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.
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.
The Departments of Asian Languages and Cultures and Middle East Studies seek a well-qualified and highly-motivated individual to serve as the Student Services Coordinator. These two dynamic LSA departments are centers for the exploration of the humanities in Asia and the Middle East. We offer instruction in more than 15 languages and culture courses that cover thousands of years of history and a full spectrum of content that ranges from religion to food traditions.
ALC and MES are two distinct departments supported by a group of six to seven shared staff and two department specific staff. The role is hybrid with on-site expectations in Ann Arbor, MI 3 days per week. The Student Services Coordinator will primarily focus on providing support, direction, and resources to two undergraduate programs, two PhD programs, and one Master's level program. Specific job duties are detailed below.
The position is the primary contact for prospective and current undergraduate students, faculty, and department visitors regarding the policies and procedures of the programs, milestones, student awards, and degree completion. As well as a secondary point of contact for graduate students and faculty. Therefore, an enthusiastic, welcoming, and engaging personality is critical.
Key Responsibilities:
Undergraduate Program Support (50%)
- Manage all responses and inquiries to the department's undergraduate email inboxes especially regarding inquiries for the major, minor, admissions, advising, etc.
- Manage recipients, content, and delivery of regular newsletters for the undergraduate department population
- Support and maintain the content of undergraduate web pages and handouts
- Maintain individual student files and/or major and minor specific participation, enrollment, and engagement documentation and data files
- Maintain and process department undergraduate declaration paperwork, communication in departmental internship credit program and honor thesis program, and other academic initiatives
- Oversee the department's placement test structure and process in coordination with the Language Program Directors
- Input, submit, correct, and process student awards, funding, benefits eligibility paperwork, and financial awards for undergraduate students. As well as serving as a secondary resource for the graduate program.
- Assist and collaborate with the Curriculum and Student Services Manager and Director of Undergraduate Studies to plan and coordinate events that build a sense of community among undergraduate students, including but not limited to prospective student visits, alumni panels, movie screenings, information sessions, cultural fairs, social events, and award and graduation ceremonies
Departmental Academic Advising (20%)
- Triage walk-in or call-in advising concerns, including answering basic advising questions and providing referrals to the Director of Undergraduate Studies and faculty advisor(s) or other campus advising and support resources.
- Design, facilitate, and lead onboarding and training experiences for new and returning faculty advisors with general, student success, and/or academic advising responsibilities, ensuring a comprehensive and supportive transition.
- Cultivate partnerships with LSA Newnan Advising Center, and LSA advising units including Honors, Residential College, and Comprehensive Studies Program, to develop and facilitate training and marketing opportunities that strengthen collaboration and shared advising practices that highlight ALC and MES curriculum and resources
- Serve as liaison to LSA Newnan Advising and other LSA units like CGIS and the Opportunity Hub
- Advise students with in-person/phone/video appointments and email on topics such as investigating a major/minor, course selection and registration,study abroad/transfer credit, releases and other academic matters.
- Assist and serve as a contact for students with unanticipated time-sensitive situations, communicating with students, faculty, and other University units to provide students with support and appropriate resources.
Communication, Marketing, & Event Planning (15%)
- Organize, conduct, and implement quarterly information sessions and/or promotional sessions for prospective and newly declared majors and minors
- Manage and oversee undergraduate event marketing and social media accounts associated with ALC & MES while working in collaboration with the Communications Team
- Advertise, manage, and disburse undergraduate and graduate award/scholarship opportunities
Recommend, implement, promote, and departmental courses and evaluate program initiatives, the impact of event marketing, and community outreach
Departmental Administrative Support (Curriculum/Instructional & Graduate Program Support) (15%)
- Serve as a admin support including answering the main office telephone line and handling walk-in traffic
- Participate in regular staff and team meetings and contribute to program enhancements as needed
- Secondary contact for inquires to the department's graduate and/or curriculum email inboxes when the Graduate Coordinator or Curriculum Coordinator is unavailable
- Provide additional support to the Curriculum Coordinator with the time schedule process, overrides, enrollment concerns, and processing independent study requests
Provide additional support the the Graduate Coordinator for graduation admissions with managing application files, preparing data for the Graduate Program Committee or faculty meetings, scheduling interviews, recruitment visits, and final result decisions
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- A high school diploma, associate degree or progressively responsible work experience.
- At least 1-2 years working in an academic, administrative, or student services position.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and public speaking and ability to communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Demonstrated ability to successfully project plan, envisioning the entire scope of a project and then seeing it though from beginning to end
- Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities. Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies in LSA; we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact and sensitively communicate with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity.
- Excellent organization, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously with accuracy and independent judgment and diplomacy, while responding to email, phone, and walk-in inquiries in a timely manner with a positive service-oriented attitude.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with individuals at all levels, including but not limited to staff, faculty, prospective and current students, and families.
- Demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and discretion, while maintaining privacy and professionalism in all interactions.
- Proficiency in web-based technologies and command of workplace technology tools. Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs/Sheets). Familiarity with video conferencing platforms such as Canva, Adobe Express, Zoom and Google Meet and demonstrated motivation to find and use new software to enhance major projects.
- This position routinely sets up and breaks down rooms for events with the ability to move promotional materials weighing up to 50lbs to various locations across campus.
- A Bachelor's degree
- An understanding and appreciation of higher education and the diverse cultures of the schools and colleges within the University.
- Prior background in advising students of program requirements and problem resolution is highly desired.
- Familiarity with Google applications, social media platforms, and general marketing and communications practices
- Basic familiarity with FERPA and experience using M-Pathways and various LSA systems including MRS,curriculum modules in Wolverine Access, student advising file, student award and benefit entry, and hiring.
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.
The salary range for this position is $40,400 to $50,500; please note that a higher salary may be offered based on equity and the selected candidate's experience.
As one of the world's great liberal arts and sciences 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 LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision.
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.
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.
September 4, 2026
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.