The ISC is the venue for a host of vital student services provided to nearly 750 current international students. This 12-month position reports to the Director of the International Student Center or their designee. This position is the “helpful hand and listening ear” of Liberty University to current international students and has a particularly critical role in welcoming and orienting new international students each fall and spring semester. It oversees a full range of services provided to international students studying on various non-immigrant visas.

This position requires a keen sensitivity to LU’s mission for the world, an ability to advocate for international student issues, and an awareness of the limitations imposed by federal regulations. The International Student Advocate I will be charged with assisting the ISC with retention-driven events and programs, as well as coordinating communication with students regarding current student issues and university policies. It will seek creative and attractive ways to leverage the wealth of cultural, spiritual, ethnic, and linguistic knowledge and experience international students bring with them to enhance the life and global awareness of the campus community.

This position is responsible for the range of services provided to current international students and scholars, including developing and implementing retention strategies, coordinating communication between Liberty University administration and the students, assisting with ISC programs and events, and assisting with the daily operations of the ISC.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Developing and Implementing Retention Strategies

• Assist with developing initiatives and programs to help with international student retention.
• Review “At Risk” reports, contact and meet with “At Risk” students, and create reports showing similarities in barriers to international student success.
• Assist students with housing during the university breaks.
• Researching and guiding outside scholarships.
• Maintain excellent knowledge of the student employment situation on campus and advocate for international student work opportunities.
• Coordinate employment workshops for International Students
• Coordinate strategies for preventing problems impacting international student satisfaction.
• Maintain close inter-office relationships with other university departments and provide informational presentations to increase the university’s awareness of international student's special needs.
• Coordinate and advise on international student health insurance.
• Coordinate international student transportation.
• Assist in the creation of I-20 forms as needed.
• Ability to work in a team setting while contributing positively.
• Ongoing record keeping.

Coordinating Communication between Liberty University Administration and the Students

• Assist with the coordination of communication of all university announcements, deadlines, and important dates to students.

• Assist with focus groups with select student populations to identify current student issues and hear from the students.

• Meet with students dealing with personal issues including, but not limited to homesickness, depression, addictions, medical illnesses, social difficulties, cultural adjustment, time management, and work ethic. Referring students as needed to other university services i.e. LU Shepherd, Student Counseling Services

• Develop close relations with official and unofficial international Student Groups/Clubs, securing their participation in ISC events.

• Coordinate student ambassadors for each semester. This is to assist new incoming students with life at Liberty.

Assisting with ISC Programs and Events

• Formulate and perform cultural adaptation seminars for spring and fall orientations.

• Assist the ISC Student Engagement Coordinator as a foreign relations specialist to international students during the following events:

  • International Student Orientation

  • Worldwide Welcome

  • International Student Thanksgiving Dinner

  • Christmas Open House

  • Spring Orientation

  • Parade of Nations

  • Taste of Nations

  • Graduation Banquet

Assisting with the Daily Operations of the ISC

• Assist with ISC front desk coverage as needed

• Assist with ISC functions and events

• Assist with I-20 forms when needed

General Office Duties:

• Send and answer student emails within 24 hours

• Send and receive phone calls within 24 hours

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

• Background that includes experience with diverse cultures, ethnicities, and language groups

• Completed bachelor's degree.

• Ability to understand the benefits and limitations of federal regulations governing non-immigrant visa holders.

• Strong information technology experience & abilities (Database Management; Banner /SharePoint/Microsoft Office/Excel spreadsheets)

• Experienced with international student services in an academic context.

• Possesses excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills (writing & speaking).  Bi-lingual and/or international travel experience preferred.

• Mission alignment with Liberty University

• Demonstrated interpersonal counseling skills and experiences.

• Possesses a compassionate spirit and can understand individual student needs.

• Creative problem-solving skills

• Ability to advocate for international students in a corporate context and find creative win-win solutions to conflicts.

• To obtain LU-approved driving certification, individuals must be 21 years of age or older, possess a valid driver's license with a minimum of five (5) years of documented driving history, and maintain a clean driving record.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Demonstrated ability to communicate policies, procedures, and regulations governing admission to institutions of higher learning, including public speaking.

• Ability to use and manage various communication and social networking platforms. Bilingual cross-cultural experience is a very strong plus.

Problem-Solving

• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, and problem-solving ability.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Occasionally required to travel to local and campus locations.

• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.

• Regularly required to hear and speak to communicate orally effectively.

• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the building.

• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel, or stoop to conduct business.

• Regularly lift ten or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled office setting.  It is well-lighted, and the noise level is moderate. 

Driving Requirements

Use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) is required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position.  Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance is required.

Time Type

Full time

Location

Lynchburg - In Office

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.