ACADEMIC PROGRAM SPECIALIST

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.

The International Institute (II) is seeking a team member to provide high quality student facing programming and program support for our undergraduate and graduate programs. The Academic Program Specialist supports four majors (International & Comparative Studies (PICS); Middle Eastern and North African Studies; Latin American and Caribbean Studies; Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies), four minors (PICS, Modern Middle Eastern and North African Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Islamic Studies), as well as our graduate program, Masters in International and Regional Studies (MIRS). The position is a member of the II's Academic Services team.

The Academic Program Specialist is responsible for all II Academic Services student-facing programming and often serves as the face of the programs at campus events. They manage a team of student staff to help support these initiatives as well as the development of the course lists to aid in student registration each semester. They work closely with center staff and directors across the II on planning, student-facing programming, and communications to students. They collaborate with II centers and academic services, U-M units, and other partners to promote the centers' initiatives and academic degree programs.

Programming - 50%

Develop, promote, plan, and manage student-facing programming in collaboration with the Academic Services team and Director of Undergraduate Studies. This includes annual events such as graduation, MIRS orientation, and fall welcome reception, as well as student-focused events such as lectures, conferences, and info sessions. Typical duties include:

• Reserving rooms
• Placing catering and supply orders
• Issuing guest speaker invitations; arranging travel, lodging, and restaurant reservations; and processing honorarium payments
• Arranging technical support for media equipment or AV recording
• Promoting or publicizing events and tracking guest registration/attendance
• Setting event budgets and tracking expenses
• Coordinating events on-site, troubleshooting as needed to ensure things go smoothly
• Organizing regular meetings and cross-center planning with colleagues

Student Staff Supervision - 25%

Oversee hiring and supervision of 5-8 student support staff. Supervisory duties include setting student staff schedules, training, assigning daily work, approving time cards, and providing regular feedback. This position also oversees student staff work on data collection and data management projects as needed.

Promotion and Outreach - 20%

Prepare and edit reports, publications, websites, and other publicity for student-facing activities in coordination with II Communications. Develop and oversee maintenance of specialized student email groups. Advertise events and academic programs through email communication, print publications, and social media. Manage PICS social media presence and weekly newsletter. Liaise with II-sponsored student organizations, Center for Global and Intercultural Study, (CGIS), and LSA Opportunity Hub and invite them to II student events as appropriate. Develop and oversee PICS Alumni listserv of over 2,500 alumni, and manage PICS Alumni LinkedIn group.

Course List Management - 5%

Oversee the expansive, interdisciplinary course list creation process each semester in collaboration with the front desk student staff, academic advisors, directors, and center staff.

• Bachelor's degree in International Studies or related field, or equivalent education and experience
• Previous experience in program and event planning
• Excellent written/verbal communication and cross-cultural interpersonal skills
• Ability to act independently and collaboratively within a team, manage multiple tasks at once, and exercise good judgment
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

The salary range for this position is $46,400 to $58,000.