not discriminate against persons based on age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, race, religion, sex, sex-based stereotypes, sexual orientation, transgender status, veteran status, or weight.

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