Director of International Student Services

Purpose:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Student Development the Director of International Student Services coordinates the development and directs the implementation of programs to retain and support international students from their transition as incoming students through their time on campus and continuing through any authorized postgraduate training programs.

This role ensures the college adheres to obligations and regulations related to participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and acts as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO).

This is an inperson role.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Plans and coordinates programs to support the transition to Knox for international students including predeparture advising transportation to campus an optional summer intensive English language program an international preorientation program and ongoing orientation throughout the first year on campus.
2. Assists students in understanding and navigating the American college culture educational system teaching methods expectations of academic honesty and related transitional needs.
3. Develops campus programming to promote intercultural learning and the internationalization of the Knox community including assisting the International Club with the annual International Fair.
4. Serves as the Principal Designated School Official for students on F visas and a responsible officer for those on other visas and advises students on issues related to visa regulations and maintenance of their visa status:
   • Maintains immigration records in the federal Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Monitors federal regulations and establishes institutional practices to ensure compliance provide training for College staff with SEVIS responsibilities and ensure that the College completes all requirements to retain certification of eligibility to enroll international students.
   • Assists students with issues related to employment including attainment of Social Security Numbers Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT).
5. Works closely with Career and Preprofessional Development staff to assist the students with experiential learning (internships) and postgraduation opportunities (graduate school employment) and ensure proper work authorization and regulatory compliance.
6. Coordinates a host family program to more fully expose international students to American family culture provide them with a greater network of support and share the rich diversity of Knox with the greater Galesburg community. Recruits selects and trains volunteers to serve as host families.
7. Assists in the recruitment of international students including the possibility of representing Knox occasionally at recruitment events and college fairs and helping to maintain relationships with college counselors at international high schools.
8. Helps international students understand their financial obligations the timely payment of bills and how to manage the costs of college. Advises international students on their U.S. income tax responsibilities and the completion of appropriate tax documents/returns.
9. Advocates for international students on campus by serving on committees where representation and support of international students is needed as well as interacting with various offices and departments on matters related to international students. Manages the operational budgets for the international student services office international student preorientation and the summer language program.
10. Serves as advisor to cultural clubs on campus as time allows.
11. Supervises the Assistant Director of International Student Services.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to read analyze and interpret professional publications technical procedures and government regulations
• Ability to write business correspondence reports and procedures.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work manage complex tasks and complete multiple projects in a timely manner work independently.
• Ability to lead and facilitate collaboration in groups of individuals from wideranging backgrounds. Ability to solicit train and coordinate the efforts of volunteers both within and outside the College.
• Personal qualities include strong appreciation for residential liberal arts education; respect for individual differences; an openness to values and opinions of others; an ability to motivate and inspire colleagues; and the resourcefulness flexibility and initiative to adapt to constant change.

Standards of Performance:

• Programs and services are delivered in an exemplary timely and effective manner that focuses on providing the highest quality experience for our students.
• Current and prospective students receive prompt knowledgeable professional and timely information related to their visa application and status requirements for compliance with federal and institutional requirements for maintaining their status and opportunities for completion of OPT and CPT experiences.
• Emails phone calls services and other requests from current students prospective students and college staff are responded to in a professional thorough and timely manner.
• Assigned projects and additional tasks are handled proactively and are welldocumented for future planning and reference.
• Delivery of services contributes to a high retention rate for international students consistent with overall retention and graduation rates of the college.
  
  

Minimum Education Required:

Bachelors degree required. Masters degree preferred.

Minimum Experience Required:

35 years of experience in international admission retention and/or student services.

Significant experience living working or traveling internationallyor significant experience working with persons of other cultures and nationalities.

Experience with the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) system and strong understanding of federal regulations and procedures with regard to F and J student visas and immigration.

Minimum Licenses/Certifications Required:

• A valid drivers license
• Must meet eligibility requirements to be a Designated School Official (DSO) as determined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by being either a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Additional Qualifications:(Preferred qualifications)

• A valid passport.
• Hours can be varied as the need for support of students may dictate especially but not limited to the academic year. This position entails working evenings and weekends on occasion.

Summary Pay Range: Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors job level market location jobrelated knowledge skills individual performance and experience. Please note that pay is only one component of total compensation.

Benefits:

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

FSA/ HSA/ FSA Dependent Care

Employer Paid Basic Life & LTD

Voluntary Life

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Employee Assistance Program

Parental Leave

Notice of NonDiscrimination

In keeping with its commitment to equal rights since it was founded in 1837 Knox College particularly welcomes applications from members of underrepresented groups. Knox College does not discriminate on the basis of sex pregnancy gender identity or expression race color creed national or ethnic origin religion or religious affiliation sexual orientation or preference age marital or family status disability veteran status or other status protected by applicable federal state or local law in admission financial aid employment athletics or any other aspect of its educational programs or activities. In addition Knox College is prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and its accompanying regulations from so discriminating on the basis of sex.

The College official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of NonDiscrimination is the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the Colleges policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment should be directed to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance identified below. The coordinator will be available to meet with or talk to students staff and faculty regarding issues relating to this Notice of NonDiscrimination and the Colleges policies and procedures.

Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance

Old Jail 12 Campus Box K209

337 South Cherry Street

Galesburg IL 61401

Phone:

Email:

Inquiries about the application of Title IX to Knox may be referred to the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance the United States Department of Educations Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights for additional information.

Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of EducationChicago Office

500 W Madison St. Suite 1475

Chicago IL

Phone:

Email:

Inquiries regarding the Colleges policies regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504 should be directed to either the Human Resources Manager or Director of Disability Support Services identified below.

For Employees:

Human Resources

Administrative Services Bldg 112 Campus Box K200

2 East South Street

Galesburg IL 61401

Phone:

Email:

For Students:

Director of Disability Support Services

Stephanie Grimes

Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 Campus Box K183

340 South West Street

Phone:

Email:

Learn more about our policies and procedures.