Director, International Student/Scholar Office

About the role

The Director of the International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO) serves as a member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's global leadership team. The Director provides vision, oversight, and leadership to all areas of this comprehensive office: immigration advising, employment-based visas, sponsored students, and incoming exchange programs, to ensure that students and scholars maintain their legal status in the United States. ISSO also supports student engagement and intercultural initiatives to enhance student success, including significant programming dedicated to international students' personal development and adjustment to UNL, in addition to leading programming that integrates international students, scholars, and their dependents. The Director oversees the delivery of exceptional services in all of these areas in collaboration with 7.5 professional staff who are all direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Provides vision, strategic management, expert policy interpretation and analysis, and leadership to the International Student & Scholar Office (ISSO)
• Serves as UNL's Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) in overseeing the student and scholar programs in the government's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
• Responsible for UNL's participation in SEVIS and institutional compliance with federal immigration regulations
• Oversees the training and support of Designated School Officials (DSOs) and Alternative Responsible Officers (AROs) on campus
• Provides administrative leadership and oversight of ISSO operations, budgets, and personnel

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Master's in international education, international studies, student services, global affairs, higher education administration, comparative education, or related field
• 5 years of experience in an international student and scholar services role with direct experience processing F, J, H and other non-immigrant regulations
• Three years' experience leading effective teams
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practice in supporting international students and scholars in a university environment
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication
• Strong administrative, organizational, and collaborative leadership skills
• Excellent leadership and supervisory skills
• Demonstrated experience developing immigration policies and procedures and knowledge of employment issues affecting international students and scholars
• Proven ability to manage complex issues and competing priorities successfully
• Must be able to think creatively and solve problems effectively during periods of intense activity
• Experience working successfully with international students, faculty, staff, and alumni
• Technical experience with Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and student information systems expected
• Active involvement with NAFSA and/or other appropriate professional associations
• Must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident per federal regulations governing who can serve as a SEVIS Primary Designated School Official (DSO) for the Department of Homeland Security's F visa program and the Responsible Officer (RO) for the Department of State's BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor Program

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with UNL-specific software programs, including PeopleSoft and NUView
• Experience with SUNAPSIS
• Experience working within a large, decentralized university
• Experience supporting and consulting on incidents or crises involving international students or scholars