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 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 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 

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

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

As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences 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.

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

This position is included in the bargaining unit represented by the University Staff United (USU), which represents bargaining unit members in all matters with respect to wages, benefits, hours and other terms and conditions of employment.

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.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.