Career Center

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is looking for its next Director of International Student & Scholar Services. As advocates for RISD's international community, this department offers support and services with immigration compliance, cultural and language adjustment, and navigating US systems. International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) also coordinates and provides information about International Student Orientation, which is held in the fall and assists students in finding the campus resources they need. ISSA strives to help international students become integrated into the RISD community and make the most of their experiences here. We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

The Director, International Student & Scholar Services will develop, oversee, consult, and coordinate various aspects of the international student and scholar experience, including immigration compliance, cultural adjustment, acclimation, support, and care. This role ensures office plans, goals, and initiatives are aligned to and supportive of RISD's mission and strategic plan. As the primary contact for all issues impacting the Rhode Island School of Design's international students and scholars, the Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the ISSS office and its staff, which includes hiring, professionally developing, and evaluating. This position serves as the Primary Compliance Leader for the F-1 visa program and the Responsible Officer (RO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. This role acts as the primary advocate for international students and scholars, and serves as a liaison with groups such as faculty, staff, government agencies, businesses, and local communities, and as a consultant throughout the RISD community on the various issues impacting international students and scholars. This individual will subscribe to and support our commitment to Social Justice, Equity, and Inclusion. The Director promotes teamwork and respect for people of diverse backgrounds in the workplace and in all interactions with internal and external clientele, and effectively communicates verbally and in writing with customers from diverse backgrounds. The Director will also have access to, and ensure the confidentiality of, protected health information under HIPAA and student information protected by FERPA.

Essential Functions

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Serve as RISD's liaison to relevant government agencies in the interest of maintaining F-1 and J-1 visa holders at RISD. Represent RISD to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its bureaus - Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Department of State, US. Department of Labor, and Social Security Administration.
• Administer all related functions as the College's senior immigration officer. Serves as Primary Compliance Leader for the F-1 visa program and as a Responsible Officer for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. Oversee the integrity and maintenance of records in the SEVIS system. Monitor legal status of all non-immigrants enrolled at RISD.
• Develops, implements, updates, and maintains the ISSS Policy and Operations Manual, ensuring compliance to Homeland Security regulations and RISD guidelines.
• Advise the College-at-large on compliance with student immigration regulations. Forecast and address opportunities and issues that impact RISD's ability to achieve its mission with F-1 and J-1 visa holders.
• Inform relevant stakeholders on pertinent topics germane to U.S. regulations and compliance by remaining up to date with literature, governmental policies, and international realities.

Student Success, Advocacy, and Campus Partnerships

• Oversee the advising and education of non-immigrant students and their families on visa status, U.S. employment, OPT, CPT, and academic compliance matters.
• Responsible for the processing of immigration documents for a population of 800+ undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education F-1 visa holders. 1300+ undergraduate, graduate, and alumnae.
• Design, deliver, and assess programs and services supporting the successful adjustment of international students and their families to RISD and the U.S. academic systems. Produce orientation and transition programs that facilitate student transition to RISD and out of RISD post-graduation. Inform and educate RISD constituents, as appropriate, on topics related to international student curricular and co-curricular success.
• Support RISD's international student community through inclusive community building and programming. Engage with clubs and organizations that represent the interests of RISD's undergraduate and graduate student populations. Support alliances and build and foster campus partnerships that promote the advancement of international student academic and co-curricular success.
• Respond to global environmental, market, and economic conditions to triage and support individual and collective student needs. Serve on the C.A.R.E. (Concern, Assessment, Response, Evaluation) Team. Serve as part of RISD's emergency response team(s) and/or processes - including those addressing the safety of students within the U.S. and abroad.
• Employ creative and out-of-the-box thinking to propose and develop new innovative ways to provide excellent customer services to our campus stakeholders, and implement procedures designed to deliver value-added services to our international student and scholar community

Operations

• Manage and oversee ISSS's professional and support staff. This includes hiring, training, developing, and evaluating staff to ensure premiere student services, ethical practices, inclusive and equitable operations, and intentional student development.
• Manage and oversee student staff serving as international peer mentors and supporting programming
• Liaise with Academic Affairs regarding issues with international scholars. Provide guidance and consultation to resolve issues.
• Propose and manage the department's overall budget to deliver upon both the short and long-term goals and in alignment with RISD's strategic mission.
• Develop and implement the processes and procedures required to manage and maintain the department's physical and digital record keeping in accordance with, and ensuring required compliance.
• Responsible for overseeing and maintaining the SEVIS database and batch system, ensuring accuracy and efficiency; maintaining data integrity through system updates, producing reporting and educating other authorized users as appropriate. Manage and oversee the ISSS website, including producing and updating content as needed.
• Identify needs to collect standardized information regarding student requests. Develop and build custom digital and physical forms to fulfill these needs.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Strong demonstration of cultural competence awareness within domestic and international contexts and among a broad range of social identities and circumstances.
• Previous supervisory experiences required.
• Demonstrated advisory experience with student and administrative populations.
• In-depth knowledge of current statuses and regulations governing the US immigration policy.
• Thorough understanding of the institution's academic programs, policies and procedures and regulations, sponsor agencies, and sponsored student needs.
• Demonstrated expertise in federal regulations and compliance related to international student and scholar immigration services including understanding of F-1 and J-1 regulations.
• High-level proficiency with Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) regulations and procedures required.
• Ability to articulate, demonstrate, and mentor others in the employment of diversity, inclusion, and equity in systems, policies, procedures, and services.
• Proven track record of creating programming and affirming situations for international students that add to educational and enriching experiences inside and outside of the studio/classroom.
• Demonstrated project management knowledge.
• Skilled in problem-solving and troubleshooting. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Managing and tracking budgets and spending required.
• Active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators or other international organizations.
• Master's degree required.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience with U.S. student immigration, visas, DSO leadership, and federal immigration regulations with an ability to practically apply and integrate prior experience and knowledge to this position.

Preferred qualifications:

• Experience overseeing and managing university / college electronic systems and databases archiving international student records and files is strongly preferred.
• Experience in facilitating quality training and presentations to diverse audiences and learning styles strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with and appreciation for working in art or creative communities is desired.

Union

None

Work Schedule

35 hours/week; 12 months/year

Employment Status

Full-Time; Exempt

Grade

09/AD

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.