Director of International Admissions

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) at South Dakota State University seeks candidates for the position of Director of International Admissions. We are looking for a strategic thinker and a successful international recruitment professional to join our OIA leadership team. This position is a 12-month, full-time, benefit-eligible position that reports to the Assistant Vice President for International Affairs.

This position will create and implement SDSU’s strategy for international student recruitment, including undergraduate, graduate, and ESL students, while overseeing the processing of international student applications and developing communication plans to guide students through the enrollment funnel to matriculation. The position will also make admissions decisions for international students at the undergraduate level.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S.   Sponsorship is not available for this position.

SDSU is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to and/or coordinate course offerings that address the experiences of underrepresented minorities in organizations. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide strategic direction for OIA in international recruitment in degree programs and ESL;
• Identify target regions and countries for recruitment activity;
• Develop marketing materials and supervise communication campaigns (including materials) to realize recruitment goals;
• Maintain networks of educational agents, government agencies (e.g. EducationUSA), and overseas high school counselors;
• Supervise the processing of admissions applications, review educational credentials of applicants, and make admissions decisions;
• Travel to represent the university at international fairs, school visits, and selected domestic events with international students;
• Participate in OIA events (e.g. student orientations and international celebrations);
• Supervise program assistants and student volunteers.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• An earned Master’s degree in any field, with a preference for Education, Administration, TESOL, Marketing, Communications, Advertising, Public Relations, or any related field plus five (5) years of relevant experience by date of application;
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including students, the public, and volunteers;
• Valid US Passport; International Travel; Valid Driver’s license;
• Ability to assume Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) status for SDSU’s U.S.Department of State approved J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and Designated School Official (DSO) status for the F-1 student program. Pursuant to 22 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part A §62.2, ARO Status requires U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residence status. DSO Status also requires U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residence status, per Department of Homeland Security regulations;
• Experience with strategic planning and establishing strategic goals;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills;
• Please note: Sponsorship is not available for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Combination of five (5) to seven (7) years of professional experience within higher education, with a minimum of three (3) years of that relevant experience within an international affairs or an international admissions office setting;

• Experience working with educational agencies, EducationUSA, and overseas high schools to recruit international students;
• Experience working with ESL programming.

SALARY:

Commensurate with qualifications.

BENEFITS:

South Dakota State University offers a wide range of benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

UNIVERSITY AND THE BROOKINGS COMMUNITY:

Ranked as the No. 2 best place to work in South Dakota by Forbes, South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with more than 200 programs and an enrollment of over 11,000 students.

SDSU offers a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusion and access through inspired, student-centered education, creative activities and research, innovation and engagement that improve the quality of life in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world. Its employees embrace the university’s core values of being people-centered, expanding knowledge through creativity, embracing organizational and personal integrity, commitment to diversity, and excellence through continuous improvement.

SDSU enrolls approximately 700 international students evenly distributed in undergraduate and graduate programs on its various campuses and in its English Language and Culture Institute in Brookings. The vast majority of our international students and scholars study and work on the main campus in Brookings. More than 250 additional international students are currently enrolled in Optional Practical Training and continue to work with the OIA to maintain their status.

As the state’s 1862 Morrill Act land-grant institution, the work of the university is carried out on its main resident campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across South Dakota.

SDSU was recognized as one of 54 institutions in the United States as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities in 2014. The university’s total research expenditures are greater than $60 million. SDSU is the state’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Jackrabbits Athletics competes as an NCAA Division I member with membership in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, the Summit League and the Big XII for wrestling.

Brookings is home to approximately 24,000 residents and is located 60 miles north of Sioux Falls and 200 miles west of Minneapolis. Livability.com rates Brookings as an ideal community for families, students, young professionals and retirees. It considers Brookings among the safest and most vibrant cities in South Dakota.

The Brookings Public School District educates approximately 3,300 K-12 students and ranks among the state’s highest academic achieving school districts. The district includes three elementary schools, an intermediate school for fourth and fifth grade, one middle school and a high school.

The city also boasts an abundance of attractions and activities, including the Children’s Museum of South Dakota, Dakota Nature Park, South Dakota Art Museum, McCrory Gardens, South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum, Outdoor Adventure Center and the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

Position is open until filled with full consideration given to applications received by April 22, 2020.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.  

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment.  

It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students.  This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14. 

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Sally Gillman at 605-688-4122 or Sally.Gillman@sdstate.edu.

South Dakota State University is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its faculty, staff and students. Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. SDSU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status or any other protected class in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.