In her new capacity, Machmut-Jhashi will serve as the coordinator of the Senate Steering Committee, participate on the Academic Council and provide support for major academic initiatives, in addition to various other responsibilities.

Prior to coming to Oakland, Machmut-Jhashi taught at Indiana University Purdue University – Fort Wayne, James Madison University, Hartwick College and Maine College of Art. While at Oakland, she has served as secretary to the University Senate, chaired the senate budget committee from 2002–2005 and served on the executive committee for the Master of Arts of Liberal Studies program. She was also a member of the Meeting of the Minds Conference Committee and has sponsored several students since 2002.

Machmut-Jhashi is widely published on topics related to Russian history and art. She holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University.