That’s why she’ll reenter the world of student engagement on June 17. Perananamgam recently was named director of University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Office of Student Engagement (OSE) in the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Life (EMSL).
“I’ve missed working with students and mentoring them outside of the classroom,” Perananamgam said. “I’m excited to go back to the field that I truly believe is my calling and my passion.”
Perananamgam came to UM-Dearborn in 2011 as senior academic unit administrator in the School of Education (SOE). There, she oversaw operations of the Dean’s Office and the Office of Student Services and provided leadership for enrollment planning and other key issues.
“I’m thankful that SOE has been a part of my journey and I’ve enjoyed working with Dean Silver and the associate deans,” she said.
But her passion for student engagement—one that was cultivated over a decade of work—never diminished.
Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Perananamgam held a number of student affairs positions at Heidelberg University, including interim vice president of student affairs, associate dean of students, and director of student activities and leadership development. She has served as student leadership program coordinator at Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, and held several positions at DePauw University.
“ brings a rich background to her new position with 10 years of leadership, management and program execution experience in student affairs generally and student engagement specifically,” said Stanley E. Henderson, vice chancellor for enrollment management and student life.
Engagement has been the focus of Perananamgam’s work in each of her previous student affairs positions.
“There’s a feeling of ownership on the students’ part when they are engaged on campus. So the challenge is to understand how you can creatively engage students,” she said. “When you can build the bridge to what is happening in the classroom, programming becomes seamless. The entire college experience becomes a learning experience.”
Moving forward, ensuring students feel connected to campus will continue to be the priority.
“The OSE team has built a strong portfolio for the office,” she said. “I’m excited to see how we can further enhance service and programs to benefit all UM-Dearborn students.”
