International Student & Scholar Services Manager / Principal Designated School Official (PDSO)

Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor • Mequon, WI

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The International Student & Scholar Services Manager provides strategic leadership, immigration advising, compliance oversight, and holistic student support for international students and scholars at Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor. This position serves as the lead professional for international student services and is responsible for ensuring a welcoming, compliant, and student-centered experience from arrival through graduation and post-completion transitions. Serving as a Designated School Official (DSO), and preferably as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO), the International Student Services Manager oversees F-1 and J-1 immigration advising, SEVIS reporting, institutional compliance, orientation, employment authorization processes, and campus-wide education related to international student regulations and support. This role requires a thoughtful balance of regulatory expertise, student advocacy, operational excellence, and cross-cultural sensitivity. The successful candidate will be a collaborative problem-solver who can interpret complex immigration regulations, build scalable processes, support students from diverse cultural backgrounds, and partner across the university to promote international student success, retention, and compliance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in any field.
• Minimum of three years of professional experience advising international university students, preferably at a four-year institution.
• Knowledge of federal regulations governing F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
• Experience with SEVIS and international student records management.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, as required for DSO/PDSO/RO eligibility.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Strong working knowledge of F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations and the ability to apply regulations accurately to complex student and scholar situations.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and train others on federal regulations and institutional policies in clear, accessible language.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving students from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, and educational backgrounds.
• Strong student-centered advising skills, including the ability to balance compassion, compliance, and institutional risk management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, planning, time management, and project management skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in records, reporting, and immigration documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with colleagues across departments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines, and high-volume student requests.
• Comfort using technology, databases, student information systems, and communication platforms to improve service delivery.
• Ability to develop scalable processes, workflows, training materials, and student-facing resources.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current on regulatory changes, compliance expectations, and best practices in international education.
• Supportive of the mission and values of Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor and the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS)

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in higher education, international education, student affairs, intercultural communication, counseling, educational leadership, public administration, or a related field.
• Three or more years of experience serving as a DSO; prior PDSO experience strongly preferred.
• Experience serving as a Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
• Experience using Terra Dotta or similar international student management software.
• Familiarity with SEVP certification, institutional updates, recertification, audits, and J-1 redesignation processes.
• Experience working in a faith-based, mission-driven, or private higher education environment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary advisor and advocate for international students and scholars regarding immigration requirements, cultural adjustment, academic transition, campus resources, and life in the United States.
• Advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars on maintaining lawful status, including enrollment requirements, travel and re-entry, program extensions, transfers, reduced course loads, leaves of absence, reinstatement, change of status, and employment-related matters.
• Provide advising through scheduled appointments, walk-in hours, Zoom meetings, email communication, workshops, and proactive student outreach.
• Support students experiencing academic, behavioral, health, welfare, financial, or cultural adjustment concerns by coordinating with appropriate campus partners.
• Support airport transportation and arrival logistics for new international students as needed.
• Collaborate with the international team and campus partners to support International Education Week and other global engagement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen belonging, retention, and student success among international students.
• Develop workshops and programs on topics such as maintaining status, employment authorization, OPT/CPT, taxes, cultural adjustment, career preparation, health insurance, and life after graduation.
• Serve as a Designated School Official and, as applicable, Primary Designated School Official for CUWAA.
• Maintain accurate and timely SEVIS records for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
• Issue, update, and authorize immigration documents, including Forms I-20 and DS-2019, in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy.
• Monitor student enrollment, academic status, address updates, program changes, employment authorizations, practical training, travel signatures, transfers, and program extensions to ensure timely federal reporting.
• Complete SEVIS registration each term and report required changes within federally mandated timelines.
• Manage and process student requests through Terra Dotta and related university systems.
• Support transfer-out processes for students moving between U.S. institutions.
• Maintain strong documentation practices and accurate student records in alignment with institutional, SEVP, DHS, and DOS requirements.
• Lead institutional compliance efforts related to F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
• Serve as the institution's lead immigration compliance expert, providing guidance on nuanced or complex F-1 and J-1 cases.
• Supervise, train, and support DSOs, student workers, and other staff involved in international student services and immigration processes.
• Monitor federal regulations, SEVP broadcast messages, policy guidance, and best practices; update university processes and communications accordingly.
• Coordinate required SEVIS-related institutional updates, recertification materials, annual reports, redesignation materials, and other federal documentation.
• Represent CUWAA during site visits, audits, recertification reviews, and other compliance-related engagements.
• Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews to identify and address potential risks before they become violations.
• Establish and maintain institutional policies, procedures, and resources for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars.
• Maintain updated regulatory content on department portals, websites, Terra Dotta configurations, and internal training materials.
• Serve as a key resource for faculty, staff, departments, and university leadership regarding international student compliance, support needs, and institutional responsibilities.
• Educate campus partners on federal regulations, institutional policies, international student processes, and culturally responsive student support.
• Provide training to new staff, DSOs, student workers, and departments involved in international student processes.
• Collaborate with offices such as Admissions, Registrar, Academic Advising, Residence Life, Career Services, Student Health, Counseling, Athletics, Finance, and Academic Programs to support international students effectively.
• Develop, document, and improve processes that support efficient, accurate, and student-centered international student services.
• Assist with Terra Dotta configuration, workflow development, data integrity, and student communication campaigns.
• Manage high-volume student requests while maintaining accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with international student health insurance enrollment and communications with insurance providers.
• Recruit, train, and supervise student workers.
• Maintain organized records, reports, communications, and compliance documentation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
• Disability and Survivor Plan
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
• Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
• Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager