International Enrollment Counselor

International Enrollment Counselor
Charleston Southern University

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Executive Director of the Center for Global Engagement, the International Enrollment Counselor oversees recruitment and admissions services for international students, ensures high-quality evaluation of foreign academic credentials, and learns and applies federal regulations pertaining to the reporting of international students. The counselor develops contacts with high schools, colleges/universities, agents, foreign study abroad advisors, and US Embassies; functions as a Designated School Official and Responsible Officer to issue visa documents and handles admission-related immigration issues for current and prospective students.

Key Responsibilities

Within the limits of authorized college policies, procedures, programs, and budgets, the International Enrollment Counselor is responsible for and has the authority to accomplish the following duties:

1.    Verify that all international applicants’ current immigration status is permissible for full-time study.
2.    Prepare admitted students for the visa issuance process and arrival in the U.S. through the creation of pre-arrival packets, registration in courses, and coordination of vaccinations and housing.
3.    Oversee the development and implementation of specific marketing and recruitment strategies for international students.  Visit (in-person or virtual) high schools, language schools, colleges, and universities to recruit international students.  Provide information about educational opportunities at the University.
4.    Initiate phone, print, and electronic contact with applicants and prospective students and provide follow-up with inquiries.
5.    Coordinate international admissions services. Become a proficient user in Slate, our enrollment management platform, and all other University platforms necessary for the position. Review and update admissions forms and letters.  Provide admissions counseling to prospective students (e.g., guide students who are not in F1 status who wish to be full-time international students).  Participate in planning and implementing international student orientation activities.
6.    Collect and review documents submitted for admissions (e.g., foreign and domestic educational transcripts and foreign and domestic bank documents as well as verifications from US sponsors, including employment verifications and Affidavits of Support).
7.    Coordinate articulation agreements and admission processes with partner institutions abroad.
8.    Collect and analyze complex data and information regarding international admissions for colleges and departments as well as partner institutions, foreign recruitment agencies, scholarship agencies, and international organizations.
9.    Oversee the maintenance of the international admissions databases. Track statistics gather data, and create reports (i.e., IIE, Japanese Census, ANDEO, etc.).
10.    Monitor compliance with government regulations, ensuring a high standard of cooperation with FERPA and Department of Homeland Security regulations with respect to admissions practices.
11.    Collaborate with staff and outside agencies in resolving complex prospective student issues relating to admission and all pre-arrival issues (e.g., VISA complications, payment of SEVIS fees, etc.).
12.    Establish cooperative and collaborative relationships with Education USA advisors and US Embassy officials as well as business and industry representatives in the United States.  Collaborate with US Immigration attorneys in the best interest of their clients seeking education.
13.    Oversee the work of student employees.
14.    Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Attributes

Education:  A bachelor’s degree. While not required, if a candidate speaks another language(s), that would be considered advantageous to his/her candidacy.
Experience: Applicants must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, must be computer-literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and must have the ability to learn and utilize new computer software systems effectively.  The counselor must be able to work independently and as part of a team.