Academic Program Manager

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.