Study Abroad Assistant Director

About the Role

This position advises for, administers, and implements study abroad exchange, partnership, and direct enroll programs in a regional advising portfolio for UIC students. Additionally, this position serves as a college liaison for a portfolio of UIC colleges/departments to assist with the expansion of faculty-directed study abroad programs. This includes collaborating with faculty members on program proposals, sourcing and negotiating with program partners, managing program agreements and budgets, and otherwise planning all program logistics. Responsible for coordinating with international university partners and academic consortia to monitor costs, student affairs, and applicable academic curricula. Assists with planning and response for safety and risk management issues. Serves as departmental point person for at least one key study abroad area such as marketing/outreach, student financial aid/scholarships, or pre-departure and re-entry.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling to and/or assist students regarding study abroad options, academic programs, services, and educational issues (such as the application process, course and program planning, scheduling, registration, study habits, career planning, adjustment to school, etc.).
• Provide counseling to and/or assist students who want to participate in study abroad programs (i.e. exchanges – outgoing, affiliates, and consortia) and students seeking national scholarships.
• Provide counseling to and/or assist students and parents or guardians (where appropriate) in study abroad academic program planning; confers with administrators, and other professionals to discuss student's progress, resolve academic and other problems, and to determine priorities for students and their resource needs.
• Provide counseling to and/or assist departmental advisors and chairs in course articulation and academic planning.
• Provide counseling to and/or assist department and academic units integrating study abroad into existing majors, minors, and academic programs.
• Be responsible for the direction and oversight of study abroad services, including assisting in policy and procedure design and development that enhances the quality of study abroad programs.
• Assist with campus-wide promotion of study abroad programs recruitment, student selection, student financial management, and logistical services of study abroad programs/international exchanges, summer travel-study, international grants and scholarships, and international opportunities programs (website, classroom presentations, informational meetings, orientation programs, fairs, brochure development, etc.).
• Maintain contact with academic departments, chairs, faculty and academic advisors to keep them informed about and involved in offering appropriate study abroad opportunities for students.
• Conduct visits to study abroad program sites to evaluate programs (e.g., academics, student affairs, and safety/risk management); recommend improvement or program expansion.
• Research and analyze data related to study abroad trends, student destinations, program content, and cost relative to campus curricula, create appropriate portfolio for the institution and its students.
• Facilitate faculty-directed short-term study abroad programs and provide for logistical support as well as collaborate with faculty to develop new programs.
• Oversee all study abroad opportunities and affiliations and nurture potential new sites; maintain and update list of institutions, making certain implementing agreements are reviewed and revised.
• Develop, process, and monitor affiliation agreements with international education institutions, partners, and consortia.
• Ensure institutional compliance with necessary safety, risk and liability guidelines with respect to study abroad programs and participate in coverage of 24/7 emergency phone.
• Research and analyze study abroad program expenditures in order to assist with the creation of program budgets; coordinate with other campus offices in recommending relevant study abroad scholarship and grant awards.
• Perform other related duties and the duties of the lower-level in this series, and participate in special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in any course of study.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of professional work experience comparable to that performed at the Study Abroad Advisor level of this series or in other positions of comparable responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of foreign partners' academic systems and protocols for higher education.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods of international education curriculum teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Knowledge of university, state, national regulations and procedures related to overseas programming.
• Knowledge of educational, evaluation, and measurement principles, practices, methods, and techniques, university policies and procedures.
• Knowledge with university administration systems, such as BANNER and TerraDotta and the business management principals involved in the presentation and development of academic programs.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options, alternate solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems, and after considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions -- choosing the most appropriate implement solutions.
• Speaking - The ability to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand; ability to engage in public speaking.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience, so others will understand (e.g., writing grants, reports, etc.).
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in the presentation and delivery of academic programs, strategic planning, resource allocation, leadership techniques, recruitment methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.

Pay

$56,000.00 - $62,000.00 / Annual Salary

Schedule

Monday - Friday

Benefits

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.