How to Apply

Note: This is a three-year term-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal.

This position is interdependent with Job Posting Number 172783, LEO Adjunct Lecturer WISE RP (Residence Program), which typically involves teaching one to two courses during the academic fall and winter terms. Candidates who do not have a tenure track faculty appointment at the University of Michigan must apply to both positions and be qualified for both in order to be considered as a candidate. (Please see Job Posting 172783, which describes the LEO Adjunct Lecturer position, for the specific application requirements for that position.)

To apply for the director position, a cover letter is required. Please attach the letter as the first page of your CV. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position. To be considered, please submit an application and upload all materials and any supporting documents through the UM Careers Website.

Job Summary

The University of Michigan's College of Literature, Science and the Arts (LSA) seeks a director for its Women in Science and Engineering Residence Program (WISE RP). The program is one of the six Michigan Learning Communities (MLCs) on campus for which LSA is the administrative home, and is dedicated to student success in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The staff appointment effort is 100% year round, except during the academic year when the director is teaching. The staff appointment effort will be reduced in order to accommodate the teaching portion of the position during those times so that the total appointment effort remains at 100%. The position also carries effort associated with the expectation of creative, innovative and collaborative contributions in STEM-focused initiatives inside of LSA and across the U-M campus. The three roles -- administrative leadership, teaching and work on College and cross-campus initiatives --combine to form a 100% position. This academic/administrative leadership position reports to the Office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education in LSA the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, with a direct reporting line to the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education.

Mission/Overview of Program

The mission of WISE RP is to recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields (STEM); to link students with resources and opportunities that will support their academic and personal pursuits; and to develop relationships among students with similar interests while building a community based on mutual respect and affirmation of diversity. WISE RP is especially interested in recruiting and retaining underrepresented, first generation, and low SES students. The 2018-2019 WISE RP cohort was composed of first-year 106 students, 45% of whom were students in Engineering. The program sits alongside of five other LSA-administered residential learning communities, including Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP), Lloyd Hall Scholars Program (LHSP), Global Scholars Program (GSP), Health Sciences Scholars Program (HSSP), and Michigan Research & Discovery Scholars (MRADS), with which it is co-located in the Mosher-Jordan residence hall on central campus. The program has a staff of two people (including an associate director and an administrative assistant (which is shared with the Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars program)) and various student staff including 39 sophomore leaders. The program is maintained by an annual budget of approximately $67,000 (not including salaries), including donor funding that comes with some stewardship responsibilities.

Director Overview

The Director will work collaboratively with academic programs in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts; with the College of Engineering; with the campus-wide Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) program; and with academic resources in other UM schools and colleges to shape the academic and co-curricular experiences for WISE RP students. The director and staff are also expected to maintain strong working relationships with Student Life and University Housing in order to optimize the students’ residential experience. The WISE RP Director provides the intellectual vision and the strategic leadership for the program and is responsible for curricular development and innovation. The Director leads and administers, with staff involvement, all aspects of the program - works with students, faculty, and staff in providing classroom and experiential education about STEM success; oversees programming and staff performance; builds academic partnerships across campus to engage university faculty and professional/graduate students in meaningful exchanges with the WISE RP undergraduate students, including guest lectures; recruits students and staff for the program; collaborates with University Housing on building and sustaining an inclusive and engaged residential community; and provides staff and budget management.

Regular teaching in the program is integral to the directorship; teaching one course in four separate sections during both Fall and Winter terms has been the typical expectation, though this may change in future years. The WISE RP Director is also responsible for teaching an additional 1 credit course for transfer students in STEM disciplines during the fall and winter terms. Active collaboration with the university’s academic units to ensure broad faculty involvement in these academic offerings is also integral to the role.

LSA Undergraduate Education

The Director also works in close partnership with the College of LSA Dean’s Office, the College’s Undergraduate Education Division’s programs and centers, and other campus units to provide an inclusive atmosphere of collaboration and to leverage the multiplicity of resources in service of the program objectives. This position also plays a key role in the various ways that the LSA seeks to offer support to women and underrepresented populations in STEM, especially for first- and second-year students but also for transfer students, including serving as an initial point of contact, directing students to appropriate offices and services within LSA and across the university. Key partnerships within the College include the Comprehensive Studies Program, MRADS, the Office of Student Recruitment, and LSA Advancement.

