Assistant Dean & Director, International Student Center

About the role

The Assistant Dean and Director of the International Student Center (ISC) at Swarthmore College will provide leadership and strategic oversight of all aspects of the ISC. This position plays an important role in advising international students and faculty on compliance with various U.S. government visa and immigration regulations. The Director serves as the College's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for the F program and the Alternate Responsible Officer for the J program. The Director manages and ensures immigration and regulatory compliance for Swarthmore College, ensuring data integrity, managing Terra Dotta, and overseeing routine functions.

Responsibilities

• Manage and ensure immigration and regulatory compliance for Swarthmore College.
• Serve as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for SEVIS and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Ensure data integrity, manage Terra Dotta, and oversee routine functions (I-20 issuance, semester registrations, travel signatures, CPT, and OPT).
• Manage a broad range of immigration and visa cases (F-1, J-1, TN, O-1, G-4, etc.).
• Review financial certifications and collaborate with Admissions and Financial Aid on pre-arrival logistics.
• Maintain and update immigration records and ensure institutional compliance regarding international students and scholars.
• Provide direct leadership, management, and mentorship to professional and student staff, supervising the Student & Scholar Immigration Specialist and advisors.
• Create forms, communications, and training materials to facilitate F-1 and J-1 processing needs and oversee J-1 reporting.
• Advise international faculty, staff, and invited non-U.S. citizens on visa requirements and institutional sponsor obligations.
• Participate in Division of Student Affairs (DoSA) meetings, committees, and initiatives, producing comprehensive monthly and annual assessment reports.
• Work collaboratively with various campus offices, including: Intercultural Center, Black Cultural Center, Gender and Sexuality Center, Interfaith Center, First Generation, Low Income Office, Career Services, Global Engagement Office, Provost office, and Advancement/Alumni.
• Advise and mentor international students, serving as an advocate for international student well-being and success, inclusive of visa regulations, employment authorizations, orientation, financial wellness, health insurance, and personal counseling, including Americans living abroad, permanent residents, and DACA/undocumented students.
• Serve as a United World College (UWC) Liaison.
• Student Dean Responsible for providing support on academic, personal, and disciplinary matters to a cadre of students each year. Provides advising, counseling, or referral as appropriate; monitors the student’s progress and provides ongoing coaching and support to ensure problems are addressed.
• Track and identify students facing academic difficulties; develop creative retention strategies and manage cases involving leaves of absence, returns, or academic review processes.
• Communicate and collaborate with faculty regarding students’ absence from class, missed coursework, academic struggles, and/or other personal emergencies affecting academic performance.
• Meet with students as necessary for individual advising and mentoring.
• Serve as a pre-major academic advisor helping students navigate campus resources and achieve educational goals.
• Responds to and supports students experiencing personal and/or health emergencies; involves after-hours (nights and weekends) work as necessary.
• Assists in advising students with academic and/or personal stressors; works closely with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and with Student Health and Wellness staff to address serious mental health or physical challenges.
• Provides sensitive and timely information regarding resources and options (both on- and off-campus) available to students.
• Supervise two team members: 1 full-time Student & Scholar Immigration Specialist and 1 full-time hourly International Student Coordinator/Undocumented Student Advisor.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence by supporting international students and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student population.
• Superior oral and written communication skills to navigate language barriers and engage effectively with senior leadership, faculty, and prospective families.
• Professional presence with the ability to present confidently to diverse audiences and senior leadership.
• Deep understanding of the intellectual, emotional, and social development of undergraduate students within a rigorous academic environment.
• Strong individual accountability, exceptional organizational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to maintain composure and stability under pressure.
• Proficient in planning, organizing, and delivering impactful cultural, social, and educational student programming.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree required.
• Minimum of 6 years of progressive leadership and supervisory experience in international student and scholar services within higher education.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status is required by the Department of Homeland Security to qualify to serve as a Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer.
• Solid understanding of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Department of State (DOS) regulations and requirements as applied to international students, primarily F-1.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and apply immigration regulations, including the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Strong interpersonal and management skills that promote trust, effective communication, positive working relationships, participation, teamwork, and problem solving.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience serving as a Director or Dean of academic/personal development in a higher education setting.
• Proven skill in conflict resolution and negotiating positive outcomes to minimize institutional risk.
• Active professional engagement (e.g., NAFSA, publications, continuing education) to remain current on shifting immigration landscapes.
• The vision to understand and appreciate the intellectual, social, and political development of undergraduate students.
• Deep self-awareness regarding
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