Director of Intercultural Programs

Graceland University; Lamoni (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Graceland University seeks a Designated School Official to ensure compliance with F-1 federal mandates and guide international students through immigration procedures. The role includes counseling on OPT/CPT, maintaining SEVIS records, and coordinating onboarding and orientation initiatives.

The position demands strong communication, data management, and crisis-support skills, with collaboration across Admissions, Registrar, and Student Life teams to enhance the global student experience.

Qualifications

• Strong communication across diverse audiences.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex policies and guidelines.
• Experience supporting international students or similar multicultural communities.
• Familiarity with compliance databases and reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Act as an officially appointed DSO, managing adherence to all F-1 mandates and institutional policies.
• Counsel students regarding immigration protocols including extensions, transfers, employment permissions (OPT/CPT), and visa applications.
• Maintain real-time records in the SEVIS database and adhere to federal reporting timelines.
• Audit student documentation to preserve institutional standing and eligibility.
• Design and execute welcome programs and orientations each term.
• Guide students on logistics such as Social Security, DMV, employment paperwork, and Sprintax usage.
• Track milestones and provide consultations with referrals as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention and referrals for personal, financial, academic, cultural, or legal hurdles.
• Foster an inclusive, safe environment; advise IDEA and its organizations; represent the university at conferences like NAFSA.
• Maintain databases, archives, and reports on international cohorts; collaborate with Admissions, Registrar, Student Accounts, Residence Life, Career Services, and Academic Success.
• Direct public-facing outreach including web content, newsletters, and social media.

Skills

Communication

Analytical mindset

Independence

Teamwork

Problem-solving

Organization

Technical literacy

Discretion

Resourcefulness

Tools

SEVIS

Job description

This professional champions the retention, holistic success, and community integration of international students. Serving as a Designated School Official (DSO), the role ensures full alignment with federal immigration statutes and institutional guidelines while offering expert counsel on F1 Student Immigration Status Regulations, travel, medical coverage, employment authorization, tax software navigation (such as Sprintax), and university procedures. Beyond compliance, the position orchestrates onboarding and orientation pathways, helps scholars navigate cultural adaptation, designs intercultural workshops, and partners closely with internal departments to elevate the global student experience. Additional responsibilities may be delegated by the Vice President or Dean of Student Life

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.
• 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.
• 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

• 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

• 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.