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 in-person role.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans and coordinates programs to support the transition to Knox for international students, including pre-departure advising, transportation to campus, an optional summer intensive English language program, an international pre-orientation program, and ongoing orientation throughout the first year on campus.
• Assists students in understanding and navigating the American college culture, educational system, teaching methods, expectations of academic honesty, and related transitional needs.
• Develops campus programming to promote intercultural learning and the internationalization of the Knox community, including assisting the International Club with the annual International Fair.
• 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).
• Works closely with Career and Pre-professional Development staff to assist the students with experiential learning (internships) and post-graduation opportunities (graduate school, employment) and ensure proper work authorization and regulatory compliance.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 pre-orientation, and the summer language program.
• Serves as advisor to cultural clubs on campus, as time allows.
• 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 wide-ranging 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 well-documented 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:

Bachelor’s degree required. Master's degree preferred.

Minimum Experience Required:

3-5 years of experience in international admission, retention, and/or student services.

Significant experience living, working, or traveling internationally—or 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 driver’s 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, job-related 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 Non-Discrimination

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 Non-Discrimination is the Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance. Any inquiries regarding Title IX or the College's 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 Non-Discrimination and the College’s policies and procedures.

Director of Title IX and Civil Rights Compliance

Old Jail 12 | Campus Box K-209

337 South Cherry Street

Galesburg, IL 61401

Phone: 309-341-7751

Email: cultureofrespect@knox.edu

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 Education’s Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, or both. Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights for additional information.

Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Education-Chicago Office

500 W Madison St., Suite 1475

Chicago, IL 60661-4544

Phone: 312-730-1560

Email: ocr@ed.gov

Inquiries regarding the College’s 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 K-200

2 East South Street

Galesburg, IL 61401

Phone: 309-341-7474

Email: hr@knox.edu

For Students:

Director of Disability Support Services

Stephanie Grimes

Umbeck Science and Math Center E111 | Campus Box K183

340 South West Street

Phone: 309-341-7478

Email: sgrimes@knox.edu

Learn more about our policies and procedures.