Study Abroad Coordinator

Saginaw Valley State University seeks a full-time Study Abroad Coordinator to administer and enhance the University’s global-learning portfolio.

About the role

Reporting to the Director of International Programs, the Coordinator oversees all operational aspects of study-abroad programs—advising, faculty-led initiatives, application management, financial processes, risk management, scholarships, and assessment—while collaborating with academic departments and external partners to expand and promote international opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Advise students, families, faculty, and staff on program selection, application requirements, course planning, transfer credit, costs, scholarships, visas, and related processes.
• Guide students through the entire study-abroad cycle: pre-departure orientation, in-country communication, re-entry support, and transcript evaluation/credit transfer.
• Collaborate with the Registrar’s Office, Financial Services, and academic departments to ensure accurate course registration, billing, and credit transfer.
• Develop and execute marketing and recruitment initiatives via campus events, classroom presentations, printed materials, digital communications, social media, and the study-abroad webpage.
• Maintain and administer the Terra Dotta study-abroad management system, including program information, participant records, application processing, and required documentation.
• Work with the Study Abroad Advisory Committee to update policies, procedures, handbooks, and operational processes in compliance with university policies and best practices.
• Coordinate study-abroad scholarships: reviewer assignments, committee support, award processing, and student communication.
• Oversee study-abroad budgets, student billing, payment processes, and financial reconciliation.
• Partner with faculty and Academic Affairs to develop, administer, and support faculty-led programs, including faculty training, financial oversight, contractual processes, and risk management.
• Communicate and collaborate with international partners, program providers, and overseas institutions.
• Prepare institutional reports and analyze participation data to support program assessment and strategic planning.
• Develop and coordinate student engagement initiatives, including the Study Abroad Ambassador Program and alumni programming.
• Attend local, state, regional, and national meetings and professional conferences related to study abroad.
• Travel domestically and internationally, as approved, in support of study-abroad programs and university partnerships.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, student services, study abroad, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in study abroad, international education, higher education, or student services.
• Experience coordinating programs, projects, or student services.
• Experience living, studying, working, or traveling internationally.
• Effective public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience with budget management and financial reconciliation.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and administrative skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Ability to prioritize workload, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing demands.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends and respond to urgent student or program needs outside of normal business hours.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software quickly.
• Ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in International Education, Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, International Relations, or a related field.
• Experience working in a study-abroad or international-education office.
• Knowledge of visa procedures and international travel requirements.
• Experience living, working, interning, or participating in a semester- or year-long study-abroad program.
• Experience with marketing, promotion, or graphic design.
• Experience using study-abroad management software, such as Terra Dotta.
• Proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

Schedule

Full-time, 40 hours per week, exempt position. Some weeknights, weekends, and intermittent domestic/international travel required.

About Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive public university with more than 100 programs of study for roughly 7,000 students. Located in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching, community-based research, and student engagement. The university has earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation and has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for nine consecutive years. SVSU offers a supportive campus environment, with 84 percent of seniors participating in internships, field placements, or other community-based learning.