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.
Unit Summary:
Michigan Housing is an actively engaged unit within Student Life Auxiliary Services within the Division of Student Life. M Housing serves approximately 11,500 students; 9,100 undergraduate 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. Currently, the M Housing portfolio consists of 19 residential facilities that include traditional residence halls, apartments, and other living options located in communities on north and central campuses in Ann Arbor. In partnership with Michigan Dining, there are 9 dining halls and 9 retail operations embedded within the residence halls that serve approximately 4 million meals per year. Beginning Fall 2024, M Housing partnered with other units and departments within Student Life to support the residential experience for approximately 25 U-M students on the Marygrove campus, located in Detroit. In Fall 2026, five new residence halls housing 2,300 undergraduate students and a new 822-seat dining facility will open to continue M Housing's strong tradition of providing affordable housing options and services for U-M students. In addition to supporting the academic mission of the University, M Housing creates and sustains diverse learning-centered residential communities that ultimately enhance the residential experience and serve as a guide for their work in support of creating a sense of belonging for students.
Position Summary:
Diversity and Inclusion is a department within M Housing that helps create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents. This position primarily does this work through management of the residential climate support initiatives and managing the multicultural theme and multicultural councils within the undergraduate communities.
Residential Climate Support and Education (40%)
- Support the M Housing residential climate work, by supporting residents when campus climate concerns arise.
- Provide consultation to colleagues across M Housing (i.e. Residence Education, Marygrove, Housing Support and Community Responsibility) on residential climate concerns
- Directly mediate conflicts among residents and residential communities/floors, manage conflict resolution processes with residents, problem-solving crisis intervention options to deliver for residents, and manage crisis management processes related to identity within the residential community using restorative practices.
- Determine educational needs based on crisis interventions and create and facilitate trainings, workshops, community circles, and roommate/resident conflicts based on those needs for both residents, student staff, and professional staff.
- Manage the M Housing You Belong Here campaign, including programming, marketing and branding components, and educational initiatives for incoming first-year students.
- Collaborate closely with Diversity and Inclusion and campus partners on creating and implementing educational programs that complement the M Housing You Belong Here campaign
- Develop and facilitate training sessions, workshops, and programs for students and staff that address campus climate concerns in the residential communities.
- Develop digital content about the You Belong Here campaign and educational components for programming, partnerships, websites, social media platforms, and phone apps.
Management of Residential Experience (35%)
- Leadership and direction of the Multicultural Housing Theme Community (MHC), specifically:
- Reviewing applications and coordinating housing assignments with the Housing Information Office and the Program Manager for Theme Communities
- Navigating partnerships with M Housing and campus stakeholders, to provide support, resources, and programming for residents of MHC
- Supervise student positions who work directly with MHC
- Supervise Diversity Peer Educators, live-in student staff, who support the residential experience
- Provide program support and leadership for departmental events and initiatives
- Oversight of the Multicultural Councils, providing advising and support to student leaders and their programs
- Participate in department or campus committees to enhance the residential experience
Departmental Administration (25%)
- Serve in on-call rotation to manage campus climate incidents within the residence halls, remotely by phone or email.
- Daily triaging and tracking of residential climate concerns reports in the residential communities.
- Manage campus climate crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and providing resource and referral services to students of all identities utilizing a culturally competent framework.
- Work with the Diversity and Inclusion staff to assess the effectiveness of programs and interventions in residential communities and how it supports campus-wide initiatives of belonging.
- Manage departmental communication including resident newsletters and social media and supervision of student staff who support this work
- Alongside Diversity and Inclusion staff create and coordinate programs and events sponsored by the department
- Provide support for administrative processes of the department, including serving as the primary back-up support for health, disability, and religious observance accommodations
- Other duties as assigned by M Housing and Diversity and Inclusion department leadership
- Bachelor's degree in related field
- Experience in student affairs and/or related educational services work
- Experience building inclusive and multicultural communities.
- Experience in mediation, conflict management, or restorative practices in resolving conflict
- Master's degree in related field
- Experience in student supervision/advising and program leadership.
- Experience working or living in on-campus housing or community settings.
Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):
- Skills
- Interpersonal skills including:
- Strong communication skills in both written and spoken formats.
- Capacity to interact and work with diverse constituent groups including, students, staff, and faculty.
- Knowledge of multicultural education practices including:
- An understanding and commitment to student development.
- Understanding of diversity and inclusion frameworks
- Knowledge of restorative justice principles and applying them to work with students.
- Administrative skills including:
- Experience in program development and implementation.
- Experience in creating digital content.
- Abilities
- Ability to build positive relationships with others across all identities.
- Ability to self-direct and prioritize multiple projects using strong organizational skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve and be adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate change effectively.
Financial/Budgetary Responsibility:
