Shannon Hennessey

Dynamic leader with extensive experience at the University of Michigan, excelling in cross-functional collaboration and budget management. Proven track record in change management and team building, successfully implementing policies that enhanced operational efficiencies and fostered a positive workplace culture. Passionate about empowering staff and students to achieve their goals.

Recipient of the “Students First Award for Diversity,” in recognition of contributions to the Safe Zone program, presented by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, April 2003., Co-recipient of an Excellence in Undergraduate Education (EUE) grant to utilize the Noel-Levitz College Student Inventory as a retention tool with students, 2007.

• Co-Presenter, “Providing Effective Advising in a Constantly Changing Environment,” NACADA National Conference, Poster Presentation, Fall 2013
• Co-Presenter, “But He’s in a Fraternity,” ACPA National Conference, March 2002
• Presenter, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective Students,” Speech 101 course, September 2013
• Co-Presenter, “Providing Effective Advising in a Constantly Changing Environment,” Professional Development Committee, September 2013
• Presenter, “Student Success at SIUE,” Summer Bridge Program, July 2013
• Co-Presenter, “Keys to Success, Working with Faculty,” Partners for Success, October 2012
• Presenter, “Creating a Parallel Plan,” Cougar Village Students, March 2012
• Co-Presenter, “Having Academic Conversations”, Residential Students, December 2011
• Presenter, “Back to Basics,” Summer Bridge Program, July 2013
• Presenter, “Creating a Parallel Plan, Pre-Pharmacy Students, February 2011
• Presenter, “Learning Styles for Parents and Children,” Cougar Village Family Housing, October 2010
• Presenter, “What Kinds of Jobs are in Student Affairs,” Student Interest Group, February 2009
• Association for Interdisciplinary Studies, October 2014
• NACADA Assessment Institute, Conceptual Level, February 2014
• NACADA Annual Conference, October 2013
• NACADA Annual Conference, October 2010
• National Resource Center, International Conference on the First Year Experience, 2007
• National Resource Center, Students in Transition, 2006
• NACADA Annual Conference, October 2005
• ACPA Annual Conference, March 2004
• GLACUHO Regional Conference, November 2003
• ACPA Annual Conference, March 2003
• GLACUHO Regional Conference, November 2002
• ACPA Annual Conference, March 2002
• GLACUHO Regional Conference, November 2001
• GLACUHO Regional Conference, November 2000

• Instructor, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois, Spring 2007 to Fall 2012
• Taught study skills class for students making an academic recovery
• Course content focused on classroom survival skills, building partnerships with faculty, and applicability of learning styles
• Taught freshman seminar class that was part of a linked learning community for under prepared students in developmental reading and writing courses
• Course content focused on transition issues, university culture, study skills, and academic and career planning
• Instructor, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Spring 2001
• Taught two career development course for freshman and sophomore students on self-assessment and career awareness
• Freshman course content included interpretation of assessments such as MBTI, early career exploration and major research
• Sophomore course content included resume writing, job search skills and internship search strategies
• Instructor, Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Michigan, Fall 2000
• Taught Freshman Seminar Course
• Course content included diversity, time management, homesickness, study skills, money management and navigating the University

• July 29, 2022
• To Whom It May Concern:
• I am writing to apply for the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs position in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts at the University of Michigan. I have reviewed the position posting on the website and believe my education and experience in higher education would align well with the position responsibilities. As you will see from my resume, I have worked in higher education for over twenty years in several functional areas including academic advising, higher education administration, and graduate education.
• I moved to the University of Michigan in 2015 to lead the Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs during a transitional period which included multiple staff transitions, expansions, two office moves and office growth and rebranding.
• While in the Office of Academic Advising, I supervised as many as fourteen advisors at one time as well as two support staff members. My scope of supervision included chairing the search committee, training new staff, providing performance feedback and recognition as well as handling disciplinary action. I was also charged with assessment and developed and led an interoffice committee on assessment that took on strategic planning. We created an office retreat and solicited feedback from our entire staff on our strengths and challenges moving forward. From this, we created small office working committees to give our staff a greater voice and revised our office mission and vision statement to better align with the mission and vision of the University.
• In July of 2014, I moved to The Graduate School. In the short time I have been there, I have been charged with leading a staff of three to revise the mission and vision of Graduate Education. I have developed strong working relationships with faculty and staff from across campus through participation on the Graduate Committee on Assessment and Graduate Programs Committee. I have also helped my supervisor to write the assessment portion of a new program proposal for the Illinois Board of Higher Education. This position has really helped me to develop stronger more collaborative relationships with faculty and has given me insight into the curriculum development process.
• I have been at SIUE for nearly 13 years. While my time in my current position has been short, my time at the University has been much longer. This opportunity at the University of Michigan is a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to my home state and therefore prompted my interest in this position with such short tenure in my current position. You will see that I spent nearly ten years in my previous department and do value longevity. I believe my current skillset, experience with strategic planning, and ability to work collaboratively with both faculty and staff, would help me to be successful as the Director of Undergraduate Student Affairs in the School of Kinesiology. I am very interested in this position and would welcome the opportunity to formally interview. I can be reached at 618-567-9791 (cell) or 618-343-1277 (home). I can also be reached via email at shannon.hennessey@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.
• Sincerely
• Shannon Hennessey