EMU Today

YPSILANTI — Jolia Hill has been named director of the charter schools program at Eastern Michigan University, pending approval by the University’s Board of Regents. The appointment is effective Feb. 15, 2022.

Hill joins Eastern Michigan from Wayne RESA (regional educational service agency), where she served as manager of public school academies, Title I, Homeless and Foster Care, since 2010. At Wayne RESA, she managed public school academies authorized by the Wayne RESA Board of Education to ensure compliance with the Michigan Department of Education, and federal and charter contract-based guidelines and requirements. Prior to her 11 years with Wayne RESA, she served as supervisor of state and federal education programs for Southfield Public Schools, was a grant writer for Southfield Public Schools, administrator for the Office of Basic Sciences and Graduate Affairs at the University of Chicago, and principal financial analysis for Chicago Public Schools. 

“Jolia Hill is a dynamic K-12 education leader with deep experience that spans more than 25 years,” said Rhonda Longworth, provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Eastern Michigan University. “She brings outstanding leadership and expertise to our team and we are excited to welcome her.” 

The Charter Schools Office at Eastern Michigan University oversees 12 public school academies located in the Michigan counties of Wayne, Oakland, Washtenaw, Genesee and Saginaw. These schools offer a variety of innovative approaches to educating students.

“I am excited and humbled to join the Eastern Michigan University family,” said Hill. “I look forward to continuing the rich legacy of ensuring EMU maintains a diverse portfolio of excellent charter schools to meet the needs of K-12 students in southeastern Michigan.”

Hill’s academic background includes earning an Education Specialist in Leadership degree from Oakland University, a Masters of Public Administration from Syracuse University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at Wayne State University.  

Her annual salary will be $134,000.

She is a resident of Farmington Hills where she resides with her husband, Edward Hill Jr., a K-12 educator as well, and her three daughters, Avery, Amyre and Adyson. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.