How to Apply

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.

Who We Are

At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.

Job Summary

The Academic Services Office (ASO) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) is looking for an academic advisor and student success coach to serve our undergraduate population. ME is a large department with more than 800 undergraduate students and around 700 graduate students; plus 68 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 27 research faculty and lecturers, and 60 staff. The ASO provides student and faculty support for the administrative aspects of our students' curricular and co-curricular experiences. We also support students' wellbeing with engagement activities, responsive advising practices, and referrals to campus and community resources. Our office is a fast-paced environment that focuses on the student experience and the staff team. More detailed information about the department is available on our website . 

Responsibilities*

Academic Advising (50%):

• Serve as the primary liaison on all academic matters for a subset of ME students. Answer questions and work through problems related to educational needs and academic performance. 

• Counsel students and recommend appropriate services, with emphasis on those related to mental health and wellbeing. Assist and refer students in crisis to appropriate campus and community resources. 

• Coordinate the undergraduate major declaration process, including checking intended majors' prerequisites, leading the declaration orientation event, facilitating introduction of students to advisors who they will work with going forward, executing administrative steps in student declarations. 

• Work with students on degree requirements, degree/success planning, course selection/registration, and transfer credit. 

• Track and monitor student progress/outcomes. Complete final degree audits. 

• Present at various events for current and prospective majors including new student orientations, Major Fair, and Campus Day. 

• Work with others on the team to create an inclusive, service-oriented environment for a multicultural student body.

Student Success Coaching (30%)

• Oversee the management and execution of the department tutoring program, including recruiting/hiring tutors based on areas of need.

• Meet regularly with students on academic probation to discuss challenges and achievements.

• Develop programming and resources that foster behavioral change in students that are routinely missing classes and/or assignments, exhibiting challenging behavior in- and/or outside    the classroom, and/or seeming disengaged or uncertain about their academic journey.

• Serve as a resource to faculty, graduate student instructors (GSIs) and instructional aides (IAs) on best practices around addressing student conflict and challenging behavior.

• Benchmark peer mentorship programs and examine feasibility/necessity of providing similar programs for the department.

• Coordinate programs and develop resources that foster academic success (study skills, time management, note-taking, and test preparation strategies).

Program Administration (10%):

• Collaborate with other ASO staff and the associate chair for undergraduate studies to administer all aspects of Mechanical Engineering's undergraduate program and curriculum. 

• Support administratively the associate chair for undergraduate studies, including preparing data and materials for faculty committee meetings. 

• Work with other ASO staff to review and maintain all advising materials for students including the Undergraduate Student Handbook, web content, resource materials, and the Bulletin. 

• Work as part of the team to maintain program data for surveys, gather evaluation data and prepare reports. 

Special Projects (10%):

• With direction from the student services manager, coordinate initiatives led by the associate chair for undergraduate education or the chair of the department. 

• Collaborate and communicate on all aspects of the undergraduate program with ASO team members, working on student support goals. 

• Support general function of the academic services office team, including in-person office traffic; provide necessary support for all ASO events (assisting with set-up and day-of event work). 

This position will sometimes require evening hours for student advising or programming. There is flexibility in the position to allow for some remote/hybrid work. 

Required Qualifications*

 Bachelor's degree or four years of student services experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications*

• A master's degree in counseling/advising, higher education administration, student affairs, or another related field.

• Previous experience in event/program management

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.

Union Affiliation

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.

Background Screening

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.

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.