Director of International Student and Scholar Services

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Global Engagement, the Director of International Student and Scholars Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for international student and scholar services at Montclair State University. The Director serves as a member of the Vice Provost for International Academic Initiatives and Chief Global Engagement Officers leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, institutional decision-making, and the advancement of the Universitys global engagement priorities. The Director is responsible for immigration compliance, international student success and retention, staff leadership, service innovation, and institutional collaboration. The Director plays a key role in creating a welcoming, supportive, and compliant environment that promotes the academic and personal success of international students and scholars while advancing the Universitys internationalization goals.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead and oversee institutional immigration compliance operations, including risk assessment, internal audits, regulatory monitoring, staff training, and the development of procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal immigration regulations. Coordinate with University Counsel and other campus stakeholders on complex immigration and compliance matters.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of international student and scholar services, including immigration processing times, compliance outcomes, student satisfaction, and retention. Use data to identify service gaps, recommend improvements, and provide regular reports to Montclair Global leadership.
• Develop and implement comprehensive international student success initiatives that support student transition, academic achievement, engagement, retention, and timely graduation. Collaborate with Academic Advising, Student Affairs, Career Services, and academic departments to identify challenges and strengthen institutional support for international students.
• Serve as PDSO and RO for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars. Provide advisement and counsel on immigration matters
• Process any documentation related to students and scholars immigration records, including but not limited to extension, full-time enrollment verification, change of level, SEVIS registration, OPT/CPT request, academic training request, record validation, etc.
• In the absence of the Assistant Vice President, serve as the primary contact for crisis responses related to international students and scholars.
• Lead the development and day-to-day operation of short-term programs (high school summer program, English as a second language, etc.).
• Lead the review of existing office processes and procedures; develop new processes and procedures when appropriate, to ensure that the University remains in compliance at all times.
• Conduct workshops and/or webinars for current students and scholars on topics related to their immigration status.
• Lead the planning and execution of the international student orientation program and any other office-sponsored events
• Oversee the departments social media channels and website to support the promotion of cultural events sponsored by the office or other units on campus.
• Provide leadership and supervision of professional staff and student employees, including workload management, performance evaluation, professional development, and operational planning. Foster a collaborative, accountable, and student-centered team culture while strengthening partnerships across academic and administrative units.
• Lead the modernization and continuous improvement of student service operations through effective use of technology, including Terra Dotta and other university systems. Develop streamlined workflows, improve digital service delivery, reduce unnecessary administrative processes, and enhance the overall student and scholar experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED:

• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Masters degree in higher education, international education or related field.
• Minimum of five years of experience in a U.S. higher education setting.
• Minimum of five years of experience working as a P/DSO for F-1 and as A/RO for J-1 students and scholars. Must be very familiar with all SEVIS functions for both F and J visas (processing of CPT/OPT/STEM OPT applications, registration, validation, academic training, change of status, matriculation, corrections, reinstatement, extension, etc.)
• Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and managing high-volume international student and scholar services.
• Ability to work on weekends and evenings to fulfill the principal job duties.

PREFERRED:

• Prior experience with Banner, Workday, Slate, and Terra Dotta.
• Ability to analyze and interpret the needs of students and offer appropriate solutions.
• Fluency in two or more languages.

recblid dgddtsj7gsdyxb20ecbq9t0j34afb3