International Academic Program Advisor

Job Description
With their knowledge of Syracuse Abroad’s extensive portfolio of academic programs (curriculum, experiential learning opportunities, levels of student services/support, more), the International Academic Program Advisor guides students to select the overseas academic program in line with their academic, professional, and personal goals (while also maintaining focus on broader unit yield and University retention goals). Using good judgment and sensitivity, the Advisor provides high levels of support to diverse student populations to meet the challenges and opportunities of studying in different cultural contexts including playing a front-line role in fielding and managing complex student academic, mental/physical health, interpersonal, housing, and other issues that arise, managing confidential information in a professional manner, developing/maintaining more collaborative relationships with campus academic advisors and other University personnel, and developing/delivering pre-departure programming to ensure students are prepared for their abroad experience. Also responsible for admissions processing, and supporting student recruitment and engagement efforts on campus and nationally, which includes organizing and delivering information sessions/presentations, participation in/presentations at conferences and study abroad fairs, liaising with partner institutions, etc.

Responsibilities
Program Advising/Student Services: Advise students regarding the correct program per their academic, professional, and personal goals with consideration of curricular interests, degree requirements and progress, language learning, experiential learning opportunities, budget, and financial aid status. Maintain knowledge of all program offerings for general advising and in-depth expertise regarding select programs. Proactively contact and advise prospective students regarding study aboard programs/the application process. In coordination with assistant directors, organize and deliver group pre-departure information sessions, webinars, etc. for students on and off campus and re-entry programming . Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with SU academic advisors to assist with shared retention and progress toward students’ degree completion. In line with best practices and in collaboration with staff on campus and abroad (Syracuse/partner institutions), offer outstanding student service and support (advising, admissions, pre-departure, overseas, re-entry). Understand, interpret, and provide rationale for academic/student services, supporting policies, and procedures to students, parents, faculty, and staff, including a clear understanding of and adherence to FERPA /Title IX/other regulatory Federal and State policies. Support management in troubleshooting complex issues. Support identification of at-risk students and provide support, guidance, and referral to appropriate staff and units on campus and abroad. Serve on emergency response team as needed. Train group flight leaders, work with travel agent to book and monitor group flights. Admissions Processing: Review and evaluate applications, and make admissions decisions for assigned programs. Communicate with students until applications are complete regarding upcoming deadlines and important program information. Effectively communicate with staff and faculty in Syracuse and Abroad re: important issues involving students. admissions or student services. Interface with appropriate SU offices (ie Registrar, Bursar) and academic advisors to ensure coordination and accurate transfer of information. Manage Visa Process: Facilitate and advise students re: visa application process and process student visa applications (including researching visa requirements for students of various non-US citizenships). Identify students who need visas, research visa requirements for each destination, create student visa packets, facilitate, and advise students regarding the visa application process. Serve as department liaison to foreign consulate of assigned program country; keep up-to-date on changes in visa process. Provide up-to-date information on visas and program policies for inclusion on website, printed materials, etc. Effectively communicate with staff and faculty in Syr and abroad regarding important issues involving students, admissions, and student services. Interfaace with appropriate SU offices (ie Registrar, Bursar) and academic advisors to ensure coordination and accurate transfer of information. Send out and collect registration information. Post program fees to students’ bursar accounts. Data Management and Reporting: Process post-acceptance materials for students and manage student data using Syr Abroad database (OrangeAbroad). Stay up-to-date on applicable data management software and tools. Support unit enrollment objectives through app/other data reporting to upper level management. Campus Engagement and Recruitment: Working with Campus Engagement and Communications Managers, participate in on-campus recruitment and promotion efforts, including organizing and delivering on-campus information sessions, and class and panel presentations. Support off-campus promotional and recruitment efforts as needed, including but not limited to, participation in study abroad fairs, liaising with partner institution staff, presenting at education abroad conferences, etc. Program Management & Development: Serve as key contact for portfolio of programs, responsible for supporting effective communication and information flow among relevant Syracuse Abroad staff (program advisors, academic team, budget office, staff abroad), campus partners (academic advisors, faculty, staff) and study abroad office staff at partner colleges and universities across the U.S. Support program development and process building by collecting feedback from students/parents and staff/faculty abroad, sharing concerns and suggestions for improvement, contributing expertise and recommendations regarding portfolio of programs through continuous sharing and learning opportunities, and by serving on specific taskforces as relevant. Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Bachelors’ degree required, Masters degree preferred. Experience in academic advising and/or student services an asset. Experience living, working or study abroad preferred.

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