Job Description

Who We Are
The Digital Studies Institute (UMDSI) within the University of Michigan´s College of Literature, Science, and the Arts is seeking an experienced, highly motivated, and organized team member to help guide and implement the Mellon Foundation-funded DISCO (Digital Inquiry, Speculation, Critique, and Optimism) Network.

The Digital Studies Institute is a center for research and dialogue where faculty, students, and visitors focus their inquiry on technology, digital culture, and social justice, and foregrounds questions about the impacts of technology on race, disability, gender, sexuality, class, power, and identity.

The mission of DISCO is to build a national network to both analyze the ways that the digital perpetuates existing social and racial inequalities and envision a new anti- racist, anti-ableist digital future through a speculative, experimental, nuanced, and critical lens. We are a consortium of faculty-led labs at three universities: U-Michigan, U-Maryland, and Northwestern, coordinated through Michigan´s Digital Studies Institute. Professor Lisa Nakamura is the DISCO grants Principal Investigator and coordinates the Digital Optimism Lab. This position provides administrative and programmatic support for Professor Nakamura and her lab. They will report to the DISCO Network Administrator Ann Smith.
Responsibilities*
The Administrative Assistant provides logistical assistance to Lisa Nakamura for the work of the Nakamura Digital Optimism Labs activities. This includes managing the Professor Nakamuras calendar, scheduling DISCO network meetings and events, preparing and distributing meeting agendas, and taking effective meeting minutes (including identifying resulting decisions, action items, assignments, and next steps).
Work collaboratively with the staff the three other DISCO lab staff (at Michigan, Maryland, and Northwestern), as well as the staff working at the Network Hub, to ensure project and programming moves forward, all parties are kept updated, and project outcomes are documented appropriately.
Assist in the execution of network meetings, programming, and conferences.
Maintain a variety of records using project shared drives and other electronic filing systems.
Reconcile select accounts, purchasing card and other hosting expenses using Chrome River,
Assist in updating existing content on the DISCO website.
Manage DISCO Network general email.
Act as a contributing member of the DSI/DISCO team, providing backup and support as needed.
Manage other ad hoc projects as required.
Required Qualifications*
High School diploma required.
At least 2 years of experience providing administrative/secretarial support to a senior executive.
Strong interpersonal, oral, written communications, and conflict resolution skills.
Strong project management, strategic planning, and peer-influencing skills
Comfort working in an unstructured environment.
A high level of problem-solving skills, including demonstrated ability to anticipate next steps based on multiple inputs and prioritize decisions.
Demonstrated organizational skills, including ability to plan, organize, and follow through on a large and diverse workload, while attending to detail and meeting deadlines.
A high level of self-motivation in developing and executing a personal program of work that enhances the activities, impact, and reputation of the Digital Studies Institute and the DISCO Network.
Knowledge and commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Desired Qualifications*
Experience working with faculty, high-level executives, or nonprofit leaders.
Bachelor's degree.