MICHEP Executive Director

Position Title: Executive Director/President, Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP)

Classification: Salaried: Exempt

Reports To: Steering Committee / Board of Directors

Employment Type: Full-Time, In-person 40 hours per week

Salary: The target salary range for this role is $75,000 to $90,000. This range is informed by an external compensation analysis of the job description and aligned with our progressive Compensation Policy, which is rooted in pay equity. We determine starting salaries within the established range based on relevant qualifications and experience. To uphold equity and consistency, we do not negotiate salaries. Research shows that traditional salary negotiation practices often contribute to inequities, disproportionately impacting women and people of color, and our approach is designed to help mitigate those disparities. 

 After the first year of employment, the initial salary may be increased, at the discretion of MCAN and the MiCHEP Steering Committee, through a structured review process based on success in securing new funding and hitting Key Performance Indicators. 

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, 13 paid holidays, 6 weeks fully paid maternity/paternity/adoption leave, employee assistance program, downtown Lansing parking permit and cell phone reimbursement.

Location: Michigan (Hybrid: combination of remote work and in-person meetings; periodic travel across Michigan required to member institutions, correctional facilities, and partner organizations). Physical office space is possible at the Lansing location of the Michigan College Access Network.

About MiCHEP

The Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison (MiCHEP) is a membership organization of colleges, universities, and partners dedicated to improving the lives of incarcerated individuals through opportunities to earn college degrees and certificates, advancing reentry success, reducing recidivism, and strengthening communities. MiCHEP collaborates with the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), and other bodies to share best practices, provide technical assistance, help review prison higher education program applications, improve data collection, and advocate for policy changes to support incarcerated student success and educational equity.

Position Summary

The Executive Director/President/CEO is the chief executive officer of the Consortium and will provide strategic leadership, manage daily operations, represent MiCHEP to external stakeholders, lead fundraising and resource development, ensure effective collaboration among members, and guide the organization in fulfilling its mission. The person in this role will work closely with the Steering Committee/Board to translate MiCHEP’s strategic plan into actionable initiatives, ensure financial health, oversee staff and contractors, and serve as a public face and advocate for higher education in prison in Michigan.

Key Responsibilities

Below are the primary duties expected of the Executive Director/President/CEO. This is not exhaustive and may evolve as the Consortium grows.

Qualifications

Below are the desired qualifications for the Executive Director/President. The ideal candidate may not have every trait listed, but should bring a strong mix and be committed to growing into areas of needed expertise.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in higher education, public policy, nonprofit management, social justice, or related field. (Master’s preferred)
• At least 5-8 years of professional experience with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role in a nonprofit, membership organization, professional association, higher education, criminal justice / corrections, prison education, reentry, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing programs affecting incarcerated or justice-involved populations, or working with correctional institutions.
• Proven success securing grants/funding, managing budgets, and providing financial oversight.
• Experience with policy/advocacy work, engaging government agencies and legislators.
• Experience connecting multiple stakeholders (e.g., institutions, corrections, students, community orgs).
   
   

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Deep commitment to the mission of access to higher education for incarcerated people, and belief in education’s role in rehabilitation and reintegration.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking skills.
• Excellent communication ability — both oral and written; comfortable speaking publicly; able to tailor messaging to different audiences (students, institutions, corrections, policymakers).
• Collaborative style; ability to build consensus, foster partnerships, facilitate shared decision-making.
• High integrity; strong ethical compass; sensitivity to justice, equity, and inclusion.
• Cultural competence; experience working with marginalized populations, understanding trauma, incarceration, barriers to reentry.
• Ability to manage complexity; skilled at juggling multiple projects, deadlines, stakeholders.
• Skilled in data-driven decision making; able to oversee collection, interpretation, and dissemination of metrics and outcomes.
   
   

Working Conditions & Expectations

• Full-time position.^[2]
• Some travel across Michigan required—for visits to correctional facilities, member institutions, partners. 
• Must be able to be LEIN-cleared by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC).
• Successfully complete any required MDOC training requirements.
• Flexibility in work hours; occasional evening or weekend work as needed for events, meetings, or legislative sessions.
• Remote-capable work, but with expectation of periodic in-person meetings and presence at key events.
• Commitment to confidentiality, especially in working with incarcerated students and institutional partners.
   
   

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Some sample metrics by which performance might be evaluated include:

• Progress toward goals in the strategic plan (program expansion, quality improvements, partnerships).
• Growth in membership, or in the number of institutions offering programs through MiCHEP.
• Volume and quality of funding secured; financial sustainability.
• Data on student outcomes: enrollment, retention, graduation, post-release success or reentry results.
• Policy or legislative wins or influence.
• Initiation and sustaining of new projects.
• Engagement of incarcerated/formerly incarcerated students in leadership roles.
• Stakeholder satisfaction (members, partner institutions, MDOC, students).
• Participation in state and national organizations linked to MiCHEP’s mission
   

MiCHEP Executive Director Prospectus

MiCHEP is committed to inclusive excellence and strongly encourages participation by individuals with lived experience of incarceration. Accordingly, persons with lived experience of incarceration are especially encouraged to apply.

^{[1] This position is funded for three years by a grant from the Mellon Foundation. Ongoing employment is dependent on satisfactory performance and successful fundraising sufficient to fund the position beyond the grant period.}

^{[2]. Michigan College Access Network serves as fiscal agent for MiCHEP. As such, the MiCHEP Executive Director will be an MCAN employee until such time as the fiscal agent relationship between MCAN and MiCHEP changes.}

^{MCAN is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.}