Finally, the WISE RP Director will be responsible for contributing to the advancement of women and underrepresented populations in STEM through participation in projects such as Growing STEM: Pipelines, Collaborations and Pedagogies for Diversity & Inclusion at Michigan, an LSA and cross-campus initiative to increase access and retention in STEM disciplines; through the facilitation of the STEM Student Advisory Group; and through direct collaboration with the WISE Program, which has reporting lines within the College of Engineering and the Office of the Provost. Recruiting, retaining and supporting women and underrepresented minorities in STEM, along with efforts to diversify STEM more broadly, is an important strategy goal for the LSA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion plan. We anticipate that the WISE RP Director will work with a dedicated team to spread best practices and innovations in teaching and mentoring.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. The University of Michigan is committed to foster learning, creativity and productivity, and to support the vigorous exchange of ideas and information, not only in the classroom but in the workplace by:

Creating a work environment in which people treat each other with respect and dignity, regardless of roles, responsibilities or differences.

Providing support, direction and resources enabling us to accomplish the responsibilities of our jobs and to reach the goals that are set for professional and personal growth.

Responsibilities*

Develop and teach core classes for WISE RP in fall and winter terms (110-115 students/program) to promote active and engaging dialogues; build community across shared experiences.

Teach one additional course each semester focusing on helping transfer students in STEM strategize for success.

Collaborate with faculty to enhance academic experience of students through extra-curricular and co-curricular activities such as forums, seminars, and research partnerships.

Create and implement initiatives to enhance student development and engagement. Such activities may include alumni events, programming for sophomore graduates of the WISE RP program, and robust training for student leaders.

Design and administer surveys and assessments for WISE RP and in collaboration with other Michigan Learning Communities.

Train and support study group leaders for peer-facilitated study groups in introductory STEM classes.

Support individual student needs through coaching and mentorship.

Oversee student conduct process, often in collaboration with Housing.

Formulate and implement recruitment plans with focus on first-generation and underrepresented students.

Develop and oversee WISE RP budget.

Provide leadership, supervision, support, and advocacy for program staff.

Collaborate with other learning communities and LSA Undergraduate Education units.

Actively participate in LSA/UGED meetings and events, including STEM Knowledge Community and Growing STEM efforts.

Participate in multiple LSA initiatives and serve on committees in LSA and the University.

Continue to provide leadership and guidance to the STEM Student Advisory Group.

Engage in LSA and campus-wide professional development activities.

Create, develop, and maintain efforts to increase WISE RP engagement with WISE RP alumni, WISE, campus partners and external constituencies.

Actively support LSA and the University of Michigan Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives.

Additional duties include participation in college- and program-wide activities.

Required Qualifications*

Advanced degree (master’s level), preferably in a STEM or STEM-related field or higher education.

5 years of experience working in an academic student setting.

Ability to learn quickly and prioritize multiple demands.

Experience working with a diverse student population, as well as a demonstrated interest in student retention and academic success.

Expertise and ability to build capacity in understanding the complexities and institutional realities of recruiting and retaining diverse students in STEM disciplines.

Demonstrated administrative success in program management and experience working with faculty.

Demonstrated accomplishment fostering teamwork and cooperation as well as a sense of community around a shared vision and set of values.

Demonstrated success in working with and participating in programs about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Well-developed interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication, with attention to detail, student-centered philosophy and cross-cultural sensitivity.

Demonstrated commitment to partnerships between academic and student life including a working knowledge of student development theory.

Ability to collaborate and work well with students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of experiences and identities.

Impeccable professional ethics and standards working with diverse populations.

Must be able to function independently, be highly motivated and show excellent judgment in leadership and conflict resolution skills.

Desired Qualifications*

Ph.D. in a STEM-related field.

Demonstrated experience using dialogic pedagogy and liberatory practice.

Strong leadership and team-building skills, especially in the creation and leadership of democratic, non-hierarchical environments.

Experience with fundraising.

Demonstrated research experience including direct experience with IRB-approved analysis, program assessment, and evaluation.

Skills in higher education administration, including budget management, supervision of professional and/or student staff, and the ability to lead a team of staff members and affiliated faculty colleagues.

Expertise in developing student programming and student leadership skills.

Additional Information

Note: This is a three-year term-limited appointment with the possibility of renewal.

Review of applications will be done on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill the College’s Guiding Principles, and sustain the excellence of LSA.

To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion visit http://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/about/diversity--equity-and-inclusion.html

To learn more about LSA’s Guiding Principles visit http://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/faculty-staff/human-resources/lsa-staff-guiding...

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.