Director of International Programs

Position Summary

The Opportunity: Skagit Valley College (SVC) seeks to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds for the Director of International Programs position. Working closely with the College community, the Director of International Programs will provide vision, leadership, and planning for international student services and initiatives. The Director oversees strategic outreach and recruitment efforts for international student enrollment, as well as programming and retention activities for students participating in intensive English programs, study abroad, global learning activities, and international study at SVC. The Director is SVC’s Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) for immigration compliance matters and international student record maintenance. The Director works closely with the college community to further SVC’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, consistent with the guiding principles.

This is an exempt, 100% of full-time position, reporting directly to the Associate Dean of Student Support Programs. The position requires a collaborative work style, a bias toward action, and excellent interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills. The successful candidate will value the College's mission and demonstrate a leadership style that complements and enhances the College's ability to serve our diverse communities.

Nestled between the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound in the northwest corner of Washington State, Skagit Valley College is located 60 miles north of Seattle and 80 miles south of Vancouver, BC.SVC was established in 1926 in Mount Vernon. Operating as one college with several campuses and centers, SVC serves Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties with campuses in Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor, a center in Friday Harbor, and a Marine Manufacturing and Technology Center in Anacortes.

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Recruitment and Outreach

• Develop and implement a robust recruitment program to meet college enrollment goals;
• Oversee production of outreach materials (application materials, web materials, admissions brochures, posters, outreach displays, general program brochures for admission purposes, banners, and other pertinent prospective student materials) for international programs;
• Cultivate partnerships and engage in opportunities that meet or exceed SVC’s international student recruitment targets through contractual partnerships and relationship management with secondary school students, families, and counselors, as well as embassies and other key international partners;
• Liaise with assisting agencies such as the US Department of Commerce, American Association of Community Colleges, Education USA, National Association for Foreign Student Affairs, etc. for the purpose of increasing international student enrollment;
• Establish strategic agreements and partnerships with international high schools and university officials, government agencies, educational organizations, and professionals who serve international students;
• Monitor the effectiveness of outreach and recruitment efforts, develop short- and long-range plans, and refine the plan as needed for international student recruitment;
• Oversee airport arrivals and pickups of new students;
• Engage regularly and systematically with Enrollment Services regarding student stages in the recruitment and enrollment pipeline;
• Participate and contribute as a member of the SVC Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Council, leading the overall recruitment strategy for international student enrollment.

• Provide vision, leadership, and planning for international program initiatives consistent with SVC's Strategic and Operational Plans;
• Develop and promote inclusive policies, practices and programs that reflect a commitment to multicultural understanding, inclusion, and social equity;
• Serve as the primary SVC resource for the identification and analysis of best practices and national trends related to international program efforts.

• Serve as Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database;
• Primary Designated Signing Officer (PDSO)and issue appropriate documents such as I-20s;
• Manage, analyze, and utilize data to achieve international student enrollment goals, in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Planning and Effectiveness;
• Manage the International Programs budget(s) and provide quarterly reports on effectiveness and status of expenditures and projected expenses;
• Supervise the recruitment, performance management, and professional development of full-time and part-time staff within International Programs;
• Collaborate with other Student Services regarding international housing efforts, including recruiting international homestay opportunities throughout the College district, and regular collaboration with Campus View Village and Enrollment Services;
• Provide support to the Intensive English Program and carry out an ongoing review and revision of the program in response to emerging needs from learners, and the initiative of the faculty, in keeping with SVC’s mission.

• Facilitate partnerships with Colleges, governments and organizations abroad to encourage the exchange of knowledge, ideas, expertise, technology, and cross-cultural communications for SVC students;
• In conjunction with Enrollment Services, Student Life, Advising, Academic Affairs, and Athletics, develop programs and activities that:
  • Promoteinteractionofdomesticandinternationalstudentsthroughcurricular, co- curricular, and extra-curricular activities;
  • Enhance student engagement, retention, and completion at SVC to achieve college retention and completion targets;
• Organize and develop community enrichment events and activities that in corporate SVC global learning competencies and that attract a diverse local population;
• Increase and enhance student opportunities to participate in meaningful study abroad programs and/or engage in intensive learning activities that broaden global awareness;
• Collaborate and coordinate with Advising and Counseling staff to support international students pursuing Intensive English and transfer programs;
• Act as an advocate for International student concerns;
• Meet with students, as necessary, and provide referrals to internal and external resources and departments;
• Collaborate and coordinate admissions processes with Entry Services to support international student’s admission to Skagit Valley College;
• Oversee student support and communications to ensure individual student account balances are managed quarterly.

• Represent the College at local, state, regional, and national associations, as appropriate;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Political, social, and economic issues that affect international students;
• U.S. immigration law and requirements as it pertains to international student Visas and other legal requirements for F-1 students and J-1 visitors;
• Higher education admissions, enrollment, and transfer requirements;
• International student admissions and recruitment best practices.

• Work collaboratively with senior administrators to promote district-wide consistency and excellence in operations, instruction and student support;
• Work collaboratively with colleagues at all levels in a large, complex institution, as well as with diverse external communities, to facilitate positive and collaborative processes and initiatives coupled with measurable programmatic deliverables;
• Identify ,collect and analyze appropriate data in order to assess institutional climate and develop key strategies;
• Foster consensus and commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership;
• Promote an equitable and ethical campus community in which all feel included and valued;
• Participate effectively in the College's scholarly community and articulate a vision of student success consistent with the College's mission and guiding principles;
• Constructively contribute to the College's strategic priorities;
• Think critically and resolve conflict in a fair and equitable manner;
• Make collaborative decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• Communicate effectively and demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree, equivalent education or higher, in International Education, Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Foreign Languages, or relevant field;
• Leadership or administrative responsibility within higher education or similar organization.

• Master's from an accredited institution in relevant field;
• Experience administering programs in international education, intensive English language, recruitment or similar programs in higher education;
• 2-3 years supervisory experience overseeing full time staff;
• Experience studying abroad or living /working abroad;
• Fluency in other language(s);
• Experience in marketing to international audiences;
• Higher Education teaching or administrative experience in a community college setting;
• Strong collaborative and communication skills necessary to develop overseas partnerships and enhance educational opportunities for students and faculty;
• Working knowledge of collegiate international programs.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC

Salary and Benefits:

• Annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% full-time position is $85,000 - $90,000 annually depending on experience;
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon as practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
• This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
  • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
  • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
  • A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  
  Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.