International Student Advisor

Saginaw Valley State University; Bay City (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Saginaw Valley State University is seeking an International Student Advisor to support F-1 and J-1 students as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO). The role includes advising on immigration matters, overseeing SEVIS, and coordinating orientation and graduation processes, while collaborating with campus partners.

The Advisor will develop programs to improve international student retention, assist with CPT/OPT, and help students access health services,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Two years of professional experience.
• Strong intercultural communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must meet eligibility to obtain and maintain DSO status (SEVP).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, independence and leadership skills.
• Experience presenting to large groups.
• Proficiency with computer software.
• Experience in social media marketing.
• Ability to interact effectively with all campus community members.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) for SEVIS and advise international students on immigration matters.
• Maintain knowledge of immigration laws and federal requirements.
• Monitor SEVIS lists and ensure accurate records.
• Develop programs to support international student retention and coordinate pre-registration.
• Coordinate departure process for graduating international students.
• Assist with pre-arrival orientation and campus programming for internationals.
• Provide personal advising and connect students to campus resources.
• Support International Student Club events and IEW activities.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to promote international initiatives.
• Attend professional conferences and engage in ongoing training.

Skills

Intercultural communication

Verbal and written communication

Presentation to large groups

Initiative & leadership

Social media marketing

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Computer software proficiency

Job description

Job Title:

International Student Advisor

Full or Part Time:

Full time

Hours:

40

Exempt:

Yes

Supervisory Org:

International Programs (PM)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY: Reporting to the Director of the Office of International Programs (OIP), the International Student Advisor offers immigration services as a Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 degree-seeking students to support International Cardinal Success. The Advisor also serves as an Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) and offers immigration services to J-1 guest students and scholars.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for SEVIS (Student Exchange and Visitor Information Services) purposes and advise international students on immigration matters (SEVIS registration each semester, Travel and re-entry, Curricular practical training (CPT), Optional practical training (OPT), STEM OPT, Program extensions and changes, Reduced course load (RCL), Severe economic hardships, F-1 reinstatement, "Data fixes" with SEVIS Help Desk).
• Maintain current and up-to-date knowledge of immigration laws and federal requirements as outlined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
• Monitor SEVIS lists and alerts to ensure that international students are maintaining their visa statuses and that records are accurately maintained in the SEVIS database.
• Develop and oversee programs to support international student retention, track first-semester performance, assist students on academic probation, compile transfer credit materials for the Registrar, coordinate pre-registration, and monitor retention data.
• Coordinate the departure process for graduating international students, including student meetings, SEVIS transfer processing, and data collection.
• Coordinate and assist with pre-arrival orientation, arrivals, campus orientation, and other programming ensuring that new international students and scholars are properly welcomed and positioned for success in the university.
• Offer personal advising to help international students adjust and gain a sense of belonging within the campus community.
• Connect international students to the important and relevant resources needed to thrive, such as health insurance, medical services, banking and campus financial services, tax return, career services, tutoring, and other resources.
• Support International Student Club (ISC) to organize cultural events, e.g., International Food Fest and Intercultural Night.
• Organize International Education Week (IEW) events with the OIP Team.
• Collaborate with a wide network of faculty and staff across campus to promote and support the International Cardinal Success initiative.
• Use social media and newsletter to tell international student stories.
• Attend professional conferences and receive training related to international students and scholar advising.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received from the Director of the Office of International Programs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Functional supervision is exercised over student assistants.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two years of professional experience.
• Strong intercultural communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Must meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain Designated School Official (DSO) status as specified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, independence and leadership skills are essential.
• Must have experience making presentations to large groups.
• Must be proficient with computer software.
• Have experience in social media marketing.
• Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in international education, higher education administration, or related field
• Familiarity with USCIS regulations pertaining to F-1 and J-1 visas
• Proficiency in a second language and/or experience living or studying abroad

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Some weeknights and weekends, including intermittent travel, will be required.
• Duties are generally performed inside and not exposed to adverse conditions.
• All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Department of Homeland Security requires the designated school official (DSO) to be either a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States. For additional information please visit https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/schools/get-started/designated-school-official.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout their employment. The university does not provide employment visa sponsorship now or in the future for this job classification.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a "Great College to Work For" for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).

SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.

SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students’ performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.

More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website , http://www.svsu.edu .