Director, Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

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Scope: Provides leadership and day-to-day administration of ACU’s Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars (OISVS), including institutional compliance for the university’s F-1 and J-1 programs, international student and scholar immigration services, office systems and processes, and related university partnerships. This is a hands-on director role responsible for both leading the function and personally performing many of its core operational and administrative responsibilities. Serves as ACU’s Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO) and is responsible for maintaining effective institutional controls, advising university stakeholders, processing and overseeing immigration-related matters, and ensuring responsive service to ACU’s international students and scholars.

I. Basic Responsibilities

- Lead and administer the university’s international student and visiting scholar immigration compliance function and serve as ACU’s PDSO and RO for the F-1 and J-1 programs.
- Provide leadership for the operations, priorities, systems, procedures, and continuous improvement of OISVS.
- Advise university leaders, faculty, staff, students, and scholars on complex immigration and related compliance matters and coordinate institutional responses with appropriate federal agencies.
- Develop strong partnerships across Admissions, academic programs, Student Life, Research, Risk and Compliance, and other university offices to support international students and scholars from admission through completion of their ACU experience.
- Lead and develop office personnel and designated university officials, ensuring appropriate training, delegation, accountability, and continuity of operations.

II. Essential Duties include the following

A. Direct Institutional Immigration Compliance and Regulatory Oversight

- Serve as ACU’s Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) for the F-1 program and Responsible Officer (RO) for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, maintaining institutional compliance with applicable U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State requirements.
- Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency guidance; establish and maintain office procedures and internal controls necessary to support compliant institutional practices.
- Exercise appropriate institutional authority for immigration benefits and records, including I-20s and DS-2019s, extensions, reduced course loads, employment authorization recommendations, practical training, transfers, and other authorized benefits.
- Serve as the university’s principal resource and liaison for complex F-1 and J-1 matters, including communication with government agencies and coordination with university counsel or other compliance functions when appropriate.
- Monitor regulatory developments and assess their operational impact, communicating changes and recommended institutional responses to affected university stakeholders.
- Ensure relevant export control and research security screening processes are incorporated into onboarding and review of applicable international graduate students, scholars, researchers, and visitors in coordination with the university’s research security and export control functions.
- Other duties may be assigned.

B. Provide Strategic and Operational Leadership for OISVS

- Set office priorities and translate university objectives and regulatory requirements into effective operating practices, service standards, and workflows.
- Evaluate and improve office policies, procedures, documentation, records management, and business processes to strengthen compliance, service quality, efficiency, and continuity.
- Maintain appropriate metrics, records, and reporting necessary to evaluate workload, compliance obligations, service delivery, and emerging risks; provide updates to university leadership as appropriate.
- Coordinate preparation for government reviews, recertifications, redesignations, audits, data requests, and other regulatory or institutional reviews affecting F-1 and J-1 programs.
- Identify operational or compliance risks and elevate significant matters to the appropriate university leadership while developing practical corrective actions.
- Represent OISVS on university committees, working groups, and cross-functional initiatives and serve as the office’s primary institutional point of contact on matters within its scope.

C. Lead International Student and Scholar Advising and Support

- Provide expert guidance to international students and scholars regarding immigration status, employment, practical training, travel, program changes, and other matters within the university’s authorized role.
- Advise faculty and staff regarding institutional responsibilities affecting international students and scholars and help resolve complex or unusual cases.
- Oversee the international student health insurance program, including vendor relationships, enrollment administration, billing coordination, and issue resolution.
- Manage institutional access to nonresident tax support resources and related student communications without providing individual tax or legal advice.
- Develop and oversee educational outreach, orientation, workshops, web resources, and regulatory communications for students, scholars, faculty, and staff.

D. Direct International Onboarding and University Partnerships

- Partner with Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate Programs, academic units, and other university offices to oversee compliant and effective immigration onboarding for admitted international students and scholars.
- Establish clear workflows, roles, timelines, and communications across university departments involved in international admissions and enrollment.
- Collaborate with the Director of International Student Engagement and other campus partners to support the successful academic, cultural, and community integration of international students.
- Build effective working relationships with university stakeholders so that immigration and compliance considerations are incorporated early into decisions affecting international students, scholars, researchers, and visitors.

E. Direct Technology, Data Integrity, and Records Management

- Provide functional leadership and primary administrative oversight for VIA-trm ISS and other systems supporting international student and scholar services.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, security, and appropriate retention of immigration and related institutional records.
- Lead process and system improvements involving SEVIS, Slate, Banner, Workday, VIA-trm ISS, and related platforms, coordinating with university technology and data partners as needed.
- Develop sustainable workflows and documentation that reduce dependence on individual knowledge and support effective transition and business continuity.

F. Personnel Leadership and Professional Development

- Supervise, train, develop, and evaluate assigned staff and student employees and establish clear expectations for performance and service.
- Designate, train, and provide ongoing guidance to ACU DSOs and AROs, ensuring appropriate knowledge, access, and accountability.
- Maintain current professional expertise through regular SEVIS and immigration training, Department of State and Department of Homeland Security resources, NAFSA or comparable professional development, and relevant university systems training.
- Promote a collaborative, service-oriented culture grounded in sound judgment, professionalism, stewardship, and ACU’s Christian mission.

III. Professional Development Requirements

- Maintain advanced working knowledge of federal laws, regulations, agency guidance, and professional practices governing F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging issues affecting international education, immigration compliance, international student services, export controls, and research security as relevant to the position.
- Participate in regular professional development through NAFSA and other appropriate governmental or professional organizations.
- Maintain proficiency in SEVIS, VIA-trm ISS, Slate, Banner, Workday, Google Workspace, and other systems used by the university.

IV. Qualifications

- ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of the Church of Christ. The successful candidate must be a professing Christian who is willing to support the Christian mission and purpose of the university.
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred.
- Progressively responsible experience in international student and scholar services, immigration compliance, international education, or a closely related higher education function, including prior experience serving as a Designated School Official (DSO). Experience as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), Primary Designated School Official (PDSO), Responsible Officer (RO), or in a comparable leadership role is preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret complex federal regulations, exercise sound judgment, and translate regulatory requirements into practical institutional processes.
- Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Strong intercultural, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to advise senior leaders and communicate complex requirements clearly to varied audiences.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, sensitive information, complex cases, and regulatory deadlines.
- Experience with SEVIS and technology or case-management platforms supporting international student and scholar services preferred.
- Must meet federal eligibility requirements applicable to individuals serving as Designated School Officials and Responsible Officers.

V. Physical Demands

- Ability to perform the essential functions of an office-based professional position, including extended use of computers and communication systems.
- Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic platforms.
- Ability to work occasional extended or nontraditional hours when necessary to address regulatory deadlines, student or scholar needs, or university priorities.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.