The University of Illinois Springfield is seeking an engaging, student-centered Director of International Student Services with excellent communication skills needed to provide administration & management, staff supervision, and transition services for international students.
The University of Illinois Springfield is located in the capitol city of Illinois and historical home to Abraham Lincoln. UIS has the distinction of being ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the top regional public university in the state of Illinois and 4th Best Public University in the Midwest among those institutions granting bachelor’s and master’s degree programs – for 4 years running. UIS serves approximately 5100 students (3150 undergraduate and 1950 graduate students), and has been a part of the three-campus University of Illinois system since 1995. Campus has grown rapidly since then, adding new academic buildings and programs, residence halls and student apartments, and student support facilities.
Duties:
Responsibilities: Contribute to the comprehensive internationalization of the university by providing strategic direction for international and cross-cultural programming for the campus and community and immigration-related advice and guidance to international students and the university administration. Supervise all staff and operations of the OISS, serve as the Principal Designated School Official and supervise the responsibilities of DSOs serving other offices.
Specific Immigration Services Responsibilities:
Serve as the primary International Student Advisor and Principal Designated School Official for the university. P/DSOs are designated by the school to:
Represent and speak for the school in F-1 student matters.
Ensure institutional and individual compliance with the law, by staying current with immigration regulations, and interpreting and applying laws and government policies pertaining to F-1 visa students.
Issue and sign Forms 1-20, update SEVIS, and assist in other immigration matters dealing with F-1 students.
Ensure that the institution keeps records that are required to be kept, and that the institution complies with its reporting duties under SEVIS.
Approve or recommend benefits for F-1 students and their families.
Educate students and the school about their rights and obligations under F-1 regulations.
File the Form I-17 to comply with the recertification process.
Train newly hired or newly appointed DSOs and keep current DSOs apprised of regulatory changes, new government agency policy guidance, and newly developed university policies and procedures.
Develop and revise, as needed, the immigration-related policies and procedures of the OISS, and serve as the primary resource to other university officers regarding their own policies and procedures that may be affected by federal regulations and policy guidance or may have an effect upon the international student population.
Serve as the university’s representative to U.S. and foreign government agencies and representatives concerning international, cultural, and educational exchange issues.
Oversee administration of the Atlas database used for collection and storage of data and records for international students and scholars and batching of data to/from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
Other Responsibilities
Coordinate campus activities to promote educational, cultural, and social programming for international student’s development and retention. These include but not limited to the UIS events such as International Festival, International Education Week, Welcome Week, Homecoming and Springfest.
Develop retention strategies working cooperatively with faculty and other offices to complement the University’s retention goals for international students.
Assist the university community with the resolution of concerns and/or conflicts involving international students.
Develop initiatives in response to the trends, needs, and goals of the division.
Chairs a cross-functional team to ensure coordination and comprehensive support for international students.
Responsible to develop and publish the International Newsletter and oversight of the International Student Services Website.
Perform ongoing assessments of the OISS policies, procedures, and outcomes and compile regular reports as needed.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as designated and required.
Supervision: Program Coordinator, (3) Immigration Specialists and Graduate Assistant.
Qualifications:
Qualifications/Minimum Education and Work Experience:
Master’s degree and 7 years of experience in a university setting required; supervision of staff and direct working experience with international student services and immigration law/policies required. Serves as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for authorized visa programs. Maintains records, which meet Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) specifications for F-1 visa holders. Provides direction to campus in response to applicable new legislation. The successful candidate must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident in order to be eligible for authorization by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Principal Designated School Official. Demonstrated leadership ability, knowledge of student development and customer service skills required. Strong communication and interpersonal skills required. Experience with intercultural affairs a must. Program planning and event experience required. Bilingual language skills and experience with International Student Recruiting is also required. Evidence of relevant continuing professional education and affiliations with professional organizations (e.g. NAFSA, AIEA,IIE, AIRC, ACPA, NASPA) is necessary. Demonstrate current knowledge and understanding of federal visa regulations and have proven leadership in faculty and staff professional development in relation to international education. Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. Director may be assigned additional tasks in support of the university’s mission and goals. Applicant will be subject to a background check.