International Student Advisor - Athletic Liaison

Louisiana State University•Goodwell, OK

20h•Onsite

About The Position

LSU is seeking a dynamic, athletics-driven International Student Advisor. This position has a dual reporting line to International Student Services (ISS) and the Athletic Department. This position serves as the primary liaison between the Office of Global Engagement and the Athletic Department to support immigration compliance, transition, and success of international student-athletes. As a key contributor to LSU's strategic mission, this position will ensure the success and holistic well-being of our international student athletes. This position will balance the rigorous demands of federal immigration compliance with the fast-paced world of elite athletics, ensuring our Tigers remain eligible, compliant, and supported. Whether it's advising a recruit or helping them navigate Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, this role is the advisor who ensures their journey at LSU is seamless. This position reports directly to the Director of International Student Services, with a dotted-line relationship with the Athletics Department Leadership, ensuring a unified approach to student-athlete success.

Requirements

U.S. Citizenship or Lawful Permanent Residence is required to be a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for approval to access Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and thereby perform the duties of this position.
Bachelor's degree with 1-2 years of experience working with international students in a university setting.
General understanding of U.S. immigration laws and classifications.
Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Technical ability to interface with student information systems, such as Workday Student or Sunapsis.
Valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree with 2-4 years of previous Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) experience advising F-1 and J-1 international students.
Strong knowledge of immigration regulations pertaining to relevant status categories (e.g., F-1, J-1) and familiarity with other immigration classifications.
Experience with Sunapsis database system.
Living or studying abroad.
Knowledge of both athletic and academic terms.

Responsibilities

Serve as the Designated School Official (DSO) and an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State's reporting requirements impacting international students.
Advise international students on personal, academic, career, and social matters.
Assist with providing services and support for international student-athletes in collaboration with the Athletic Department and other units.
Serve as the primary point-of-contact for document processing, workloads directly impacting international student-athletes and international students. This includes pre-arrival immigration forms, SSN, and driver's license requests, among other processes and procedures.
Build relationships with the Athletic Department and colleges to provide relevant and up-to-date information on supporting international students.
Remain current on relevant immigration regulations and policies impacting the international student population at LSU.
Assist with meeting the ongoing reporting and compliance requirements of immigration regulations using the Sunapsis and SEVIS databases.
Support programming efforts designed by the Athletic Department and the Office of Global Engagement.
Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills related to international student advising.
Act as the dedicated point-of-contact and primary International Student Services liaison for coaches, compliance officers, and academic counselors within the Athletic Department.
Educate Athletics staff on the intersection of immigration law and recruiting, scholarships, and amateurism.
Partner with Recruiting Coordinators to provide early-stage visa pathway advising for prospective international Tigers and their families.
Collaborate on high-energy orientation programs specifically tailored to the unique schedules and needs of student-athletes.
Provide responsive advising that supports the mental well-being, retention, and adjustment of athletes far from home.
Manage complex cases with empathy and precision, including medical withdrawals or reduced course loads that impact both visa status and roster eligibility.
Coordinate with the Global Community Center staff and ISS team to conduct specialized workshops on tax responsibilities, post-graduation career options, and maintaining status.
Maintain meticulous, confidential records in compliance with FERPA and federal mandates.
Track and report on international student-athlete graduation and retention outcomes for institutional leadership.
Develop clear, compelling communication materials for international recruits to demystify the U.S. collegiate experience.
Other duties as assigned.
Assist students in the acquisition of necessary services, referring to the proper service within the Student Health Center for emotional, behavioral, or mental health-related matters.
Immediately contact the Care Team, the Dean of Students, or the appropriate law enforcement agency in situations where the student creates an impression that they are a danger to themselves or others.