Careers @ MSU

Working/Functional Title

Associate Director for Academic Programs

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Center for Global Learning and Innovation (“the Associate Director”) provides overall leadership and direction for all functions related to education abroad and special program development and management, college/unit liaisons, and portfolio development and maintenance. The position works with the Assistant Dean for Global Learning and Innovation & Executive Director of Education Abroad (“the Assistant Dean”) and the programs teams on ensuring a well-balanced education abroad and special programs portfolio, including the identification of underserved majors and academic gaps. The associate director leads the development of First-year Experience Programs and serves as the main liaison to the Office of Undergraduate Education for First-year Seminars Abroad. The position directs faculty engagement and development, working closely with the Center’s Global Teaching and Learning Specialist on Teaching, Learning and Scholarship (“TLS”) initiatives, and is responsible for academic outreach, certain faculty seminars, and certain other faculty development initiatives, such as site visits. In the absence of the Assistant Dean, and/or as directed, the Associate Director assumes oversight of the Center for Global Learning and Innovation (“the Center”). The Associate Director also represents the Center on university committees related to global learning and student success. The Associate Director will be hired on an initial 1-3 year fixed-term appointment with extension possible based on funding and performance.

Hybrid work statement: The department is currently operating under a hybrid modality structure, with staff working three days in person and two days remotely. This structure is subject to change at any time.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Program and Portfolio Development & Maintenance

• Supervise the Assistant Director, Education Abroad Programs, the Assistant Director, Special Programs, and the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU) Senior Program Coordinator
• Supervise all aspects of program development and maintenance, and college and unit relationships
• Develop, monitor, evaluate, and refine all systems, processes, policies and procedures related to program and portfolio development and maintenance (e.g., program development process, annual portfolio review and audit, etc.)
• Work closely with the Senior Assistant Director for Operations and Finance on policies and procedures related to the financial and operational wellbeing of the program portfolio
• Work with the Assistant Dean on the diversification of program types in the overall program portfolio
• Develop programs and activities and contribute to campus conversations in support of the Spartan Global Learning Initiative throughout the university  
• Administer the optional New Program Development Site visit grants.

Program Academics

• In consultation with the Assistant Dean, articulate programmatic needs and identify program priorities, goals and objectives (e.g., key academic units for early implementation)
• Meet with appropriate college/unit leadership to identify academic gaps in their program portfolios.
• In cases of mandated program interruptions (e.g., Global Safety), work with relevant academic units and the registrar’s office to ensure academic continuity for affected students
• Identify potential partners and work to expand MSU’s network of affiliations with international institutions and agencies that can meet the needs of MSU academic units by providing strong curricular matches for education abroad programs
• Annually assess goals and progress in meeting defined objectives
• Serve as the unit’s liaison to the registrar’s office

Faculty Engagement & Development

• Supervise graduate interns in the Center
• Direct the development and implementation of academic outreach activity; thematic seminars and discussion forums; and faculty/staff site visits to international partner institutions and providers
• Ensure consistent and open communication with MSU faculty members, particularly with those who direct education abroad programs (e.g., monthly memos, periodic roundtables, etc.)
• Work closely with the TLS Global Teaching and Leaning Specialist to support faculty development of global teaching strategies and in support of faculty research on global learning
• Contribute content to periodic meetings of the Advisory Council on Education Abroad (ACEA)

Unit Leadership & Management

• Provide continuous review and improvement of processes for efficiency and accuracy and assist the Assistant Dean and Senior Assistant Director with strategic planning and initiatives, budgetary oversight, personnel recruitment and training, reporting requirements, and adherence to University policies and protocols
• Assist the Assistant Dean with campus-level advocacy for global learning, which may require benchmarking research, data collection and analyses, campus presentations, serving on campus-wide committees, attending strategic meetings, and serving as the unit liaison to key campus stakeholders
• Provide leadership in ensuring smooth communication flow of leadership decisions to internal and external constituents and cross-functional workflow within the unit
• Assist the Assistant Dean in the continuous review of utilization of technology and the development of the team as professional global educators
• Provide oversight of the unit-wide Global Learning Conference
• Assist the unit by supporting the development and implementation of an effective promotion and outreach strategy for education abroad, with particular emphasis on targeting traditionally underrepresented populations
• Serve as an Ex Officio (non-voting) member of the Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC)
• Assume oversight of the unit in the absence of, and/or as directed by, the Assistant Dean

 Additional Functions

• Contribute to the professional fields of education abroad and global learning, which may include attending regional, national and international conferences each year as necessary/appropriate/fiscally feasible, leading faculty and staff site visits, serving on advisory boards or committees of external organizations relevant to education abroad, global learning and/or higher education
• Contribute to the field of education abroad and global learning, which may include producing scholarly publications, conducting outcomes assessment research, etc.

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

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

• A master’s degree in a related field and 8 years of experience of increasingly responsible work in a professional education abroad context
• International education experience, proven management and supervisory skills, experience working with faculty on program development, familiarity with program budgets and financial management, experience with contracts and agreements, education abroad/student advising experience, familiarity with intercultural learning and multiple forms of global learning such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), knowledge of curriculum integration concepts, successful promotion and outreach experience, experience contributing to university committees
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, attention to detail, time management skills, and a high degree of professionalism

Desired Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree
• Demonstrated scholarship in education abroad specifically or global learning generally
• Proven skills in outcomes assessment related to education abroad, familiarity with non-European countries and cultures, proficiency in languages other than English, knowledge of enrollment management software, knowledge of higher education marketing and recruitment practices
• Experience living, working or studying abroad

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Website

https://www.isp.msu.edu/international-centers-units/student-scholar-programs/global-learning/

Department Statement

The Center for Global Learning and Innovation is a dynamic new hub that reinforces MSU’s commitment to internationalization.

The center brings together key programs and fosters collaboration across colleges and departments while enhancing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with global learning. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and faculty development, the center provides structure and resources to drive a holistic global learning strategy that will equip Spartans with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a modern, globally connected society. 

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.