Director of Intercultural Programs
Graceland University · United States
Key Responsibilities
Immigration Oversight & Regulatory Compliance
- Act as an officially appointed Designated School Official (DSO), managing adherence to all F-1 federal mandates and institutional policies.
- Counsel students regarding complex immigration protocols, including status extensions, school transfers, employment permissions (such as OPT/CPT), and visa applications, proactively troubleshooting status issues.
- Maintain rigorous, real-time records and updates within the SEVIS database to satisfy federal reporting timelines.
- Continuously audit student documentation and legal status to preserve institutional standing and individual eligibility.
Student Engagement, Transition, & Well-being
- Design and execute comprehensive welcome programs and orientation itineraries at the start of each term to accelerate campus, community, cultural, social, and academic settling.
- Guide students through essential logistics—including obtaining Social Security numbers, managing DMV requirements, securing employment paperwork, and utilizing tax filing tools like Sprintax—through individual coaching and targeted workshops.
- Track academic milestones and early-alert indicators, providing timely consultations and cross-campus referrals when needed.
- Deliver compassionate crisis intervention and resource referrals for individuals encountering personal, financial, academic, cultural, or legal hurdles.
- Cultivate an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment where every student feels valued, heard, and supported.
- Serve as the advisor for the student government body IDEA and its five active standing organizations, championing campus-wide advocacy and community-building.
Administration & Cross-Campus Collaboration
- Represent the university at professional gatherings like NAFSA conferences to network, benchmark best practices, and stay informed on regulatory shifts.
- Maintain organized databases, historical archives, and comprehensive reports regarding international and exchange cohorts.
- Partner hand-in-hand with Admissions, the Registrar’s Office, Student Accounts, Residence Life, Career Services, and Academic Success teams.
- Direct public-facing outreach, managing web content updates, digital newsletters, and social media channels.
Supervisory & Working Relationships
- Reports to: VP/Dean of Student Life
- Direct Supervision: Student staff members
- Collaborative Network: Engages daily with International Programs teammates, campus faculty, and administrative departments.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree.
- Background: Direct engagement supporting international students, study abroad participants, exchange visitors, or diverse multicultural communities.
- Legal Mandate: Due to mandatory Designated School Official (DSO) responsibilities within SEVIS, applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents, in accordance with federal regulation 8 CFR 214.3(l)(1).
Preferred Qualifications
- Education: Master’s degree.
- Experience: Extensive history working inside a university International Programs office.
- Technical Expertise: Advanced familiarity with SEVIS operations and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) F-1 policies.
- Advising History: Hands-on background mentoring F-1
- Programming: Demonstrated success in conceptualizing, running, and assessing student orientations or cultural initiatives.
- Data-Driven Approach: Proven ability to leverage assessment data to refine and elevate student services.
Core Competencies, Skills & Abilities
- Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, public speaking, and interpersonal abilities.
- Analytical Mindset: Skilled at dissecting, interpreting, and applying intricate policies and federal guidelines.
- Independence & Teamwork: Capable of thriving autonomously while also contributing strongly to collaborative group efforts.
- Problem-Solving: Sound judgment, sharp crisis-management skills, and effective decision-making capabilities.
- Organization: Superior multi-tasking talent, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong sense of prioritization.
- Technical Literacy: Comfortable using Microsoft Office suites and modern web-based databases.
- Discretion: Absolute commitment to upholding student confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional integrity.
- Resourcefulness: Proactive willingness to lean on SEVP field representatives and NAFSA professional networks for guidance.
Graceland is a nonsectarian institution sponsored by Community of Christ, which provides a rich Christian heritage. Graceland has two main campuses: one located in Lamoni, Iowa, and one located in Independence, Missouri.
Founded in 1895 and sponsored by Community of Christ, Graceland University is much more than a school. Graceland is a community of passionate, caring and dedicated individuals who make up a worldwide community network that reaches far beyond the two campuses.
All applications/resumes are kept on file for one year. If you see future positions that interest you, please let us know so we may submit your application materials. Reference letters will not be accessible to applicants during the application process nor after becoming an employee.
Graceland is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. Graceland welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. We’re looking for candidates who share our commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Graceland University consists of two campuses: the Lamoni campus is a residential liberal arts institution situated in south central Iowa, approximately 70 miles south of Des Moines, IA and the Independence, Missouri campus which focuses on degree completion, adult and graduate programs.
This professional champions the retention, holistic success, and community integration of international students. Serving as a Designated School Official (DSO), the role ensures full alignment with federal immigration statutes and institutional guidelines while offering expert counsel on F1 Student Immigration Status Regulations, travel, medical coverage, employment authorization, tax software navigation (such as Sprintax), and university procedures. Beyond compliance, the position orchestrates onboarding and orientation pathways, helps scholars navigate cultural adaptation, designs intercultural workshops, and partners closely with internal departments to elevate the global student experience. Additional responsibilities may be delegated by the Vice President or Dean of Student Life