International Student Liaison

Description

Job Title: International Student Liaison

Department: Emerging and Innovative Programs 

Reports to:  Assistant Dean of Emerging and Innovative Programs

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Prepared By: Dean of Honors College

Assistant Dean of Emerging and Innovative Programs

Prepared Date:  February 27, 2025

Approved By: Vice President of Academics 

Summary: The International Student Liaison is responsible for the recruitment and engagement of FHU’s international student population. This role focuses on executing the strategic vision, strategy, and objectives regarding international students, both on campus and globally. The liaison will additionally collaborate with others in the FHU community to identify additional growth opportunities, to increase intercultural knowledge and appreciation, and to foster on-campus belonging for international students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Includes the following. Additional responsibilities may be assigned as needed. 

Provides insight and leadership in developing a strategic vision for international student recruitment, support, and growth through all student types.

Works with staff in Emerging and Innovative Programs (EIP) to translate the vision into a multi-year action plan with strategic objectives, annual recruitment targets, and goals for scalable and sustainable growth. 

Collects and organizes data to continually assess and improve the quality of international recruitment, programming, and services.

Uses this data to make informed decisions and recommendations about recruitment goals and support services.

Assists the Assistant Dean of EIP in developing budget needs for the successful recruitment, retention, and success of international students.

Provides cross-campus leadership and advocacy in regard to the needs and resources for international students. 

Supervises student workers or graduate assistants, as assigned. 

Researches, develops, and proposes new programs and services for both the recruitment and retention of international students and/or in elevating their on-campus experience.

Travels occasionally as a representative of the University to promote and secure partnerships with international schools and programs. 

Coordinates the processes for international student recruitment including, but not limited to: application processing, admittance documentation, document collection, managing student admittance files, ensuring governmental compliance, assisting with travel logistics, academic advising, scheduling, providing transportation as needed, etc. This is true for undergraduate and dual enrollment students. This position may also work with the institution’s Office of Graduate Admissions as needed. 

Develops communication flows to students, parents, and other involved parties including, but not limited to: email campaigns to move students through the stages of the recruitment “funnel” (i.e. inquiries, applicants, admittance, deposits, or enrolled), email campaigns for missing documentation, print pieces for recruitment, social media campaigns, press releases, on- and off-campus presentations about recruitment and success efforts, billing notifications, educational pieces for both internal and external constituents.  

Maintains and secures records on all international students including, but not limited to, personal insurance enrollment, emergency contact information, emergency contact cards, etc. 

Collaborates with offices across campus to ensure successful handling of international student processes including, but not limited to, the following offices: the Business Office, Student Financial Services, Work Study, the Office of Academics and students’ respective faculty, students’ advisors, the Office of Academic Success and Records, Student Services, Campus Security, the University Counseling Center, etc. 

Manages the programs, activities, and supports along with the Director of International Education leading to international student success including, but not limited to: coordinating international student advising, transcript evaluation, student retention strategies, orientation materials and presentations, SEVIS maintenance and reporting as a Designated School Official (DSO), facilitating other applicable governmental initiatives that impact international students and their educational programs.

Coordinates with the Office of Student Life to ensure that international students are engaging in activities that help embed them into the larger FHU community. In some cases, develop unique programming for international students and advocate for resources to execute planned programming (e.g. shuttles to Jackson or nearby shopping, planned activities over long weekends, etc.)

Participates in meetings and maintains communication with international dual enrollment partners. 

Other responsibilities as assigned by the Assistant Dean of Emerging and Innovative Programs.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s preferred but not required. 

Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) as mandated by federal regulations for all Designated School Officials.

Competencies: 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Ethics – Consistently treats individuals from various cultures and countries with respect. Keeps commitments, instills trust in others, works with integrity, and upholds organizational and Biblical values. Values diverse perspectives and shows sensitivity to individual and cultural differences. Treats others fairly without regards to individual or cultural differences and recognizes that these differences often lead to opportunities to learn and grow by collaborating and working together. 

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve service. This position requires patience in listening to and handling the needs of students who are acclimating to a different culture. 

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations. Listens and gets clarification, and then responds well to questions. Has the ability to present information and actively participates in meetings. This position will require excellent communication skills in working with various cultures and languages. 

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively, edits work for spelling and grammar, and varies writing style to meet needs. Presents numerical data effectively, and is able to read and interpret written information.

Professionalism- Proactive. Approaches others in a tactful manner. Reacts well under pressure and in fluid environments. Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position. Accepts responsibility for own actions. Follows through on commitments. Pursues continuous professional growth and development to ensure success of their responsibilities.

Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time, and ensures that responsibilities are covered when absences are required. Supports the overall goals and success of the unit along with individual achievement. 

Dependability - Follows instructions and responds to management direction. Commits to the completion of goals, even when it is required to work beyond the 8-5 daily timelines. Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with alternative solutions when on time is not feasible. 

Innovation – Pivots before quitting. Displays original thinking and creativity. Meets challenges with resourcefulness. Generates suggestions for improving work. Develops innovative approaches and ideas. Presents ideas and information in a manner that gets others' attention.

Social Skills- Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do; adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public.

Mathematical Skills                      

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference in interpreting data from assessment tools and surveys. Ability to comprehend and calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, currency conversions, time, and distance. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations including budgeting and goal setting.

Reasoning Ability                      

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills                      

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a working knowledge of internet software, spreadsheet software, presentation software, and word processing software. This position will be involved in various portals, dashboards, and systems utilized across campus to manage recruitment, budgets, and academic records. 

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations 

Other Skills and Abilities                      

Other Qualifications                      

Must have an active passport and be willing to travel internationally. 

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.