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.

Since the 1870s, scholars from the University have been engaged in research, education, service, and politics relating to South Asia (SA). The Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS) is home to a national center for language training and area-related studies in a wide range of disciplines.

CSAS is seeking an individual to serve as the Academic Program Specialist for the unit. The Academic Program Specialist will work closely with the Center Director and Cluster Manager to develop and implement programming activities that will serve the U-M community and beyond. The Academic Program Specialist is a central figure of the center who can work independently and in team settings to support faculty and center-led initiatives.

This position has a dual reporting relationship; primary functional supervision provided by the Cluster Manager and academic direction for the center is provided by Center Director.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position that may occasionally require evening and weekend work hours.

• Assist CSAS director with annual planning, developing the program calendar, coordinating SA-related meetings, and tracking progress on report and decision deadlines.
• Support CSAS director with completing twice-yearly Title VI annual reports and other ad hoc requests; compiling data and working with International Institute (II) Evaluation Manager on shared data requests, drafting reports, and entering data through the grant portal
• Coordinate meetings with faculty and stakeholders for collaborations and projects
• Adhere to financial stewardship policies and practices in accordance to U-M, LSA, and Dept. of Education regulations and donor intent in consultation with the Cluster Manager, the LSA Finance office, and other units
• Monitor expenditures and financial commitments with Cluster Manager and LSA Finance Office
• Coordinate invitations and subsequent visa and university affiliation processes for visiting scholars with the Cluster Manager and other units
• Serve as first point of contact for the Center, monitoring the Center's inbox and triaging inquiries to appropriate faculty/staff members
• Coordinate external communications with CSAS Communications Representative, and provide reports and data as needed
• Maintain internal controls and good stewardship of all university resources

Center Programming and Event Planning

• Maintain and keep CSAS programming calendar current
• Coordinate annual CSAS Friday Lecture Series, including issuing invitations on behalf of the director, scheduling speakers, and arranging speaker travel as well as plan event logistics, including venue, refreshments, tech support, and set-up and break-down
• Support annual conferences, including coordinating speaker travel in collaboration with faculty or student organizers, arranging venue and tech support, and hosting
• Ensure accurate and timely follow-up after each event, ensuring payments and reimbursements for guest expenses and vendors are processed, and serving as a central point of contact between units and external partners
• Support any special event requests for CSAS Film Series with director, series curator, and Michigan Theater
• Coordinate event promotion and publicity with Center and II staff and external vendors

Academic and Student Services

• Coordinate CSAS scholarship and fellowship competitions, working with the II Academic Services team to open applications and collate applicant data, Center and II staff to publicize awards, and the II Academic Services team to ensure award letters are completed and funds are disbursed
•  Coordinate admissions committee meetings for the SA concentration in the II?s Master's in International and Regional Studies (MIRS)
• Support student initiatives such as planning info sessions and other supporting events like the Summer in South Asia Symposium, and responding to funding requests for student events and programs
• Provide assistance to MIRS for SA students at II events such as campus visits and graduation 

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant international studies field or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Familiarity with academic program administration and event planning
• Demonstrated excellence in communication
• Demonstrated organizational, time management, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with colleagues, donors, and government officials
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

•  Master's degree in a relevant international studies field or equivalent combination of education and work experience is preferred
• Experience with South Asia is preferred
• Previous experience in program and managing academic events
• Two years of experience with University of Michigan organization, practices, policies and procedures

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.

The salary range for this position is $44,600 to $55,700, please note a higher salary may be offered, based on equity and the selected candidate's experience.

This is a term-limited position for two and a half years with a possibility of renewal for an additional year, contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance. 

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.

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.

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.

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

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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