Assistant Director of International Student Academic Success

University of the Pacific•Stockton, CA

About The Position

The Assistant Director for International Student Academic Success provides strategic and programmatic leadership to support international students’ academic transition and success at the University of the Pacific. This role focuses on delivering high-impact, student-centered support through individualized coaching, workshops, and targeted programming. The Assistant Director leads initiatives across three core areas: English language support, academic integrity education, and cultural acculturation to U.S. academic and social environments. This position works collaboratively with Academic Affairs and Student Life teams to ensure international students are well-supported from arrival through ongoing academic progression. University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Requirements

Master’s degree in education, TESOL , Higher Education, or a related field.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience supporting students in a higher education setting.
Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident to be eligible to serve as a Designated School Official ( DSO ).

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of academic support services, student success strategies, and cross-cultural communication.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver workshops, programs, and student-centered interventions.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
Experience in ESL or academic language support (non-classroom or instructional).
Familiarity with U.S. academic integrity frameworks and student conduct processes.
Experience working across multiple campus units to deliver integrated student support.
Demonstrated student-centered approach with a focus on outcomes and impact.
Cultural competency and a strong global mindset.
Experience in program development and assessment.
Ability to translate complex academic expectations into accessible, student-centered support.
Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Responsibilities

Provide individualized (1:1) support to students, particularly international and multilingual learners, seeking to strengthen academic communication skills (writing, reading, presentation, and classroom participation).
Design and deliver workshops and webinars on academic communication skills for international and broader student populations.
Develop scalable resources and programming to support non-native English speakers.
Lead campus-wide education efforts on academic integrity, including workshops, orientations, and targeted interventions.
Develop resources to help international students understand U.S. academic expectations and policies.
Partner with faculty and Student Life to drive awareness of student expectations and ensure compliance.
Track trends and provide insights to inform institutional strategies around academic success.
Design and implement programming that supports international students’ adjustment to U.S. academic culture and campus life.
Facilitate sessions on classroom norms, communication styles, and student expectations.
Collaborate with Student Life and campus partners to enhance sense of belonging and engagement.
Support initiatives that strengthen retention and overall student experience.
Collaborate with faculty and academic support units to identify and address student needs.
Provide general advising and support to international students on matters related to academic success and campus resources; may serve as a Designated School Official ( DSO ) or support related compliance functions as needed.