Director of Intercultural Programs

Director of Intercultural Programs

Location: IA, United States · Reference: 439

Key Responsibilities

Immigration Oversight & Regulatory Compliance

• Act as an officially appointed Designated School Official (DSO), managing adherence to all F-1 federal mandates and institutional policies.
• Counsel students regarding complex immigration protocols, including status extensions, school transfers, employment permissions (such as OPT/CPT), and visa applications, proactively troubleshooting status issues.
• Maintain rigorous, real-time records and updates within the SEVIS database to satisfy federal reporting timelines.
• Continuously audit student documentation and legal status to preserve institutional standing and individual eligibility.

Student Engagement, Transition, & Well-being

• Design and execute comprehensive welcome programs and orientation itineraries at the start of each term to accelerate campus, community, cultural, social, and academic settling.
• Guide students through essential logistics—including obtaining Social Security numbers, managing DMV requirements, securing employment paperwork, and utilizing tax filing tools like Sprintax—through individual coaching and targeted workshops.
• Track academic milestones and early-alert indicators, providing timely consultations and cross-campus referrals when needed.
• Deliver compassionate crisis intervention and resource referrals for individuals encountering personal, financial, academic, cultural, or legal hurdles.
• Cultivate an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, heard, and supported.
• Serve as the advisor for the student government body IDEA and its five active standing organizations, championing campus-wide advocacy and community-building.

Administration & Cross-Campus Collaboration

• Represent the university at professional gatherings like NAFSA conferences to network, benchmark best practices, and stay informed on regulatory shifts.
• Maintain organized databases, historical archives, and comprehensive reports regarding international and exchange cohorts.
• Partner hand-in-hand with Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, Student Accounts, Residence Life, Career Services, and Academic Success teams.
• Direct public-facing outreach, managing web content updates, digital newsletters, and social media channels.

Supervisory & Working Relationships

• Reports to: VP/Dean of Student Life
• Direct Supervision: Student staff members
• Collaborative Network: Engages daily with International Programs teammates, campus faculty, and administrative departments.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.
• Background: Direct engagement supporting international students, study abroad participants, exchange visitors, or diverse multicultural communities.
• Legal Mandate: Due to mandatory Designated School Official (DSO) responsibilities within SEVIS, applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, in accordance with federal regulation 8 CFR 214.3(l)(1).

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree.
• Experience: Extensive history working inside a university International Programs office.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced familiarity with SEVIS operations and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) F-1 policies.
• Advising History: Hands-on background mentoring F-1 
• Programming: Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, running, and assessing student orientations or cultural initiatives.
• Data-Driven Approach: Proven ability to leverage assessment data to refine and elevate student services.

Core Competencies, Skills & Abilities

• Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, public speaking, and interpersonal abilities.
• Analytical Mindset: Skilled at dissecting, interpreting, and applying intricate policies and federal guidelines.
• Independence & Teamwork: Capable of thriving autonomously while also contributing strongly to collaborative group efforts.
• Problem-Solving: Sound judgment, sharp crisis-management skills, and effective decision-making capabilities.
• Organization: Superior multi-tasking talent, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong sense of prioritization.
• Technical Literacy: Comfortable using Microsoft Office suites and modern web-based databases.
• Discretion: Absolute commitment to upholding student confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional integrity.
• Resourcefulness: Proactive willingness to lean on SEVP field representatives and NAFSA professional networks for guidance.