Working/Functional Title

Sr International Student/Scholar Advisor

Position Summary

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) is dedicated to serving Michigan State University’s (MSU) international community. Our goal is to assist international students and scholars in successfully accomplishing their academic and personal objectives. OISS provides support services to over 5,000 international students and more than 1,000 visiting international scholars annually. In addition, OISS develops year-round academic, cultural and social programming, and serves as a global resource for the larger MSU community. OISS contributes to the internationalization of MSU by providing opportunities for growth through cross-cultural interactions.

Reporting to an Assistant Director, the Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor (International Student/Scholar Adviser II) provides the full range of expert immigration services to students and scholars and serves as Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 student program and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J- visa program; maintains in-depth, advanced knowledge to interpret and provide guidance on federal immigration regulations as they pertain to our international students and scholars; independently advises students and scholars and their respective departments and recommends solutions related to immigration status and overall immigration strategy. This position will advise staff, faculty and administration on immigration and intercultural issues.

The Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor is a member of the Student and Scholar Success Team in OISS, whose responsibilities include a wide range of initiatives that promote student and scholar success. The Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor develops and implements practices and policies for public facing services and coordinates communication to international students, scholars and employees as well as the university and surrounding community. This position oversees the department reception desk including documenting traffic flows, hiring, supervising, and providing on-going training for the reception desk student employees. The Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor assists the Assistant Director with leadership of the student and scholar success team as needed.

Hybrid work statement: Because of the nature of this position the incumbent will be expected to be on-site full-time during the initial onboarding phase (first six months). They will be expected to be on-site up on average three days a week or more during peak times on an on-going basis.

Major Position Responsibilities

Advising

• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the university’s F-1 student program and J-1 Exchange Visitor program.
• Advise international students and scholars and academic departments on immigration regulations and benefits related to F and J statuses.
• Identify, and support non-F/J international students including, H/E/L visas, etc.
• Work with students and scholars on various personal, academic and financial issues.
• Assist in development, coordination and delivery of OISS programs, workshops and presentations.
• Serve as a resource and liaison with campus partners on immigration regulations matters. 
• Provide immigration advice to incoming students

Student and Scholar Success Team

• Actively engage in student and scholar success team initiatives
• Support initiatives of other teams as needed
• Coordinate office communication including the OISS Weekly
• Coordinate the smooth functioning of public facing services in OISS including the OISS website
• Hire, train and supervise reception desk student employees
• Develop and implement practices and policies for public facing services

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing one or two years of post-bachelor degree work in Education and Guidance Counseling with relevant course work in English, a foreign language and/or international studies; three to five years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in academic counseling, a familiarity with immigration regulations and proficiency in a foreign language; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Desired Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution plus one to two years post-bachelor’s degree or coursework in international education, higher education, counseling, international affairs/relations, social work, area studies or related program; U.S. citizen or a U.S. lawful permanent resident in order to work as a DSO/ARO per federal law; experience advising and supporting international students and scholars with F and J visa; at least three years or related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in international student advising, academic counseling, or related area; strong understanding of student and/or scholar immigration regulations; experience working with university students; international experience that may include studying, living or working abroad, or interacting with international students; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Sensitivity to the unique needs and cultural differences of international students and scholars, and the ability to work in a cross-cultural environment.
• Background in supporting and developing students from diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender identity, and ability.
• Ability to develop relationships and collaborate with colleagues on complex situations
• Experience working in a fast-paced office environment; strong communication, organizational, and record-keeping skills; experience supervising student employees; and a strong background in communication media including website development, social media campaigns, and newsletters.
• Working knowledge of international student/scholar management software such as Sunapsis.
• Must have the time-management and multitasking skills necessary to perform a variety of duties concurrently.
• Cross-cultural communication skills and experience are highly desirable.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. Include the name, position, phone and email

Work Hours

STANDARD 8-5

Website

HTTPS://OISS.ISP.MSU.EDU/

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

The Bidding Eligibility ends on 05/13/2025 at 11:55 PM

About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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