Meet the Staff

• VP Human Resources for the University
• Ensure that the University is in compliance with all applicable laws, codes, regulations, contracts and other legal documents related to the university human resources function.
• To collaborate with the University management to ensure productive and positive employee relations.
• To effectively manage labor relations, including the negotiations of bargaining unit contracts, language interpretation and implementation of agreements, and arbitration and grievance proceedings.

Staff
Emily Block Human Resources Assistant 418 Wilson Hall (248) 370-3486 emilyblock@oakland.edu	Ron Watson VP of Human Resources 418A Wilson Hall (248) 370-3487 rwatson@oakland.edu

Academic Human Resources website

Primary Duties:

Our focus is providing human resources advice and support to faculty and academic administrators regarding hiring, contract administration, reappointment, tenure and promotion process and employee and labor relations. We also partner with University Human Resources, which provides support for academic employment, benefits enrollment, payroll and leave administration.

Joi Cunningham
Assistant Vice President – Academic Human Resources
205 Wilson Hall
(248) 370-2190
cunning3@oakland.edu

Michelle Mich
Academic Human Resources Administrator
420 Wilson Hall
(248) 370-2196
mich@oakland.edu

Cathy Rush
Special Advisor
417 Wilson Hall
(248) 370-2594
rush@oakland.edu

• Recruitment services for administrative, clerical, service, police, casual and temporary positions
• New employee processing of non-faculty personnel
• Employee recognition programs
• New employee orientation
• Performance Management

Staff
Kim Crawford Office Assistant II 430 Wilson Hall (248) 370-3489 crawford@oakland.edu	Nancy Murphy Office Assistant II 431 Wilson Hall (248) 370-3499 nmrumph@oakland.edu
Tracey Zang Employment Services Manager 429 Wilson Hall (248) 370-3481 zang@oakland.edu	Monique Smith, Ed. D. Senior Employment Specialist 428 Wilson Hall (248) 370-3479 smith210@oakland.edu

• Contract interpretation
• Grievance investigations 
• Employee and labor relations management
• Unemployment compensation
• Performance improvement process

Staff

Kay Armstrong Director of Labor and Employee Relations 415 Wilson Hall (248) 370-3498 armstro2@oakland.edu

• Technical training
• Needs analysis and custom training
• Professional development
• Performance Management
• Tuition Assistance