Associate Vice President for Student Development, Learning, and Social Change Education

Now operating in its third century, the University of Michigan (U-M) continues its mission to serve the public through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values. Currently, the main campus in Ann Arbor, comprised of 3,200 acres, has approximately 44,000 faculty and staff and an enrollment of 48,000 students, about a third of whom are in graduate and professional studies. U-M is consistently ranked among the top institutions of higher education globally with 102 graduate programs ranked in the top 10 nationally. The associate vice president will join the student life executive leadership team in advancing the mission and core work of the division, a team of over 25 departments/units, 1300+ full time staff and 3,000+ student employees. Student life’s mission is facilitating student learning and the development of the whole student while cultivating a diverse and inclusive campus community.

Reporting to the vice president for student life, the associate vice president for student development, learning, and social change education (AVP) oversees and leads the achievement of goals and vision for the Ginsberg Center; first year experience office (shared reporting with housing); international center (IC); multi-ethnic student affairs (MESA); M-LEAD collective (co-supervised by MESA, Ginsberg Center and center for campus involvement); office of student conflict resolution (OSCR); program on intergroup relations (IGR); spectrum center; Trotter Center; and university career center (UCC). The AVP is responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, and personal development for direct reports and is accountable for the performance of approximately 100 regular employees, and a budget of approximately $10 million.  The staff includes a high performing team of leaders dedicated to innovation and building new best practice initiatives while also preserving a legacy of flagship programs.  Several of these programs have earned national recognition for excellence and contributions to the field.

An advanced degree and at least ten years of progressively responsible leadership and supervision including administrative and financial management experience and experience supervising units with complex legal compliance obligations are required. A doctorate and leadership experience at a large decentralized academic institution, including experience with academic partnerships, student development, leadership, and personal development, education for social change and intervention, support and advocacy are preferred. The ideal candidate will possess demonstrated specific knowledge and expertise in intercultural and interfaith student learning, first year experience, career, international, democratic engagement and service-learning, intergroup relations, student conflict resolution through the lens of restorative justice, and outreach, education, advocacy and support through the lens of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. Candidates will also possess demonstrated  knowledge of social identity and social justice and evidence of ensuring maximum participation of diverse campus communities to create a positive learning environment for all students; knowledge of student development theory and of concerns, challenges, interests and issues currently prevalent among undergraduate and graduate students; and a proven ability to work in an inclusive and consultative way with faculty, staff, peers, students, parents, and the broader external community.

Review of applications will begin September 17, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Mark Hall at mah@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.

Visit the University of Michigan website at www.umich.edu

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