The International Student Advisor reports to the Assistant Director of International Student Programs. This position works as part of the International Student Programs team to provide intake services and advising for International Students. The position works with faculty in general academic areas.

• Provide individualized academic advising to new and returning students, helping them create and adjust class schedules. Offer detailed explanations about Highline?s degree programs, majors, and graduation requirements, ensuring students are on track to graduate within their expected time frame;
• Interpret and implement institutional academic policies, advising students on their academic progress and degree completion;
• Design and deliver workshops on degree planning and University/College transfer processes, providing students with step-by-step guidance on fulfilling transfer requirements;
• Conduct specialized College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR) workshops for students who did not complete high school, offering alternatives and pathways to meet these requirements for the High School Diploma through online or in-person sessions;
• Advise students on specific course requirements for their degrees or certificates and assist with the application process for transferring to universities;
• Assist with retention efforts by making wellness phone calls and in-person to International Student Program (ISP) students regarding academic concerns, mental wellness, and student engagement;
• Work with the ISP Assistant Director to organize transfer credit workshops, offered quarterly either through Zoom or in person, ensuring students understand the credit evaluation process for transfer;
• Utilize Highline?s CTC-Link and Aviso and other systems to track student progress, document advising sessions, and manage degree pathway plans effectively
• Attend Highline workshops; 
• Collaborate with other departments to support ISP students;
• Perform other Duties as assigned.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (20%)

• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO), working closely with the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) to manage SEVIS requirements for new and transfer international students, including the issuance of I-20 forms and monitoring of SEVIS compliance;
• Assist with advising applicants on reinstatement and change of status;
• Assist with SEVIS I-20?s initial and updates;
• Assist with SEVIS OPT sessions for graduating students, providing them with essential information on how to apply for and maintain OPT status post-graduation;
• Assist with SEVIS Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for current enrolled students;
• Clearly explain immigration regulations and benefits, such as OPT (Optional Practical Training) to international students, ensuring they understand how to maintain their visa status;
• Regularly update student information in both SEVIS and Highline?s CTC-Link system, including changes in addresses, contact details, and academic statuses;
• Activate SEVIS database activation for new students, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of student statuses to SEVIS.

• Foster partnerships with local Four-year colleges, coordinating efforts to host the biannual International Transfer Fair;
• Plan and coordinate the biannual International Transfer Fair, overseeing all logistical aspects such as room reservations, event setup, and invitations to universities and colleges. Collaborate with local two-year colleges to identify participating institutions, supporting articulation agreements in conjunction with the Administrative Services Vice President. This includes working with Highline (CLA), regional partners, and local four-year colleges and universities to ensure a various selection of transfer options and the smooth execution of both international and domestic agreements providing students with clear pathways for transfer;
• Distribute transfer fair information to various Highline programs, such as Running Start, Trio, Umoja, general advising (Student Services and Academics), ensuring a wide reach to potential transfer students. Coordinate with other Highline Advising offices;

• Gather attendee information using Google Forms, maintaining up-to-date records of universities and colleges attending the fair;
• Manage and update ISP?s transfer information materials, ensuring that students have access to the latest details on articulation agreements and transfer pathways.

• Assist with quarterly ?Meet-and-Greet? sessions for Campus View housing, ensuring international students and domestic are welcomed and informed about housing policies and opportunities for engagement;
• Hold online housing (Campus View dormitory) sessions for new incoming international students as needed. 

• Work with international students in a college setting;
• Provide educational planning to international students;
• Communicate effectively in cross-cultural situations;
• Proficient use of the Microsoft Office Suite;
• Partner with internal and external customers;
• Develop and present program information;
• Work effectively with people of various ethnic, cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds;
• Work collaboratively as a member of a team;
• Lead and direct others;
• Provide excellent customer service.

• F-1 Visa regulations and requirements;
• Academic courses and program requirements;
• Cultural differences and adjustment issues for international students;
• Project management skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associates Degree in Education, Student Development, Educational Counseling, or related field ; AND
• Two years of experience in academic advising, student support, college access, case management, or a related role within an educational setting.

• Bachelor?s degree in student development, educational advising, or a closely related field. Knowledge of student development theories and effective practices in academic advising;
• Experience working in an education, particularly at a community college;
• Experience using CTCLink (PeopleSoft);
• Experience using AVISO (Watermark);
• SEVIS Experience;

• Second language knowledge preferred (Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Indonesian, Spanish & Vietnamese);
• Experience working within international education;
• Experience serving a diverse population in a multicultural environment.

About Highline College

Highline College prides itself on its commitment to diversity and equity, its institutional culture of collegiality and innovation, its globalization of curricula and its inclusion of the community in its programming. Founded in 1961, Highline College is situated in a diverse community just 15minutes south of Seattle. The college annually serves more than 16,500 students – a student population of over 70% students of color, representing 35 nations and more than 100 languages.

Connections working at Highline College