A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. Provide a cover letter that explains how the skills and experience presented in your resume inform your interest in this position.

The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) provides undergraduate students from diverse academic backgrounds with a wide variety of global engagement and learning opportunities around the world. Over 1,000 students study abroad with CGIS annually, with the University of Michigan ranking as the No. 1 public university for study abroad, and No. 2 in the nation overall (per 2022-2023 Open Doors data from the Institute of International Education). As the Director, you will lead a team of education abroad professionals to facilitate the Center's mission of providing accessible and inclusive education abroad opportunities for students in the College of Literature Science and the Arts and the University of Michigan.

Reporting to an Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education in the College of LSA, the Director plays a key role in the international education community at Michigan. The Director collaborates with study abroad units in other schools and colleges, as well as the Global Engagement Team in the Provost's Office. Importantly, the Director leads partnerships with LSA academic units, instructors, and third-party providers. 

CGIS currently provides many study abroad opportunities including international internships, traditional academic year and term-based study abroad programs, Global Course Connections (GCC), and Global & Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) programs. The Director will provide innovative leadership for these programs while developing new opportunities that enhance the value and accessibility of study abroad programs at Michigan. 

CGIS Mission Statement

The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) develops inclusive and accessible educational opportunities around the globe, primarily for LSA undergraduates. Our academically rich programs foster intellectual curiosity and intercultural understanding by encouraging students and faculty to engage with host communities through conscious and responsible participation. CGIS is committed to furthering diversity within study abroad.

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.

Program Administration and Faculty Collaboration (35%)

• Oversee the largest study abroad office on campus and lead a comprehensive portfolio of education abroad programs.
• Coordinate with third-party providers to provide robust education abroad opportunities for students. Negotiate agreements with external providers to enhance program options and quality.
• In consultation with academic units and committees, select faculty to serve as instructors for CGIS programs. Provide administrative oversight and support for faculty participating in such programs.
• Assist with curriculum development for faculty-led programs and lead faculty orientation sessions.
• Oversee a rigorous program for evaluating global and intercultural study programs and assessing the learning and engagement outcomes for participating students.
• Decision-making about programmatic changes based on such evaluation. Execute and delegate actions necessary to make programmatic changes. 
• Balance CGIS portfolio so programs are widely accessible to a variety of students and student needs in the UM community.
• Actively seek programs that fit unmet student demand, partnering with academic units where necessary.
• Respond to high-priority student, parent, or faculty issues related to a CGIS program including academic, disciplinary, and health/safety matters. Serve as an emergency contact as necessary.
• In conjunction with CGIS staff, develop and implement student recruitment and retention strategies while working to reduce barriers to study abroad as noted by students, staff, or campus partners.  
• Oversee risk management support for other LSA units via the work of CGIS Risk Mitigation Manager.

Center and Staff Leadership (30%)

• Provide leadership for a current team of 13 professional staff including direct reports consisting of the Associate Director, Business Administrator, and Risk Mitigation/Internships Manager.
• In conjunction with the CGIS administrator, oversee the CGIS budget and make decisions consistent with responsible stewardship of University resources. 
• Develop and manage effective and efficient policies and procedures that are consistent with University and College guidelines.
• Provide oversight for daily operations of the Center including staff roles and responsibilities that best support the delivery of high-quality study abroad experiences. 
• Engage in the hiring process for staff and student positions to ensure the CGIS team can meet the varied needs of undergraduate students.
• Make decisions regarding staff professional development approach including site visits, conference presentations, and local or virtual trainings. 
• Maintain CGIS presence as a resource for all departments in the College of LSA. 
• Provide overall leadership for the Center and advance its mission.

Strategic Planning and Development (25%)

• Guide the growth and enhancement of global and intercultural study programs in multiple academic formats. 
• Ensure strong curricular and academic foundations for all types of CGIS programming; revaluating as needed. 
• Work in concert with the LSA Dean's Office, departments, programs, and faculty to make global opportunities an integral part of LSA instruction and undergraduate education. 
• Monitor the higher education and international education environments for challenges or opportunities that may impact the program. 
• Regularly review and assess the current program portfolio and its effectiveness.
• Evaluate the impact to host/local communities when making new program determinations (where applicable). 
• Work with the Global Engagement Team, local partners, and CGIS staff to minimize global health, safety, and security risks and ensure that safety protocols are up-to-date and inclusive. 
• Advocate for initiatives related to the mission of the Center by gaining the support of appropriate people and offices; ensure adequate resources are in place.
• Compile and analyze data to create reports for institutional stakeholders.

Center Representation (10%)

• Represent the global education interests of the College on and off campus, in order to develop excellent working relationships and collaborations with other international/global offices to achieve programmatic goals. 
• Attend annual consortium meetings for programs that have such membership.
• Serve as a representative to professional organizations such as the Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA, CIC, and CIEE. Attend meetings sponsored by these organizations as necessary. 
• Participate in campus committees such as the Council for Global Engagement (CGE).
• Meet partners coming to the UM campus and represent CGIS to current and prospective partners abroad. 
• Build relationships with current and prospective CGIS donors. 
• Communicate the CGIS mission and build financial support for CGIS programs.

• Advanced degree, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, with knowledge of the study abroad or international education, academic policies, and student services. 
• Three to five years experience in working with or participating in study abroad programs. 
• Proven ability to develop and sustain partnerships and opportunities across study abroad programs throughout the University. 
• Experience in academic administration and fundraising. 
• Experience with budgets, planning, and risk management. 
• Demonstrated strong communication and customer service skills essential for effective interaction with students, faculty, and staff. 
• Experience working with students, faculty, and staff in a higher education environment. 
• Experience supervising staff.

• Ph.D. and five years of study abroad or international education program administration experience. 
• Demonstrated leadership and team-building skills. Experience in higher education administration. 
• Previous experience leading student groups abroad and knowledge of intercultural and experiential learning pedagogy. 
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple projects and prioritize deadlines. Well-developed interpersonal skills and excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Management experience in an academic or nonprofit area, as well as teaching experience in higher education.

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 position requires on-campus/in-person work from the Ann Arbor campus with some time working remotely, based on operational needs.

More About Us

LSA is the largest and one of the oldest of the university's 19 schools and colleges, with more than 100 degree programs in over 75 academic departments and programs. Learn more about LSA at https://lsa.umich.edu. The college has a large workforce of approximately 1,200 staff, 1,500 faculty, 1,800 graduate student appointees and research fellows, and an additional 2,000 temporary employees.

We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan, fulfill our mission, vision, and values, and sustain the excellence of LSA.

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.

To learn more about the LSA Undergraduate Education Division, visit https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/faculty-staff/undergraduate-education.html

To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.html.

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

Since 1841, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) has been the heart of The Michigan Difference, educating young leaders through a rich liberal arts curriculum and creating new knowledge through world-class research and scholarship.
 

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

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