Associate Director, Community Connections and Engagement

Job Summary
Michigan Housing is an actively engaged unit within Student Life Auxiliary Services within the Division of Student Life. Michigan Housing serves approximately 14,000 students, including approximately 11,400 undergraduate students and 2,400 graduate and professional students and their families. Although first-year students are not required to live on campus, historically 96-98% of all new first-year students choose to live on campus. The Michigan Housing portfolio consists of 24 residential facilities, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and other living options located in communities on North and Central Campus in Ann Arbor. This includes the five residential buildings that opened as part of Wolverine Village in Fall 2026. In partnership with Michigan Dining, there are dining halls and retail operations embedded within residence halls that serve approximately 4 million meals per year. Michigan Housing also partners with other units and departments across Student Life to support the residential experience for approximately 30 University of Michigan students on the Marygrove campus, located in Detroit. In addition to supporting the academic mission of the University, Michigan Housing creates and sustains diverse, learning-centered residential communities that enhance the residential experience and guide the work in support of Michigan Housing values.

Unit Summary
Michigan Housing is an actively engaged unit within Student Life Auxiliary Services within the Division of Student Life. Michigan Housing serves approximately 14,000 students, including approximately 11,400 undergraduate students and 2,400 graduate and professional students and their families. Although first-year students are not required to live on campus, historically 96-98% of all new first-year students choose to live on campus. The Michigan Housing portfolio consists of 24 residential facilities, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and other living options located in communities on North and Central Campus in Ann Arbor. This includes the five residential buildings that opened as part of Wolverine Village in Fall 2026. In partnership with Michigan Dining, there are dining halls and retail operations embedded within residence halls that serve approximately 4 million meals per year. Michigan Housing also partners with other units and departments across Student Life to support the residential experience for approximately 30 University of Michigan students on the Marygrove campus, located in Detroit. In addition to supporting the academic mission of the University, Michigan Housing creates and sustains diverse, learning-centered residential communities that enhance the residential experience and guide the work in support of Michigan Housing values.

Position Summary
The Michigan Housing Community Connections and Engagement Department is vital in fostering vibrant and inclusive residential communities where students feel a strong sense of belonging. It achieves this through dynamic engagement and programming in residence halls, addressing residents' accommodation needs, facilitating connections to campus resources, and supporting students in navigating campus climate concerns. By offering events, educational workshops, staff training sessions, and the You Belong Here campaign, the department strives to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.

The Associate Director leads the department's efforts in implementing programs, services, and support resources for all residents. They oversee strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the residential experience and fostering inclusive communities where every student feels a sense of belonging.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for departmental student engagement initiatives in residential communities, including first-year student engagement and oversight of the Diversity Peer Educator program, a long-standing undergraduate student program designed to provide peer support, develop inclusive programming, and strengthen belonging and community connection among residents.

Manage and direct departmental responses to identity-related and residential climate concerns that occur within residential communities by working with staff to address identity-related crises, including responding to daily reports of residential and campus climate concerns in alignment with established policies, procedures, and applicable Federal and State laws.

Serve in an on-call leadership capacity for identity-related and residential climate concern response, including student crisis support, in partnership with the Director of Community Connections and Engagement.

Lead the residential climate team in providing support to students and staff impacted by incidents related to identity, bias, belonging, and community conflict; coordinate community-wide responses; and facilitate restorative conversations, mediations, and other engagement-based interventions.

Provide expertise and consultation on inclusive residential practices for Michigan Housing and university partners, including leading strategic approaches that strengthen belonging, support student engagement, and advance inclusive community development across residential communities.

Lead and direct initiatives that promote inclusive residential environments, including strategic decision-making related to gender-inclusive housing, identity-conscious community support, student belonging, and the coordination of resources that enhance the residential student experience.

Provide functional oversight for professional and student staff across Michigan Housing on topics related to inclusion, belonging, residential climate, and student engagement; including providing direction and making decisions regarding responses to residential climate concerns, community conflicts, and emerging student needs.

Regularly consult with campus partners, including the Office of General Counsel, the ECRT Title VI Team, and other relevant university stakeholders, regarding residential climate policies, procedures, practices, and community response strategies.

Develop and sustain partnerships with campus departments and community organizations to support student engagement, inclusive community-building, and residential climate initiatives, including collaboration with

Facilities & Operations, Campus Ministers/Religious Leaders, and other partners who contribute to student belonging and well-being.

Perform other duties as assigned by Michigan Housing Unit Leadership.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in related field is required (Higher Education, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work)

Five years of relevant full-time post-Master's experience, with progressively responsible professional experience in a college or university setting or similarly applicable experience.

Student supervision and program leadership experience.

Two years supervision of professional staff, either directly or functionally.

Experience facilitating topics of inclusion.

Demonstrated experience presenting and leading programming to different audiences aimed at engaging individuals and creating opportunities for connection and engagement.

Experience in developing and implementing initiatives focused on creating inclusive environments.

Familiarity with Restorative Justice principles.

Experience working with diverse constituent groups including, students, staff, and faculty.

Modes of Work
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.

Additional Information
This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Selected candidates whose start date is between 4/1/2026 - 9/1/2026 will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

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Financial/Budgetary Responsibility
Co-management of the Community Connections and Engagement Department budget of approximately $750,000

Working Conditions
Evening, weekends, and holiday hours will be required. Travel within units across campus will be required. Michigan Housing is an onsite operation, but this position may have the potential to work approximately 2 days remote a week.

Physical Requirements
Able to stand and walk for extended periods of time, lift and transport objects weighing 25 -30 lbs. and move quickly throughout the residential communities as needed.

Direct Reports
Position will report directly to the Director, Community Connections and Engagement, Michigan Housing.

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 any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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