ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Director of Higher Education Innovation is a new position to Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) that will co-develop and lead the organization’s strategies focused on systems change across Michigan’s higher education institutions. Under the supervision of the Deputy Director, the Director of Higher Education Innovation serves as a senior leader and supports various initiatives and projects focused across the higher education sector aligned to MCAN’s strategic plan which expands the organizational scope to include a dedicated focus on college completion. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, technically-capable, detail oriented, and has the ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced, innovative environment. Having a tolerance for ambiguity, risk-taking, and an adventuresome outlook will help ensure success within MCAN’s work and culture. A strong commitment and understanding of the role of college access and success in addressing racism and equity is essential. Essential to this role is an understanding of Michigan’s higher education structure and an interest in empowering stakeholders engaged in Michigan’s existing network. This leader understands the vital role of a student support staff and the importance of administrative leadership and faculty buy-in to ensure Michigan’s vast higher education landscape is student-ready.
The Director will work hand-in-hand with leaders across all Michigan higher education institutions, inclusive of community colleges, tribal colleges, and public and private 4-year colleges and universities, who are working toward increasing successful postsecondary educational outcomes for Michigan’s residents. The director understands the pivotal role higher education systems play in transforming a community’s prosperity and an individual’s economic independence. This leader will have a broad understanding of Michigan’s diverse higher education institutions and their differing needs.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director of Higher Education Innovation performs a wide range of duties including, but not limited to, the following:
Strategic Leadership and Expertise
▪ Lead and oversee MCAN’s Higher Education Innovation strategy and department: Support the build-out of the new strategy, staffing structure, and oversee departmental budget.
▪ Seek opportunities to leverage and transform the higher education sector as a strategy to increase college access and success internally and with partner organizations.
▪ Lead efforts to achieve MCAN’s strategic plan goals within the higher education sector to increase college access and success.
▪ Gather and analyze pertinent data to use in decision-making, program design, and presentations.
▪ Work with the Deputy Director and Executive Director to ensure appropriate funding for the department and its programs.
▪ Create and advance the higher education focused portfolio of work that you will lead, be responsible for, and manage.
Programmatic Oversight
▪ Lead the expansion of the Roadmap to Opportunity series focused on highlighting education pathways for in-demand, high-wage careers through video, printed collateral, and professional development.
▪ Development of a higher education systems change-focused grant strategy including ongoing support and coaching to the grantees.
▪ Support the development of a strategy to reach and engage students who did not enroll in college or stopped-out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
▪ Lead in the creation and execution of a summer melt prevention strategy.
▪ Provide support and lend expertise and guidance to the College Completion Corps program led by the Service Strategy department.
▪ Plan, build, and launch the next phase of MCAN’s work focused on K-12 and Higher Education partnerships prioritizing education transitions, developmental education, and placement reform and student success, in partnership with the High School Innovation department.
Equity and Inclusion
▪ Help to build an anti-racist internal and external culture.
▪ Employ Targeted Universalism to move the needle on MCAN’s college access and success dashboard metrics.
▪ Lead in the development and continuous improvement of initiatives and strategies across the organization designed to focus on opportunity and systemic gaps, specifically those impacting low-income students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color.
Partnership and Coordination
▪ Build and maintain relationships with key national, state, and local partners including higher education professional and membership associations.
▪ Strengthen and deepen relationships within higher education institutions alongside the Deputy Director and Executive Director.
▪ Lead a strategy focused on advocating, persuading, and convincing higher education institutions to implement the systemic changes necessary to support students through to completion.
▪ Ensure programming and activity within the department is aligned, connected and representative of the organization and its mission.
▪ Work with and support Local College Access Networks, Promise Zones, and other partner
organizations to assist their efforts.
▪ Attend MCAN’s board of directors meetings and represent the Higher Education Innovation strategy.
ABOUT MICHIGAN COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK
MCAN is an equity-focused organization and values having broad, diverse representation and inclusivity on our team. This is critical to provide perspectives and lived experiences to help guide our work to have the greatest impact. We especially encourage people of color and first-generation college graduates to apply. Since our founding a decade ago, MCAN has known that college changes everything — and perhaps even more critical to our mission is the belief that college is for everyone. We do what it takes to provide students in Michigan with a brighter long-term future, through college access and postsecondary certificate and degree attainment: doing the research, talking to agents of change, connecting resources, being a changemaker. Why? By encouraging Michigan residents to earn postsecondary certificates and degrees, we not only help them earn more and promote their well-being — we also strengthen Michigan's talent pool, retain and attract businesses to the state and stimulate Michigan's economy in the process.
Through college access, we are also able to promote equity in our state. We work to ensure that every student in Michigan has the opportunity to attend college — especially low-income students, first-generation college- going students and students of color.
VISION AND VALUES
College is postsecondary education
We use the term college to refer to attainment of education beyond high school, including postsecondary
certificates and academic degrees.
College is a necessity
Postsecondary attainment dramatically increases an individual’s economic independence in a knowledge-
based economy.
College is for everyone
We work toward changing the systems that perpetuate inequities in postsecondary attainment.
College is a public good
Postsecondary attainment is critical to a just and equitable society, strong economy, thriving democracy, and
healthy communities.
For more information, visit https://micollegeaccess.org
Salary: $75,000-$90,000
Benefits: Full benefits package includes platinum health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance. Also includes education support program, employee development program, 403b retirement plan (with standard 4% employer contribution and up to an additional 3% match), 240 hours of PTO, paid holidays, paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave, employee assistance program (providing resources to support employees with finances, legal issues, mental health and more including free professional consultations) and a fun, engaging work environment.