Study Away Program Associate

The Study Away Program Associate collaborates with the staff in the Center for Study Away (CSA) to provide advising, programming, and support for Macalester students seeking to study away. This role supports in the planning, program development, and implementation of CSA pre-departure and returnee events. Additionally, the Study Away Program Associate manages study away software (Via Global) to track student participation and implement CSA application and approval processes, as well as promotes study away opportunities across campus through collaboration with campus partners, academic departments, and external program providers. Lastly, this position oversees the study away website for accurate information and structure. The Study Away Program Associate role requires a significant amount of student contact in both advising and programming settings.

About The Department: 

The Center for Study Away supports intellectual and cultural engagement through study away, as an enduring part of a liberal arts education. We strive to ensure that study away experiences reflect the core values of Macalester College – scholarship, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society. Nearly 60 percent of Macalester students participate in study away programs by the time they graduate.

We pursue our mission by:

• Investigating and evaluating study away programs to identify those that best serve the values of the college.
• Advising students to make informed choices in selecting programs that provide a good match between their educational goals and preparation, and the academics and cultural experiences offered on study away programs.
• Maintaining an approved list of high-quality study away programs including a small number of Macalester-run programs and exchanges with international partners.
• Communicating regularly with faculty and college administration.
• Engaging students in discussion about study away and the liberal arts.
• Promoting the integration of study away through returnee events.

Advising:

• Serves as part of a team advising students regarding study away options, including being the primary advisor for an assigned sub-set of programs. 
• Advising includes: providing information for students about study away policies, procedures, and processes; maintaining up-to-date information on program brochure pages; communicating with departmental liaisons; liaising with study away providers; and representing the CSA at departmental forums and other related events.
• Advisors are the first point of contact for students throughout the study away process and may be called on to assist students dealing with a local emergency related to personal health or safety.

Study Away Programming Support:

• Supports in the planning, program development, and implementation of CSA pre-departure (Info Sessions, Orientation) and returnee events (Welcome Back Luncheon, Lunch Series, Reintegration Event, Meet-ups); collaborates on program details with Peer Leaders, study away staff, and other campus partners; works effectively with people from diverse backgrounds to integrate intercultural opportunities for all students.

Study Away Software:

• Leads office coordination of Via Global software for effective use by the CSA and for students; creates and edits content for upcoming student application cycle (advising, application, post-decision); updates and deploys application materials and forms; troubleshoots technical issues; coordinates projects related to software and site; manages change of program admin and pass/fail requests; receives continuous training on software features and how to implement it in office workflow.

Study Away Promotion:

• Responsible for strategic thinking and implementation of study away opportunities on campus; updates and promotes First Steps info sessions, departmental info sessions, and summer/January opportunities for students; supports in organizing incoming campus visitor requests.

Communications:

• Maintains study away website, generating new content and editing existing content as needed; collaborates with other offices to generate study away-related web content for the Macalester website; maintains study away resource library for students and other office visitors.

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree required. 
• 1-3 years of work experience (or equivalent) in a professional or educational setting that requires strong communication and organizational skills; interest in the field of international education.
• Ability to utilize critical thinking, active listening, and creative problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to collect and analyze data about student programming and student learning outcomes; manage CSA workflow of student applications through content and tracking.  
• Strong project management and coordination skills; the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks.
• Experience with office and database technologies (word processing, spreadsheets, databases) and ability to operate and understand current computer systems.
• Ability to work successfully and collaboratively with students and partners across campus; strong interpersonal communication skills; ability to interact with, understand, and identify needs of students from diverse backgrounds. 
• Intellectual curiosity, interest in higher education and education abroad professional development activities.

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in International Education or other related field preferred
• Understanding of experiential learning and/or intercultural communication concepts
• Significant intercultural living experience (could be for study or work)
• Proficiency in at least one language in addition to English
• Demonstrated commitment to serving under-represented populations
• Experience with Via Global Software for Study Abroad

Compensation:

The hourly wage for this position will be $23.25-$24.50, depending on experience.

Benefits:

At Macalester, we are proud to offer excellent comprehensive employee benefits. Here are some highlights:

• 10% employer contributions to the retirement plan. 
• Generous Parental Leave.
• Outstanding vacation and sick time packages, plus an additional 10 holidays.
• Generous employer contribution to Health Savings Account.
• Tuition assistance which pays between 75% - 100% of eligible tuition for employee dependents at select institutions.
• Free primary care for most services through Nice Healthcare when enrolled in a Macalester health plan.
• Access to the athletics fitness facility, wellness coaching, and activities.

These are just some of the great benefits Macalester has to offer To see our full benefits packages and options, please visit our Benefits Page.

Satisfactory completion of a criminal background check is a condition of employment.

Application Guidelines:

For best consideration, please submit your cover letter and resume through the Macalester Employment Opportunities webpage by May 31st. Review of resumes will begin right away but interviewing will not take place before this date. We will continue to review applications after this date and the role will be posted until filled. 

Jaclyn Howard

Talent Acquisition Manager 

jhoward3@Macalester.edu

Founded in 1874, Macalester College provides students with the inspiration, insight, and experience to become successful and ethical leaders. Located in flourishing St. Paul, Minnesota, Macalester enrolls over 2,000 students from across the country and around the world. Macalester is a preeminent liberal arts college recognized for its student service and celebration of internationalism.

At Macalester, we look at our employees through a whole-person, holistic lens. With comprehensive benefits and well-being programs, we provide and enable our community members to grow and care for themselves, their families, and one another. Our whole-hearted fidelity to community-building and social justice exemplify these ideals.  Macalester College continuously prioritizes a culturally diverse and pluralistic community. We value individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences. 

Our rich blend of people holding varied identities enhances our strong commitment to multiculturalism and global citizenship. We seek candidates who reflect and strengthen our campus environment. Macalester invites and encourages everyone to apply who would add depth to our community including those from all sexual orientations, races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, religions, abilities, and ages.