Study Abroad Advisor

at  Kirkwood Community College

JOB GOAL:

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions. To advance the mission of Kirkwood Global Learning to foster and grow cross-cultural interactions and cross-cultural understanding.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Study Abroad Advisor serves as the principal source of information for Kirkwood faculty, staff and students on all matters related to Global Learning Experiences including Study Abroad programming and Virtual Exchange programming, ensuring Global Learning student learning outcomes are maintained and assessed. The Study Abroad advisor is responsible for maintaining and refining processes and procedures to ensure access and equity for all Kirkwood students to experience global learning during their Kirkwood education. The Study Abroad Advisor also works closely with the Dean of Global Learning and faculty at Kirkwood to ensure safe and healthy study abroad programs thrive and expand. The Study Abroad Advisor directly advises students as well as faculty/staff on global learning opportunities and the procedures involved. This position is responsible for promoting global learning experiences, managing the Study Abroad application process through utilizing Terra Dotta application system, developing and delivering study abroad information to students including addressing information about health and safety, cultural adjustment, application procedures, and financial support. This position is also responsible for promoting virtual exchange, managing virtual exchange programs, coaching faculty on virtual exchange techniques and integration into their curriculum. This position also serves as a liaison to Kirkwood’s international partners, including serving as Kirkwood’s Global Education Network (GEN) coordinator and is responsible for the management of a variety of short-term incoming and outgoing international student groups. The Study Abroad Advisor serves as a direct contact for problems/crisis that may occur with study abroad and/or international students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors Degree
• 2-3 years experience in study abroad advising or international education experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS, LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field
• Professional experience in NAFSA: Association of International Educators

WHY KIRKWOOD:

Kirkwood Community College prides itself on fostering a diverse workforce and values unique perspectives throughout its campus community. The college is a convenient, innovative, visionary educational leader striving to remain affordable and accessible. With more than 140 majors and programs, Kirkwood boasts 16,000 annual college-credit students while maintaining one of the lowest tuitions in the state. All degree-seeking students are eligible for federal financial aid and the college offers more than $3 million in scholarships each year to students from all walks of life.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the principal source of information and principal contact for Kirkwood’s study abroad and virtual exchange programming. This includes maintaining professional knowledge regarding updates on all Study Abroad Professional Practices from NAFSA, Forum on Education Abroad, etc. in order to provide the most up-to-date information and lower the risk factor for all study abroad programming
• Assist and coach faculty on study abroad and virtual exchange curriculum practices including sound development of team dynamics and cross-cultural competence building to develop the best possible intercultural experiences for students
• Advise students on study abroad opportunities and the procedures involved to study abroad
• Provide personal, cultural, and academic advising to international students with attention to problem solving and resolving student issues pre-departure, during travel and post-program.
• Develop a Study Abroad Marketing Plan to creatively promote study abroad opportunities to the Kirkwood community and recruit a diverse population for study abroad via classroom presentations, Study Abroad tables, Study Abroad web site, social networking and more
• Lead and coordinate all elements of Study Abroad Student Orientation program for departing study abroad students.
• Manage all data regarding study abroad students in Terra Dotta including application, selection and registration in Colleague.
• Maintain current professional knowledge of visa requirements for international travel as well as legal requirements of the US Department of State Passport application system, STEP program for embassy registration, Center for Disease Control health information, as well as US State Department travel advisories for foreign travel.
• Collaborate with faculty to develop and secure study abroad travel itineraries for each faculty-led study abroad program. Arrange and secure travel plans for student groups by booking group travel airline tickets, hotels, cultural activities for each group
• Establish and maintain relationships with Kirkwood’s international partners including serving as one of Kirkwood’s Global Education Network (GEN) Coordinators
• Build and maintain database of programs and course transfer equivalencies for semester abroad. Liaison with deans and faculty to ensure equivalencies.
• Maintain resource center in Global Learning and virtually for study, work, research and travel outside the US
• Develop and deliver study abroad information, orientation, including health and safety information and re-entry sessions for all Kirkwood study abroad students
• Manage the study abroad scholarship program in collaboration with the Kirkwood foundation
• Manage the assessment process for study abroad learning outcomes and program efficacy. Ensure assessment data is utilized for continuous improvement and conversation.
• Provide cultural awareness training opportunities to Kirkwood faculty/staff/students on matters of intercultural communication and intercultural competence
• Perform other related work duties as assigned.