Sascha Matish is the next associate vice provost and senior director of Academic Human Resources at the University of Michigan. Her appointment was approved June 20 by the Board of Regents.
A search advisory committee of faculty and staff assisted in the recruitment and selection process. Matish has served as interim head of Academic Human Resources since October 2018.
Matish came to U-M in 2008 after roles in the Office of the General Counsel at Wayne State University, and in private practice handling labor and employment matters. At U-M, she served as a senior academic labor representative, associate director and most recently interim senior director in Academic Human Resources.
“We will benefit from Sascha’s experience and her commitment,” said Sara Blair, vice provost for academic and faculty affairs. “She has been an effective representative and a valued partner, providing leadership and guidance across the university’s diverse academic units.”
The role includes universitywide oversight for programs, policies and procedures for instructional and primary faculty. That includes graduate student instructors, graduate student research assistants and graduate student staff assistants.
“Academic HR advises schools and colleges on a wide range of complex policies and procedures impacting faculty, and Sascha’s broad expertise and collaborative style are deeply valuable,” said Lori Pierce, vice provost for academic and faculty affairs.
Academic HR also administers the faculty grievance procedure, and manages the promotion process and a range of procedures and processes for academic employees. It also is responsible for negotiating and administering contracts for the Lecturers’ Employee Organization and the Graduate Employees’ Organization. In total, it serves more than 14,000 faculty members, graduate student employees and research fellows.
“Sascha has deep institutional knowledge and a proven record of collaborating across the university. Her experience will help the academic enterprise be even more successful,” said Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for human resources.
“I am very honored to be selected to lead the university’s Academic Human Resources office,” said Matish. “I look forward to working with the various members of the university community on issues impacting faculty, graduate student assistants and others.”
Matish earned her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University and her law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
