Advisor - Student Success

About the Role

South Dakota State University’s Office of International Student and Scholar Engagement is seeking an Advisor for Student Success dedicated to serving students with an emphasis on the international student population. The ideal candidate will guide students through ongoing maintenance of legal status, assist in safeguarding institutional and student compliance with university, state, and federal mandates, and initiate and implement educational programs to proactively assist with the engagement and retention of international students.

This is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position located in Brookings, SD. South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs, and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community offering an abundance of attractions and activities.

The Office of International Student and Scholar Engagement is a comprehensive home for international student and scholar services, enriching the experience of international students and expanding global engagement for all students, faculty, and staff. The office is part of the Student Engagement Center, which supports student success by fostering connection and community, removing barriers, and promoting academic, personal, and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide services to potential and current international students and their family members, including preliminary immigration advice through education on federal naturalization and immigration regulations.
• Keep students in compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines.
• Initiate and implement educational and social programs, including advising student organizations.
• Assume Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) status for SDSU’s U.S. Department of State approved J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Assume Designated School Official (DSO) status for the F-1 student program.

Pursuant to 22 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part A §62.2, ARO status requires U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residence status. DSO status also requires U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residence status, per Department of Homeland Security regulations.

Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (Sponsorship is not available for this position).
• Master’s Degree with a minimum of one (1) year of professional experience with international education by start date.
• Organizational and time management skills.
• Ability or potential to plan, develop, implement, and evaluate educational materials and direct effective programs.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate with faculty, staff, and students.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to work as a contributing team member.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience with university policies pertaining to international students and federal laws affecting international students coming to the U.S.
• Knowledge of college student activity programs, program assessment, and retention initiatives.
• Understanding of current trends in higher education impacting student success.
• Knowledge of the development of peer mentoring.
• Ability to apply student development theory as well as interpret and implement policy.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and flexible benefits.
• Retirement plans with 6% matching.
• Compensation packages.
• 10 hours of annual leave each month.
• 9.34 hours of sick leave each month.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Access to internal and state-sponsored training.
• Reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.
• Relocation benefits available per university’s guidelines.