Assistant Director Tufts Global Education, External Programs

Tufts University•Medford, MA

46d•Hybrid

About The Position

Tufts Global Education (TGE) advances the university’s mission by providing and supporting international academic and experiential learning opportunities for students across the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Through a broad portfolio of education abroad programs, global partnerships, research opportunities, internships, and other international experiences, TGE fosters student learning, intercultural competence, global citizenship, and academic engagement beyond the classroom. The division develops, administers, and supports a range of global programs, including university-sponsored semester and year-long programs, short-term faculty-led experiences, international research and internship opportunities, exchange partnerships, and approved third-party study abroad options. Working collaboratively with faculty, academic departments, international institutions, and external organizations worldwide, TGE ensures that global experiences are academically rigorous, culturally immersive, and aligned with institutional priorities. As a University resource, TGE provides leadership and expertise in international program development, global partnership management, student mobility, international operations, compliance, health and safety, risk management, and cross-campus collaboration. The division works closely with academic and administrative units across the university to support strategic global initiatives and enhance access to international opportunities. TGE is committed to expanding participation in global education by reducing barriers to access, supporting students from diverse backgrounds, increasing engagement in STEM-related international experiences, and integrating global learning with the university’s academic, research, and experiential learning goals. Through these efforts, the division strengthens Tufts’ global presence and prepares students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
5-7 years Demonstrated experience in education abroad advising, program management, or global education administration, preferably in a higher education setting, is critical
Demonstrated strengths in administration in the field of international education/education abroad required
Excellent organizational skills required.
Proven project management skills, attention to detail, and strong follow through
Demonstrated problem-solving skills and a proven ability to work effectively and cooperatively with college students, faculty, staff, and parents
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and intercultural competence
Ability to collaborate effectively across academic and administrative units
Study abroad experience or significant travel and work abroad required
Ability to work effectively in intercultural situations, and in dynamic, fast-paced atmosphere in which expectations are high.
Must be able to handle multiple and complex responsibilities
Must occasionally travel abroad and within the US

Nice To Haves

Master's Degree
Direct experience with advising students on education abroad
Experience with program assessment and design
Experience managing partnerships or programs abroad
Experience working with diverse student populations
Communication and outreach experience
Designing academic and student programs abroad
Demonstrated skills attending to onsite student inquiries and concerns
Demonstrated writing skills and ability to create detailed reports
Should be energetic, self-directed, flexible, and extremely well-organized and hard working
Ability to analyze and summarize information and make appropriate recommendations for program revisions in the context of institutional and programmatic goals
Experience managing student employees
Knowledge of other languages desirable

Responsibilities

Manages student participation in external education abroad and supports other Tufts Global Education(TGE) initiatives as needed.
Advises students participating in affiliate programs (more than 400 students per year).
Creates and leads student outreach, enrollment, pre-departure, and re-entry orientation programs within a robust and accessible advising environment.
Determines transfer of credit from non-Tufts programs with the Associate Director and works with stakeholders on transcripts.
Assesses the student experience and health and safety protocols of partner programs.
Ensures that academic and enrollment policies are in alignment with broader University goals and requirements.
Builds close relationships with external partners and providers.
Directs planning and program assessment for all external study abroad opportunities.
Advises the Associate Director on process and policy improvements.
Supports marketing and promotion efforts for all of TGE.
Makes data-informed recommendations on approved programs to the Associate Director.
Works effectively with various academic and student service units, as well as outside constituents (parents, international and national partners, etc.), to deliver the highest quality student experience possible.
Implements scalable, robust, and diverse advising approaches (e.g. 1:1 advising, group advising, social media, video, Canvas courses, student groups, etc.).
Partners with academic units on discipline-specific advising needs (e.g. Engineering, Fine Arts, Pre-Med, Sciences, etc.) for approximately 500-700 students per year across program portfolio.
Evaluates students’ academic backgrounds and research programs to meet their needs.
Advises on application process, course selection, transfer of credit approvals, non-approved petition program requests, leaves of absence process, health and safety, pre-departure logistics, and re-entry.
Monitors for program changes in any of the 150+ programs on the recommended list of non-Tufts study-abroad programs and adjusts advising strategies as needed.
Tracks and coordinates responses for onsite student issues (academic, wellness, health & safety, etc.).
Keeps Associate Director appraised of student cases abroad, and escalates sensitive student/parent inquiries to the Associate Director and Associate Dean as appropriate.
Leads and manages day-to-day enrollment lifecycle management in Terra Dotta and related systems (e.g. closely track and complete all student intent documents, program applications, home approval nominations, manage enrollment in our Terra Dotta system, and collect all post-program assessments).
Suggests, designs, and manages pre-departure preparation and re-entry education participation.
Oversees all leave of absence requests for education abroad and international home study.
Provides monthly enrollment reports for the division and creates reports on trends/flows of Tufts students related to portfolio of programs.
Revises and updates application components in Terra Dotta, TGE website, and provides recommendations for continual operational efficiency and process improvements.
Determines and evaluates transfer of credit for students returning from abroad, as well as for international transfer students.
Establishes a transfer of credit database with other unit and a process for credit evaluation.
Researches education and credit systems of international universities as well as provider processes.
Maintains contacts with professionals in the field for advice and benchmarking.
Works with faculty and other staff at Tufts for assistance with translations of transcripts.
Confers with department transfer credit representatives regarding credit questions.
Completes participation approval forms in support of student applications to programs.
Reviews and tracks each student’s SIS record to make sure s/he is in good academic standing.
In consultation with Student Life, confirms and tracks student’s good disciplinary standing.
Develops and leads programming related to student outreach, enrollment, pre-departure, and re-entry.
Creates and organizes education abroad information and materials available to students online and throughout campus.
Directs creative student outreach, peer advising, orientation, and general student education.
Creates targeted student programming and content around diversity, equity, and inclusion in conjunction with all TGE staff to increase outreach efforts and participation of underrepresented participants in TGE.
Manages study abroad fairs on campus, provider information sessions, speakers, and panels.
Evaluates all external study abroad program and student participation (academic quality, student experience, safety).
Leads data-informed program review; designs student assessment surveys and conducts focus groups with returning students.
Reviews program data and makes recommendations to Faculty Committee on Education Abroad for suitability of approval for Tufts credit.
Adds and removes programs from the recommended list in collaboration with the Associate Director, Associate Dean, and Committee on Education Abroad.
Meets with education abroad program providers.
Visits facilities of international programs as necessary.
Develops partnerships with international partners and providers.
Cultivates close relationships in order to support the development of custom short programs and new models of partnerships with other TGE staff.
Collaborates with other campus programs, faculty, staff, and international partners to design new opportunities.
Leads or contributes to cross-functional initiatives and special projects as needed.