Position Summary:

The Study Abroad Coordinator has primary responsibility for coordination of Study Abroad Programs (both faculty-led, short-term courses/excursions, semester-long, overseas opportunities, and visiting scholars) which entails student advising, admissions, program promotion, pre-departure and re-entry programming as well as overall program coordination.

The Coordinator plays a key role in forging and maintaining strong global and regional global engagement partnerships and programs. The Coordinator shares the university’s commitment to providing inclusive and accessible services and programming to all OCU students regardless of background.

The Study Abroad Coordinator reports to the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Demonstrate an attitude and behaviors that reflect the mission and core values of the department and the university.

Study Abroad Advising and Logistical Support

• Advise students on program requirements, applications, and travel proposal process for study abroad
• Advise students on health and safety, cross-cultural communication, travel planning and logistics
• Facilitate the application process, application review, and the admissions process for both faculty-led and semester abroad programs
• Review and make admissions and scholarship decisions in cooperation with select programs/faculty
• Coordinate travel, housing, schedules, activities, and cost for faculty-led programs with global partners
• Provide faculty/student support for the necessary legal documentation such as passports and visas including
• Design, prepare, and execute pre-departure orientations and workshops as well as re-entry events
• Hold walk-in advising hours and consult with individual student groups or organizations by appointment
• Coordinate with departments on short-term overseas classes
• Coordinate J-1 Exchange Visitor Program including the J-1 petition process as needed. Manages accurate record of visiting scholar interest/activity, screening potential scholars (e.g., interest, letter of inquiry, collecting CV, and assessing language skills), connecting the scholar with the appropriate college/school.
• Serve as the Responsible Officer (RO) under the Exchange Visitor Program to issue DS 2019s for sponsored students
• Work with departments to facilitate the application process and administrate guidelines for the exchange visitor program

Program Promotion and Support

• Develop and implement recruitment plan to enhance Study Abroad participation to meet program objectives
• Develop and/or coordinate the development of promotional materials and marketing efforts
• Support the program’s social media and online presence
• Represent Study Abroad and global engagement to key constituencies such as current and prospective students, their families, university entities, and alumni. Foster and maintain positive, frequent, and meaningful engagement.
• Generally, promote study abroad and global engagement initiatives, projects, programs, and activities across campus

Coordination of Administrative Operations

• Manage an operational budget and work with Student Financial Services for fees and payment
• Coordinate the university’s agreements with exchange partners
• Maintain current and accurate student records and prepare reports for areas of responsibility
• Ensure that our partnerships and MOUs are current and our contract agreements are fulfilled; work with International Admissions to record and keep a functioning/equitable balance of student exchanges based on the partner institute agreements
• Administer student assessment, gather feedback, and provide suggestions for continued program development and improvement
• Assist the registrar in the in the timely transfer of course credit
• Work with the Director of Assessment and Institutional Research to define and collect key metrics for program assessment
• Hire and oversee student workers as needed
• Keep current in field standards and maintain knowledge of best practices

Other duties as assigned by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Required Skills

• Effective communication and public speaking skills, ability to work on several projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks, as well as exercise good judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive experiences in a student-centered environment.
• Demonstrated intercultural competency and sensitivity.
• Sense of humor, flexibility and willingness to work collaboratively as part of a team in a fast-paced student-centered environment.
• Strong computing and technology skills which include working with and learning new software and web-based application systems (e.g., Study Abroad software).
• Ability to travel occasionally and work irregular hours (some evenings and weekends) as required.
• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position

Required Experience

• Must be U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to serve as Designated School Official.
• Required: Bachelor’s Degree. A minimum of two years of related experience in program coordination. Some experience studying, working, teaching, traveling, and/or volunteering abroad.
• Preferred: Master's degree. Familiarity with higher education and knowledge of language(s) other than English. Some experience counseling, teaching, or working with students, preferably in a college setting.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for minimum requirements.

• Effective communication and public speaking skills, ability to work on several projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks, as well as exercise good judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive experiences in a student-centered environment.
• Demonstrated intercultural competency and sensitivity.
• Sense of humor, flexibility and willingness to work collaboratively as part of a team in a fast-paced student-centered environment.
• Strong computing and technology skills which include working with and learning new software and web-based application systems (e.g., Study Abroad software).
• Ability to travel occasionally and work irregular hours (some evenings and weekends) as required.
• Knowledge of trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position

• Must be U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to serve as Designated School Official.
• Required: Bachelor’s Degree. A minimum of two years of related experience in program coordination. Some experience studying, working, teaching, traveling, and/or volunteering abroad.
• Preferred: Master's degree. Familiarity with higher education and knowledge of language(s) other than English. Some experience counseling, teaching, or working with students, preferably in a college setting.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for minimum requirements.