Introducing Sweetland's New Student Services Coordinator: Jennifer Alexander
Jennifer Alexander started here at Sweetland over the summer of 2023, taking over the staff position vacated by the venerable Teri Ford. Jen's responsibilities include helping transfer students get their writing courses evaluated, overseeing the administration of the Upper-Level Writing Requirement, and maintaining student records. Jen also serves as Sweetland's Inclusive Culture Liaison to the college.
Jen moved to Ann Arbor in the summer of 2017 with her spouse and two children and spent six years working in LSA Student Academic Affairs as an academic auditor. Jen has a Ph.D. in History from Carnegie Mellon University, and over the years has been an academic advisor at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, a stay-at-home-parent, and an archives technician at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington DC. Jen grew up in New Jersey, and loves to run, sail, knit, and hang out with her family and their two aged cats. Jen is very happy to be here at Sweetland!
Introducing Sweetland's New Chief Administrator: Wayne High
Wayne joined the Sweetland Center for Writing in February 2023; he has also been with the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies as Chief Administrator since September 2010. In this role, he acts as a strategic partner to the Center Director and Department Chair. He is responsible for the management of non-instructional operations, which include budget and finance management (planning and execution); human resources (faculty and staff) appointments; facility issues; and supervision of the office staff. He serves as a liaison between the unit(s) and the College, interprets University and College policies, and develops strategic plans with the Chair/Director and staff.
During his time as a Chief Administrator he has served on a number of Councils and Committees. Within the LSA Chief Administrator Community, he has also served as the Steering Committee Chair, in addition to his regular duties. As a Chief Administrator and a steward, he has a high regard for others. Suffice it to say, he has consistently demonstrated creativity, resourcefulness, and, when required, an unconventional approach to obtain successful solutions which positively and directly impacted the mission and goals of the U-M Community. He is excited to be in Sweetland!!
In his spare time, Wayne is an avid gardener who also dabbles in many mechanical “opportunities to excel.” A native of South Carolina, he has adapted very well to Michigan and its abbreviated growing season.
