Student Engagement - Coordinator Of International & Immigration Services

As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University's nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent's College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges-2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools-2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

To apply:

Only applications submitted through the official Careers at SHU site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit Careers at SHU to submit a formal application.

Qualified candidates are invited to submit a complete application and resume via our online application system. A cover letter or statement of interest is also preferred for all staff positions.

Sacred Heart University complies with all federal and state employment laws and regulations. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this position.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for serving as an active member of the Student Life Team. The International and Immigration Services Coordinator is a part of the International and Immigration Services team (IIS) and serves as the DSO (Designated School Official) for SEVIS. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The position focuses on providing services to support international students and development of targeted programming for international students.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• The Coordinator serves as a "Designated School Official" DSO in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and maintains expertise in F-1 student regulations to assist students with F- visa compliance.

• Under the guidance of the Associate Director, provides accurate immigration information to international students, monitors and tracks student immigration status, and maintains records.

• Assists with organizing SEVIS data processing under the guidelines provided by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and maintaining data and quality control management.

• Updates and tracks SEVIS records on a semester/trimester/module basis.

• Assists with preparation of F-1 documents for all intensive English programs, undergraduate and graduate programs and ensure compliance to all federal policies and regulations.

• Under the guidance of the Associate Director and Director of International and Immigration Services, serves as a first-point contact for students to guide them on immigration-related matters.

• Develops and maintains an in-depth knowledge of the academic programs, as well as relevant policies and procedures within each academic department to apply immigration regulations.

• Advises vising students on immigration petitions and applications including processing for new F-1 visas, employment authorizations, reinstatement, and reduced course load authorizations, change of status, and medical leave.

• Assists with active case management to the first-year cohort while supporting international students experiencing cross-cultural, family, personal or economic crisis, which may impact academic performance and overall student experience.

• Under guidance of the associate director, the Coordinator participates in the development of the annual international student engagement plan to create new programs and opportunities for student engagement.

• Participates in the assessment of existing programs and development of the student programming to enhance student experience.

• Engages in university-wide initiatives that aim to improve international student experience and the delivery of targeted services to support international students.

• Builds and maintains key relationships across campus to keep programs to improve the quality of student experience.

• Assists with social media ensure outreach and communication to international students.

• Helps students to access appropriate community services/resources that they need.

• Participates in training and maintains a relationship with professional organizations to keep abreast of changes in federal rules and regulations.

• Attends regional or national workshops and conferences as budget allows.

• Assist the Student Life department with events throughout the year.

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Master's degree preferred or commensurate experience.

• Requires basic knowledge of SEVIS and student immigration regulations.

• Requires superior communication skills to educate students, university faculty and administrators on matters pertaining to non-immigrant regulations and institutional policies as well as the ability to understand and explain complex government regulations and institutional policies to non-native speakers of the English language.

• Requires the ability to maintain detailed immigration records, perform intricate immigration processing and ensure institutional compliance with student immigration regulations.

• Requires patience, professionalism and high level of sensitivity when advising students.

Unusual Working Conditions

This position requires some weekend and night work hours.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.

Other details

• Job Family Staff

• Job Function Student Support

• Pay Type Salary

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• 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States of America