Director, International Student And Academic Services, Sanford School Of Public Policy

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America's leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Job Description

Program Director (Duke Title)

Director, International Student and Academic Services

( Level 13)

Master of International Development Policy Program (MIDP)

Sanford School of Public Policy

Occupational Summary

The Sanford School of Public Policy seeks to appoint a Director of International Student and Academic Services with primary responsibility for the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program. The Director will provide strategic leadership for managing an international academic program and providing academic and student services to Sanford's international student population. The Director will work collaboratively with other Master's degree Directors, especially the MPP Director of Academic Service and Planning.

The Director reports to the Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Student Affairs and is responsive to the Director of Graduate Studies of the MIDP Program (DGS-MIDP). The director will also coordinate with staff in academic programs and student services and with staff in finance and data management, who backstop and support student and academic service functions, and with DCID staff who focus on international development research, executive education, and engagement.

Work Performed

A detailed description of functional areas and tasks follows:

Key responsibilities include providing strategic direction for international student and academic services for the Sanford School with primary responsibility to the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) Program. Excellent communication skills, a high level of sensitivity to cultural differences and to issues facing students (and families) from other countries are essential. In all aspects of the position, attention to and enactment of key behaviors - customer focus, teamwork, maintaining confidentiality, and diversity - are needed. Interest in international development, international events, and US immigration policies and regulations is useful.

A detailed description of functional areas and tasks follows:

Academic Services and Program Administration:

Planning and Administration

• In conjunction with the Assistant Dean, develop policies and practices that facilitate the smooth operations of global academic and student services as the Sanford School grows.

• Represent MIDP in Duke meetings and outside meetings that aid in the successful administration of the program (e.g. Registrar, etc.) Develop and recommend academic policies, provide feedback and reports to DGS-MIDP, Assistant Dean and DCID leadership.

• Identify and implement procedures for streamlining key processes (e.g. student and scholar immigration services)

• Develop materials needed to fulfill internal (Sanford/Duke) and external (e.g., accreditation) reporting obligations.

• Oversee and update the annual Sanford Bulletin with Sanford stakeholders.

• Create and maintain official Sanford Bulletin and Student Academic Guidelines.

Course Offerings

• Curate and maintain a list of International Development courses across the university for the Sanford School, including new courses that can be paired or cross-listed. Work closely with the DGS-MIDP and DCID.

• Manage MIDP course scheduling and registration for traditional and accelerated programs (fall, spring and summer), including interfacing with Sanford Registrar, graduate and professional students outside of MIDP, other departments, schools and universities.

• Assist the DGS-MIDP in course planning for the MIDP; collect and analyze data on course enrollment, evaluations, and interests of MIDP students in making recommendations.

• Implement and maintain agreements with dual/joint/1+1 international programs; work closely with the Director of Global Partnerships and Engagement.

• Manage interdisciplinary course offerings and 1+1 and special sponsor curriculum needs (e.g. Rotary) programs;

• Work with Sanford faculty and Registrar on permissions, drop/add, special requests; troubleshoot registration issues, credit overloads, areas of focus, etc.

• Oversee registration process (permission numbers, placing students in core classes), interface with the Sanford School and University Registrar, manage placement assessments for quantitative courses, and communicate course information to students each semester. Manage process of student placement into core courses as needed.

• Provide timely information to faculty and students on core and elective offerings;

• Oversee Master's project completion and troubleshoot problems;

• Support mid-term and final course evaluation process.

Student Data and Records

• Maintain student records and track progress of students towards certificate, degree and graduation requirements; Optimize and utilize technology including Stellic (course planning tool).

• Provide graduate lists to appropriate offices and certify degree requirements for students.

Global Student Services:

Advising/Counseling

• Oversee academic advising and support services provided to MIDP students regarding courses and student life. Serve as primary advisor on academic issues, such as program rules, regulations, and resources, and on non-academic issues, such as health care/insurance, housing, cultural adjustments, and other complex issues.

• Advocate on behalf of MIDP students as necessary with various student services to facilitate successful participation in the program. This may include, but not be limited to University Student Disability Access Office, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), Duke International Student Center, Duke Visa Services, etc.

• Develop and strengthen ties and collaboration between MIDP, MPP and on and off-campus groups with similar interest (e.g. Sanford Partners group, Duke International Student Center, Religious life, etc.).

• Triage student emergencies or crises (e.g. hospitalizations, etc.) with DGS-MIDP and other Sanford and Duke support services.

Prearrival Services/Orientation/Graduation

• Plan and manage Sanford graduate orientation program together with MPP.

• Coordinate graduation events, in conjunction with key stakeholders at Sanford and in Duke's central administration.

Student Activities

• Serve as Advisor to the MIDP Student Council

• Serve on school-wide committees created to enhance and support Sanford master's students as needed.

• Liaise with Sanford Wellness Coordinator to promote and monitor student wellness and develop best practices for wellness initiatives for Sanford's international student population.

• Represent Sanford graduate programs on relevant university-wide councils/ committees.

• Serve as the primary administrative liaison with UCAE for all officially recognized Sanford international student organizations.

Student Immigration and Work Authorization (25%):

• Direct immigration regulation support for Sanford international master's student population from enrollment through post-graduation work authorization.

• Serve as point of contact for sponsoring agencies and their sponsored students once they are on campus regarding rules and regulations unique to each sponsor.

• Liaise with Duke Visa Services and non-Duke immigration sponsors (Fulbright, Governments, etc.) to support student applications for US work authorization (CPT, OPT, AT, on-campus employment, etc.), reduced course load authorization, and other student immigration matters and requests.

• Provide input to MIDP, Academic Programs, and Sanford administration about the impact of school's policies and procedures on international graduate students, and how to leverage decisions to best support international initiatives/students/scholars.

• Optimize and utilize the TerraDotta Immigration system (TDS) in support of Sanford international students.

Financial (5%):

• Prepare recommended program operating budgets and administer budgets in consultation with Assistant Dean.

• Manage MIDP student services budget including orientation, graduation, special events, and student social fund.

Personnel (10%)

• Oversee and manage the performance of International Academic Services staff, including supervising two full-time staff - the Director of Writing and Communication Services and the Program Coordinator.

• Supervise graduate assistants who support activities lead by our office (e.g., student orientation).

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

Work requires knowledge of international student and scholar services, immigration regulations and analytical, communications and organizational skills acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program. A Master's degree is preferred. Knowledge of planning and program administration in an international setting is preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

Work requires at least 5 years of experience in international program administration or involving academic, instructional, or counseling activities to acquire skills necessary to plan, manage and implement a variety of international student services, programming and immigration strategy.

In addition, ideal candidate will possess the following qualities/attributes:

• Experience in international education and/or international development management.

• Show ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds daily.

• Capacity to exercise independent judgment-often in difficult and sensitive situations-and to work simultaneously on multiple tasks.

• Self-starter, takes initiative, follows through on details.

• Able to work in a team environment.

• Knowledge of student and scholar immigration issues

• Knowledge of TDS, Stellic, Slate and PeopleSoft desired.

• Proficiency in one or more foreign languages preferred

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work requires communications, analytical and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work requires the ability to plan and administer programs and direct program activities within a specific functional area, generally acquired through four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh