How to Apply

A cover letter and resume are required for consideration for this position. The cover letter must be attached to your resume and should address your specific interest in the position and outline your skills and experience that relate directly to this position. Candidates who do not adhere to this requirement will not be considered.

Finalists may be asked to provide a portfolio of work, including samples of the type of work described in this posting.

Job Summary

PLEASE NOTE: This position is seasonal (40 hours per week - mid-August through mid-May). There is currently funding for this position until summer 2026.

This position will provide event planning and project management support to the four Ethnic Studies Programs housed in the Department of American Culture: Arab and Muslim American Studies (AMAS), Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies (A/PIA), Latina/o Studies (LS), and Native American Studies (NAS). In this role, you would report to the Chief Administrator and work closely with the four ethnic studies program faculty Directors and the Events and Communications Coordinator.

As our Ethnic Studies Program Coordinator (ESPC), you would work with faculty, students, and staff to bring new ideas to campus by planning and executing ethnic studies events. Collaborating closely with faculty directors for each program, this role is central to advancing the outreach, community building, and educational missions within the Department of American Culture.

We seek an individual who can manage multiple projects across multiple programs and has excellent planning and communications skills. As the ESPC, you would help our ethnic studies programs by creating eye-catching and informative designs for print and digital media, elevating the research and outreach of our faculty and students, and helping future ethnic studies students find and learn about the programs.

Mission Statement

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.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, the University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

Generous time off, including vacation time, sick time, holiday and season days
A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
Life insurance
Long-term disability coverage
Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

In addition, the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) offers:

Enhanced tuition support programs for LSA courses
Strong commitment to work/life balance
Flexible work arrangements with respect to campus stakeholder needs
Being part of something greater, of serving a larger mission of discovery and care - that's the heart of what drives people to work at Michigan. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. It's adding a purpose to your profession. Work at Michigan and become a victor for the greater good.

Responsibilities*

Event Planning and Support - (45%)

Work closely with faculty, students, and staff to organize and coordinate event logistics for in-person, hybrid, and virtual ethnic studies program events including seminars, colloquia, and lectures including, but not limited to, catering, venues, photography/recording, audio/visual and IT needs, set up and breakdown, travel, and honorarium payments.
Provide in-person coverage for events as needed. Communicate with organizers and invited guests regarding event logistics.
Communicate clearly and consistently with invited guests (including non-English speaking guests), faculty, student, and staff organizers, ensuring organizers and participants are aware of and understand the arrangements for events.
Coordinate all financials with the faculty directors and business office. Manage PCard expenses; facilitate honorarium processing and reimbursements for invited guests.
Prepare materials and images related to events including but not limited to itineraries, programs, and other print material.
Keep department and program calendars and websites, as well as U-M Happenings, up to date with ethnic studies events ensuring there are no conflicts.

Website and Social Media Support - (25%)

Collaborate with staff and faculty in the programs to pursue and produce content for social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, to increase engagement with undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and the broader community/public.
Proactively enhance and update website(s) regularly using Adobe Experience Manager, identifying and implementing ways to improve its layout and enhance the content.
Analyze social media and website metrics on a quarterly basis. Make recommendations for new strategies based on analysis.
Promote events in a clear and engaging way on all relevant program platforms.

Graphic Design/ Printing - (10%)

Keep pace with U-M and federal accessibility guidelines and collaborate with faculty, students, and staff to produce a wide variety of publicity materials (high quality posters, flyers, digital signage, event programs, invitations, slide shows, and other materials in support of program events) and website and social media content while implementing accessibility best practices.
Develop relationships with faculty, students, and staff to develop a better understanding of the cultures of each ethnic studies program and create effective content and enhance the quality of publicity materials.
Collaborate with staff on the design and procurement of outreach and promotional materials for students, donors, and alumni consistent with each program's identity.

Liaison to Student Groups and Alumni - (10%)

Serve as a liaison between each program and closely affiliated student organizations.
Build relationships with program alumni and coordinate with staff and faculty leadership to improve communication with them.
Serve as the first point of contact for students, faculty, and community members interested in the ethnic studies programs.

General Administration (10%)

Coordinate and manage grant-funded course and project development grants.
Understand, interpret, and comply with U-M, LSA, and other relevant policies and procedures related to hosting, events, and communications and help keep internal resources updated.
Create and track program event and communications budgets and ensure events and publicity are within outlined budgets; monitor expenses against budget and adjust as needed.
Manage PCard and shortcode expenses and reconcile appropriately; facilitate honorarium processing and reimbursements for guest lecturers for program events.
Manage email groups for each program.

Required Qualifications*

High School Diploma or equivalent.
3 or more years of experience organizing and coordinating events, preferably in an academic setting.
Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated commitment to customer service and creating a positive, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.
Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated attention to detail.
Proven ability to prioritize and manage large volumes of work (including planning and managing multiple, complex projects simultaneously).
The successful candidate must have the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines with a high level of interest in and ability to collaborate effectively with a wide variety of constituents (faculty, upper level administration, staff, etc.).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience with Zoom, Google, Microsoft Office suites of products.
Experience using social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for community building and event promotion.
The ability to move across campus transporting a cart of equipment, food, or other items needed for an event and move a cart weighing up to 50 pounds is required, as well as the ability to move 10-15 pounds of such items if needed. The chosen candidate must be able to set up and tear down for events including moving and arranging tables, chairs, and mobile equipment.
This position requires the ability to move materials weighing up to 25 pounds to a height of 3-4 feet and set them on tables, carts, or other surfaces.

Desired Qualifications*

Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
More than 5 years of progressively responsible experience with event planning and communications in a higher education environment.
An understanding of and an aptitude for writing about diversity, equity, and inclusion; anti-racist practice and ideas; social justice issues; and other related topics. Knowledge of languages other than English is welcome.
Working knowledge of Adobe products (including Adobe Experience Manager and Photoshop), Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite, and MailChimp.
Knowledge of the policies and procedures of the University of Michigan and the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.
Prior experience writing content for both print- and web-based outlets.
Prior experience creating and managing budgets.

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 position has an unpaid seasonal leave of absence from mid-May to mid-August in 2025. The target salary range for this position is $40,000 to $50,000 full-time rate (the annual salary range with the unpaid seasonal leave is approximately $30,000 to $37,500). A higher salary may be offered, based on equity and the selected candidate's experience.

This is a term-limited appointment through June 2026 with the possibility of renewal contingent on satisfactory performance and conduct, the availability of work, and continued funding.

The person in this position may occasionally communicate with individuals for whom English is not their first language; they must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations. Knowledge of languages other than English is welcome and desired.

Support of ethnic studies program events may require infrequent evening and weekend work with advance notice. This position works on campus most of the time with occasional remote work.

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 diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei.
To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.

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.

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 anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

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