"DIRECTOR / CENTRAL BOUND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM"

DIRECTOR / CENTRAL BOUND PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Position Number: S-3812

Position Summary:

This position provides programmatic and operational leadership for Central Michigan University’s community college partnership initiative, Central Bound. This role is responsible for fostering collaborative relationships across institutions, engaging community college partners, and coordinating with key stakeholder groups to support Central Bound program objectives and student success. The program director plays a pivotal role in supporting the recruitment, retention, and overall academic achievement of program participants, contributing directly to the advancement of the institutional enrollment strategies and academic mission.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two years of professional experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and shifting timelines.
• Experience fostering collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Experience working with community colleges.
• Proven ability to lead proactively, including driving change, aligning stakeholders, and delivering measurable results.
• Familiarity with the student life cycle, particularly the transfer student experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and persuasively articulate complex concepts.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in data analysis, reporting, and relevant software, including CRM and student information systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of the institutional infrastructure that supports students, including admissions, financial aid, academic advising, and support services.
• Ability and willingness to travel for partner meetings and/or events.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Five years of professional experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience administering transfer enrollment, early college, or educational partnership programs.
• Experience with program assessment, outcomes evaluation, and reporting.
• Knowledge of transfer credit evaluation, articulation processes, and related policies.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain partnerships with community colleges and co-enrollment programs.
• Familiarity with enrollment management strategies and institutional planning.
• Demonstrated understanding of articulation agreements, consortium financial aid, and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated understanding of how transfer guides support student pathways, degree planning, and timely completion.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leads, administers, and coordinates all operational aspects of the Central Bound community college partnership program.
• Serves as a liaison and institutional representative between CMU and Central Bound partner institutions, facilitating clear communication, alignment of goals, and collaborative problem-solving to support student success.
• Collaborates with university leadership to develop and implement annual and long-term recruitment plans and strategies for the degree partnership program.
• Initiates, supports, and advances transfer initiatives that position CMU as a transfer-affirming and student-focused institution.
• Assists in the coordination and tracking of financial aid consortium packages for Central Bound students to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Partners with CMU student support units and community college stakeholders (i.e. academic advising, admissions, financial aid, registrar, IT, and online student services) to ensure seamless program delivery and student success.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with partner institution representatives, responding proactively to issues and facilitating ongoing collaboration.
• Works with internal stakeholders, including college administrators, advisors, recruiters, and marketing professionals to design and implement effective recruitment, onboarding, and transition strategies for Central Bound students.
• Convenes regular meetings with community college partners and key CMU contacts to review program initiatives, progress, and outcomes.
• Assesses training needs and provides ongoing professional development support for internal and external stakeholders throughout the academic year.
• Collaborates in the development and maintenance of transfer guides and articulation agreements, coordinating with administrative offices as Central Bound program needs evolve.
• Manages program assessment and reporting, including preparation of reports or presentations.
• Collaborates in the development of onboarding opportunities to ensure positive student experiences.
• Assists in managing resources, including budget, staff support, and technology to ensure the effective operation of the Central Bound program.
• Remains informed of institutional policies and procedures, monitoring their impact on the program and suggesting recommendations to support effectiveness.
• Utilizes data and tracking tools to monitor program enrollment, outcomes, and analyze trends in support of continuous improvement efforts of the program.
• Compiles and reports enrollment trends, student demographics, and outcomes for both on-campus and distance learners enrolled in the program.
• Ensures compliance with academic regulations and institutional policies, promoting equitable and effective practices for transfer and degree partnership students.
• Represents CMU in presentations, discussions, and collaborative initiatives with Central Bound partner institutions.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Employee Group: Professional & Administrative -Salary

Division: Academic Affairs

Department: Innovation & Online

Position Status: Provisional

Position End Date: 10/31/2028

Employment Status: Full-Time

FTE: 1.00

Position Type: 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as needed

Location: Mount Pleasant, MI

Open Until Filled: Yes

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.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit letters of recommendation. If you wish to include recommendation letter(s) that are not required, please utilize the Recommendation Letters upload field.

To apply, visit https://www.jobs.cmich.edu/postings/44367