Working/Functional Title
Experiential Learning & Workforce Dev. Specialist
Position Summary
Michigan State University actively promotes a dynamic research and learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
ABOUT THE A-CAPP CENTER
The Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection is located in the College of Social Science since 2009. The Center focuses on research, education and outreach related to brand protection and anti-counterfeiting from a multidisciplinary perspective. It is the leading academic center globally on this issue and engages with the public and private sector, regularly. Since 2020, A-CAPP Center has engaged with more than 500 organizations globally, including multi-national brands, technology and service providers, investigators, law enforcement, government agencies, non-profit organizations, e-commerce platforms and other academics. The Center also regularly engages in media requests, external presentations and training, and other publicly facing events external to MSU.
The Center has an industry advisory board and 4 brand protection councils that align with the Center’s strategic thematic areas. In March of 2025, the Center relaunched its Brand Protection Professional Certificate program, after over 5000 courses had been taken on the original one. The certificate is designed primarily for the brand protection community but is also used to help train the future workforce in brand protection—students. The A-CAPP Center also runs a small internship program.
The Center has a small, dynamic team that works in a fast-paced environment, navigating academia while responding to the speed of the private sector. Given the nature of our external engagement, we work in a hybrid environment. The Center is also almost entirely self-sustaining, meaning that the success of the Center’s programs and performance of the team, directly impacts funding for future salaries and projects.
POSITION DETAILS
The Experiential Learning and Workforce Development Specialist is responsible for the A-CAPP Center’s academic and professional educational programming, with a strategic focus on developing and sustaining the current and future global brand protection workforce.
This role involves executing and managing the Center’s educational programs while implementing a range of duties to develop and maintain strategic initiatives. The Experiential Learning and Workforce Development Specialist will cultivate and strengthen connections with both internal MSU stakeholders and external partners, including industry leaders, law enforcement agencies, government entities, academic institutions, and other relevant organizations.
A key component of this position is promoting and expanding awareness of the Center’s educational offerings. The Professional and Academic Education Specialist will foster collaborative relationships and ensure the effective delivery of outreach activities that align with the Center’s mission to advance education and research in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting, including revenue generation for program support.
This position is an annual fixed term academic appointment (as an academic specialist-outreach) with a potential for reappointment based on performance and funding. Performance will be measured in part based on success of program metrics, as well as revenue generation. To learn more on academic specialist positions at MSU, visit https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/faculty-academic-staff/academic-specialist-handbook/index.html
Outreach (90%)
The Specialist will:
- Lead, develop, and grow A-CAPP Center education programming, including but not limited to, the Brand Protection Professional Certificate, executive and professional education programming, online educational events, outreach related to educational programming, the student internship/externship program, and development and delivery of academic course offerings across MSU on brand protection topics. Lead programming for the annual summit related to the Center’s educational goals and offerings,
- Work with other team members to translate the Center's research and knowledge into practical application and education opportunities for professionals in the field and generate revenue for the Center, in line with the Center’s strategic plan. Play a role in peer group organizations and professional societies, such as the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, the International Trademark Association, and others in the anti-counterfeiting and brand protection field to focus on A-CAPP’s educational efforts that further the outreach mission of the Center,
- Engage in professional activities related to curriculum development and teaching excellence, career services and related topics as needed to create Center programming that is current with best pedagogical and career development practices.
- Lead engagement with relevant stakeholders in academia at MSU and other universities regarding educational programs and opportunities with the director of the Center and other Center staff on outreach and research both in the U.S. and globally.
- Manage and grow the Center's non-credit educational offerings and experiential learning offerings, such as the student internship curriculum and mentoring projects and scholarships, as they fit into the Center's strategic priorities to keep them relevant and timely for the current and future workforce of brand protection.
- Evaluate and measure all educational offerings (both for MSU students and external audiences) for planning and development efforts.
- Efficiently and effectively manage the education programs of the center, including outreach related to education, revenue generation, and management of educational programming, managing any relevant Center projects and managing applicable stakeholder engagement.
- Contribute and assist other A-CAPP Center outreach efforts as needed.
Teaching (10%) - to start Fall semester of 2026
The Specialist will:
- Lead instruction of the experiential education courses offered through the College of Social Science and based on A-CAPP Center materials. Serve as the instructor of record and/or teach portions of credit courses in brand protection, including teaching and related class preparation, grading, student evaluation, etc.
- The course is a new course and will roll out in the Fall of 2025 and will be taught by another A-CAPP Center staff member. The first time this position will perform the teaching role will be Fall of 2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Masters
Desired Degree
Other
Minimum Requirements
Education: Master’s or other advanced degree.
Experience: Minimum 3-5 years (combined actual or experiential education) in:
- Project management, curriculum development, or similar educational roles.
- Stakeholder engagement across academic, industry, or public sector fields.
- Stakeholder engagement across academic, industry, or public sector fields.
Core Skills:
- Strong initiative, ability to make decisions in ambiguous situations, and drive results.
- Adaptability in a fluid and sometimes unstructured environment; ability to pivot quickly.
- Ability to thrive in high-pressure settings, problem-solve, and navigate obstacles.
- Clear, assertive communication and ability to foster engagement across teams.
Networking & Collaboration:
- Demonstrated ability to engage with diverse stakeholders, including academic, industry, government, and law enforcement professionals in the U.S. and abroad.
- Demonstrates Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Cultural Intelligence (CQ) in professional interactions.
Public Speaking & Training:
- Capable of presenting educational programming to varied audiences, including undergraduate classrooms, corporate executives, and international conferences.
Travel:
- Ability to travel (10%) for programming and events in the U.S. and abroad.
Desired Qualifications
The following qualifications are preferred in addition to the minimum:
Experience: Minimum 5-10 years (combined actual or experiential education) in:
- Project/program coordination and management.
- Curriculum development or educational programming.
- Extensive networking across academic, corporate, and policy sectors.
Additional Expertise:
- Strong ability to manage shifting priorities and deadlines in a hybrid work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to be able to represent the Center publicly, including speaking to media and external organizations.
- Deep knowledge of trademarks, intellectual property issues, and enforcement strategies.
- Terminal degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in a related field relevant to brand protection.
Required Application Materials
Applicants are required to submit the following materials at the time of application to be considered:
- Resume or C.V.,
- Cover letter,
- Statement of Interest of Philosophy and Outlook on Outreach and Teaching
- Three current business references, including name, telephone number, and email address, company name and how the candidate knows them.
Review of Applications Begins On
08/26/2025
Remote Work Statement
MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.
Website
a-capp.msu.edu
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
