Rachel A. Dawson
Ann Arbor,MI
Summary
Boasting over two decades of experience in departmental and academic administration, I possess a vast amount of expertise in overseeing the operations and spearheading diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Throughout my professional journey, I have consistently showcased my talent for building and maintaining exceptional teams, devising and executing successful strategies, delivering impactful programs, and crafting innovative curricula. My proven track record speaks volumes about my unwavering commitment to excellence and my dedication to cultivating an inclusive and flourishing educational atmosphere.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Director, Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI)
The University of Michigan
10.2023 - Current
- Lead the vision, mission, and strategic goals for OAMI, ensuring alignment with the University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) 2.0 Strategic Plan and Vision 2034
- Manage a staff of 15 professionals and 80+ students to carry out the daily operations of the office including collaborating with academic units, student life, state departments, and community partners to recruit, develop, and retain underrepresented students
- Provide strategic leadership for university-facing and student-facing programs related to student leadership development, student success, community engagement, and diversity programming
- Oversee the development and implementation of campus-wide initiatives promoting diversity and student success
- Manage budgets and collaborate with development teams to ensure sustainability and growth
- Partner with student organizations and marketing teams to promote diversity programming, expanding OAMI’s visibility across the University through digital and social media strategies
- Utilize data analytics to assess program effectiveness, track student engagement, and inform strategic adjustments to initiatives, ensuring alignment with OAMI's mission and the University's DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan
Managing Director of Precision Health
The University of Michigan
10.2017 - 09.2023
- Collaborated with faculty leaders to develop program strategy and strategic workplan
- Managed launch, governance, and implementation of a campus-wide initiative
- Hired, onboarded, and oversaw staff of over 20 employees while maintaining a retention rate of 90%
- Represented initiative with senior University administrators, potential donors, and external partners
- Managed budget, found efficiencies, and streamlined staff to make 3 years of funding last for 5 years
- Managed staff in the areas of communications and marketing, data analytics and information technology, research participant recruitment and community outreach
Assistant Dean of Career Services
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
02.2016 - 10.2017
- Built and enhanced employer recruiting programs
- Increased number of employers hiring the school's graduates by over 10%
- Leveraged alumni relationships to serve as mentors, mock interviewers, and recommenders
- Developed a structured professional development program
- Established and implemented strategic plans and annual goals for career planning and placement
- Analyzed employment data and market trends to identify areas of growth, refine recruiting strategies, and set data-driven goals for employer engagement and student placement outcomes
Director of Professional Development
Faegre Baker Daniels (Faegre Drinker)
06.2013 - 01.2016
- Implemented lawyer and consultant programs linking training to competency models
- Created and oversaw annual and mid-year evaluation process for associates, counsel, and consultants
- Made promotion, compensation and bonus recommendations based on performance and evaluations
- Developed and implemented associate integration plans and performance improvement plans
- Managed training team which provided business skills, legal skills, and technical skills training
- Provided career planning and counseling to over 280 associates and consultants
Director of the Young Lawyers Division
The American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
11.2009 - 06.2013
- Directed the activities and work of 8 staff members
- Provided strategic direction and procedural guidance to member leaders
- Managed entity programmatic activities including, lawyer training, committee projects, CLE programs, governance management, policy and legislative efforts, meeting planning, membership recruitment and retention initiatives, member diversification, marketing, non-dues revenue development, and publications
Associate Director of the Section of Litigation
The American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
11.2009 - 06.2013
- Managed budget of over 7.0 million dollars and monitored investments of over 7 million dollars
- Directed the activities and work of 26 staff members and developed strategic work plans
- Oversaw education, legislative, marketing, sponsorship, technology/web, and publishing projects
Adjunct Professor
The John Marshall Law School
11.2005 - 06.2013
- Developed curriculum which included skills development and substantive course knowledge
- Provided academic counseling
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence -
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
Bloomington, IN 08.1996 - 05.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 09.1991 - 08.1995
Skills
- Strategy and staff development
- Operations oversight
- Problem-solving
- Relationship building
- Program and curriculum development
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Strategy
- Verbal and written communication
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Staff training/development
- Budget Management
- Problem-solving abilities
- Performance Management
Professionalorganizations
- ABA President-Elect Committee on Law Graduate Job Creation, 2012-2013
- ABA Association Management System Selection Oversight Committee, 2011-2013
- ABA Strategic Planning Committee for Law Student Membership Development, 2010-2011
- National Association of Law Career Professionals (NALP), Midwest Regional Coordinator, 2008-2009
- Professional Development Consortium (PDC), 2013-2017
- Lex Mundi Professional Development Section, 2014-2015
- The Professional Development Consortium, Career Model Development Workgroup, 2014
- ABA, Judicial Division Lawyers Conference, Program Committee, Vice Chair, 2013
Representativepresentations
- National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE), 2021, Speaker and Panelist, University of Michigan DEI Strategic Planning Pre-Conference Seminar
- Community Engagement Studio Virtual Summit, 2021, Panelist, Engaging Community to Enhance Research
- Lex Mundi, Regional Marketing and Business Development Roundtable, 2015, Panelist, Building a Complete Curriculum: How Professional Development and Business Development Can Collaborate
Awards
- Sellers-Golden Award, Black Employee Association at the University of Michigan, 2022, In recognition of outstanding work in DEI advocacy
- Samuel S. Dargan Outstanding Alumni Award, Indiana University Maurer School of Law Black Law Student, 2016, In recognition for commitment and service to students of color
Community Service
- Bethel AME Church, Reopening Committee, 2020-2022
- Abbot Elementary School, Ice Cream Social Co-Chair, 2019-2020
- Adult church ministry leadership team, 2014-2017
- Judicial Council of the A.M.E. Zion Church, 2008-2012
- Voter Registrar and election judge, 2008-2013
- Gospel Choir, President, 2010-2013
Professionalservice
- The University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine Anti-Racism Oversight Committee, Present
- The University of Michigan, Advancing Public Safety at the University of Michigan Task Force, 2021
- The University of Michigan, University of Michigan Police Department Oversight Committee, 2020-2022
- The University of Michigan, University of Michigan CEW+ Academic Coach, 2020-2021
- Michigan Medicine, Operations and Administration Committee (OAC), Present
- Michigan Medicine, Centers and Initiatives Administrators Group, Present
- Women of Color Task Force (WCTF), Executive Team Member, Present
- The Black Employee Association at U-M, Vice President, 2019-2021
- Michigan Medicine Leadership Academy, Cohort 25, Fall 2018
Certification
Coursera Course Certificate
Leading Diverse Teams and Organizations
Timeline
Director, Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI)
The University of Michigan
10.2023 - Current
Managing Director of Precision Health
The University of Michigan
10.2017 - 09.2023
Assistant Dean of Career Services
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
02.2016 - 10.2017
Director of Professional Development
Faegre Baker Daniels (Faegre Drinker)
06.2013 - 01.2016
Director of the Young Lawyers Division
The American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
11.2009 - 06.2013
Associate Director of the Section of Litigation
The American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
11.2009 - 06.2013
Adjunct Professor
The John Marshall Law School
11.2005 - 06.2013
Doctor of Jurisprudence -
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
08.1996 - 05.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
University of Michigan
09.1991 - 08.1995
Coursera Course Certificate
Leading Diverse Teams and Organizations
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