Director of International Enrollment and International Student Scholar Services

The Director of International Programs provides comprehensive programs and services addressing the needs of more than 2,500 international students and scholars at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). The Director serves as the primary supervisor for the day-to-day operations for student & scholar services and ensures compliance with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program as well as the training of the Designated School Officials (DSO) and those they supervise. The Director works closely with the Assistant Dean on the recruitment and retention of international students is responsible for developing comprehensive International Student Orientation programs and ensuring regular programming and activities to grow and retain the international student body.

Essential Functions

• Provide leadership and direction for all assigned functional areas of the department, including enforcing policies and procedures, managing personnel, and setting goals. Directly supervises the Assistant Director of International Programs, International Enrollment Manager, International Student and Scholar Advisors, and International Student Admissions Counselors.
• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO).
• Oversee compliance with federal reporting requirements for international students and exchange visitors using the required federal reporting software systems.
• Remain knowledgeable of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting areas of responsibility, creating and modifying policies, procedures, and practices to remain compliant, and advising others in the interpretation and application of laws and regulations as appropriate. Ensure staff, faculty, and students maintain compliance with campus, state, and federal policies, procedures, and protocols through the development and facilitation of training programs, educational materials, and online modules and platforms.
• Manage advising for international students, scholars, and dependents regarding immigration issues, early alerts, intercultural, financial, academic, and personal issues/concerns.
• Assists international students in meeting their educational needs at the university, including compliance with immigration regulations, adjusting to the U.S. culture and supporting their academic success. Provide outreach and immigration training to the university to advance the level and quality of service to international students and scholars and to continuously improve the welcoming and inclusive nature of the campus and community.
• Develop and facilitate programs and activities for international students, scholars, and their dependents, and provide leadership for other programming initiatives supporting student success.
• Responsible for the department's administration and support of all scholarships and financial assistance programs, such as the PASE program (Programa de Asistencia Estudiantil) that allows in-state tuition for Mexican nationals with demonstrated financial need, and other scholarships, and tuition waivers for all international students.
• Represent the university, international students, scholars, and their dependents to various state and federal government agencies, such as U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Student and Exchange Visitor Program, and the Social Security Administration.
• Drive the creation, execution, and ongoing review of the university's international recruitment plan in collaboration with the Assistant Dean and Manager of Recruitment.
• Establish best practices for international student recruitment and promote alignment of recruitment activity and strategies across campus
• Conduct market analysis and identify strategic opportunities for organic international recruitment efforts.
• Develop and execute strategic recruitment initiatives, including on-the-ground outreach, digital campaigns, and partnerships with U.S. and international organizations
• Collaborate with UTEP Enrollment Management, Academic Colleges, and Graduate School to partner with recruitment initiatives, reports, and activities.
• Develop and execute an international student orientation and open houses in collaboration with UTEP Enrollment Management, Academic Colleges, and Graduate School stakeholders.
• Work with campus stakeholders to reduce barriers to international student application completion, admission, and yield.
• Conduct market analysis to identify opportunities and assess key performance indicators, using data to adjust recruitment efforts and strategies accordingly
• Represent UTEP at international recruitment events, including school visits, fairs, and conferences, which may require periods of extensive travel.
• Establish best practices for international student recruitment and collaborate with campus partners to enhance recruitment strategies.
• Develop and manage a team of international recruiters, ensuring efficient and effective outreach.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders in maintaining ISSS portal, OIP websites, and other social media portals related to IEM and ISSS.
• Advocate for policy improvements that support international student enrollment and retention
• Define the purpose and goals of the international recruitment advisory group.
• Coordinate campus-wide international recruitment advisory group.
• Represent the OIPSA on international-focused campus committees.
• Provide ongoing professional development for recruitment and admission staff on international student recruitment strategies, policies, and compliance
• Provides leadership and direction for the Front Desk Managers in their roles of ensuring a consistent/cohesive welcoming and supportive International Programs Office at each college.
• Identifies metrics and develops regular assessment tools to measure, evaluate, and report overall program success. Utilizes data to improve International Student and Scholar Services and International Student Enrollment services for students.
• Develop and manage the financial budget for several areas of the Office of International Programs.
• Develop International Student Enrollment reports for Undergraduate and Graduate international students throughout the enrollment funnel.
• Participates in strategic planning and development of activities, including strategies to meet current and long-term organizational goals and objectives.
• Provides leadership for university efforts to enhance international awareness on campus and support for academic programs that are planning to provide global experiences for their students.
• Participates in various committees, professional training, industry conferences, and conventions.
• Represent UTEP in state, national, and international conversations as appropriate.
• Collaborate with campus leaders to identify opportunities to improve the student experience, sense of belonging, institutional reputation, and other appropriate goals.
• Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software, and able to learn and use institutional software systems.
• Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's objectives, policies, and applicable laws.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's Degree

and

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible leadership in international student services in a higher education setting. Knowledge of USCIS, federal regulations, SEVIS-related processes, and reporting requirements. Ability to analyze and interpret federal and state laws related to immigration, OPT, CPT, work authorization, admission, recruitment, residency, and other related processes. Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.

Three years' experience supervising and leading staff members. Proven ability to apply immigration rules and regulations.

Ability to coordinate the functions required to address the needs of international programs with offices and programs on campus,

including housing, athletics, enrollment management, scholarships, and human resources.

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status is required.

Preferred Education:Master's Degree

Preferred Experience: Seven years of progressively responsible leadership in international student services in a higher education setting. Spanish fluency. Knowledgeable about current trends in International Student Programs and demonstrates ability to design and implement innovative programs and services that effectively meet the needs of those being served.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently stand and walk. The employee must regularly sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must lift and move up to 25pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at , by email at , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office