Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville , NY 10708
Posted 1 week ago
Job Title Associate/Assistant Director of International Student Support and Belonging Job Description
Sarah Lawrence College is seeking a full-time Associate/Assistant Director of International Student Support and Belonging to work within both Student Life and the Registrar's Office. This position primarily serves the undergraduate international population, which is around ten percent of the student population.
The Associate/Assistant Director works in a highly collaborative manner to promote effective logistical, regulatory, and cultural transitions that ensure the personal and academic success of international students.
Reporting to the Dean of Well-Being and Collaborating with the Director of Student Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) and the Assistant Dean of Graduate Students, the Director serves as a both a tactical creator and strategic leader who builds, maintains, and shares resources (tools, interventions, training opportunities, etc.) that expand the capacity of approximately one hundred and twenty Sarah Lawrence international students. The Associate/Assistant Director also supports the Registrar to ensure accurate enrollment status to maintain compliance according to regulations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The Associate/Assistant Director provides non-academic advising to undergraduate students and manages international student programming and other general support for both undergraduate and graduate international students. The Associate/Assistant Director also provides leadership to student organizations that focus on international cultures, issues, and identities. A successful Associate/Assistant Director collaborates consistently and effectively with campus partners to enhance student engagement and belonging in all aspects of the holistic student experience at a residential liberal arts college committed to promoting international student success and community well-being.
Essential Duties Summary
Primary Roles and Responsibilities
Assists undergraduate international students with issues related to student visas, College policies, adjustment to the U.S. and to college, and other related matters
Serves as the DSO (designated school official) for undergraduate students: processes I-20s for entry to the U.S., provides information about and assistance in filing requests for Social Security numbers and work authorization, including OPT (Optional Practical Training) and CPT (Curricular Practical Training)
Regularly collects and reviews contact information and enrollment status for international students
Carefully tracks and updates SEVIS files including semesterly registration related to student and program data
Provides opportunities for international students to gather and discuss issues of mutual concern and interest
Maintains the website for international students on both internal and external web pages
Assists undergraduate international students with online course registration
Coordinates and develops reciprocal partnerships with campus offices that provide support services to international students
Advises students and student organizations in recruiting members, event planning, budgeting, and promoting events, and designs student-centered international student programming that focuses on enhancing student well-being more broadly
Collaborates with the Office of Student Employment to identify employment opportunities for international students on campus, provides information to international students regarding the filing of appropriate tax forms
Partners with the Director of Student DEIB, Resident Fellows, and Resident Advisors to design and implement related programming and services that support and advance international student well-being to promote healthy cultural transitions
Provides an orientation for first year and transfer international students and partners with the Director of Student DEIB to develop an optional three-day pre-orientation program for international students, first generation students, and students of color
This includes collaborating with Graduate Studies to provide an international student experience including new student orientation, how to maintain legal immigration status, and practical assistance with orienting to life in the U.S. (connecting students to local banks, campus and neighborhood tours for groceries, etc.).
Represents Student Well-Being on various College-wide committees and at signature student events such as Friends and Family Weekend, various Admissions events, Commencement, and the College academic year opening
Maintains standards of best practices for advising and mentoring international students as outlined by national higher education professional associations (including, but not limited to, NASFA and NASPA)
Partners with the Offices of Advancement, Admissions, and Financial Aid to support the Davis United World Scholars (DUWC) at the College and serves as the primary liaison for all Davis UWC activities and reporting requirements
Expectations
Demonstrated success engaging and collaborating with people representing diverse backgrounds and experiences
Ability to interact with sensitivity and discretion when engaging challenging issues, facilitating difficult conversations
Uphold College policies, procedures, and bylaws and help students/student groups to do so
Possess an entrepreneurial spirit and creative initiative to take on new projects and identify opportunities for innovation
Build relationships with students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, beliefs, and experiences
Able and willing to work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends as necessary
Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications
A bachelor's degree is required.
A master's degree in higher education, international education, student affairs, or related field is preferred.
Ability to serve as DSO, including proof of citizenship
In depth understanding of international student regulations provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Motivated and specific interest in community building and working proactively toward enhancing the well-being of community members
Ability to effectively manage several concurrent and overlapping responsibilities
Proactive, thorough, and effective communication style
Comfort working in a professional and residential setting
Preferred Qualifications Salary $65,000-$75,000 Position Type Full Time
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number S00380P Open Date Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants
Sarah Lawrence College