Director, International Student & Scholar Affairs

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Director, International Student & Scholar Affairs to join International Student & Scholar Affairs.

The Director, International Student & Scholar Affairs (ISSA) will develop, oversee, consult, and coordinate various aspects of the international student and scholar experience, including immigration compliance, cultural adjustment, acclimation, support and care.  This role ensures office plans, goals, and initiatives are aligned to and supportive of the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) mission and strategic plan. The director serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for RISD’s participation in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). As the primary contact for all issues impacting RISD’s international students and scholars, the Director is responsible for the leadership and management of the ISSA office and the hiring, professional development, and evaluation of its staff. This position leads compliance for the F-1 visa program as the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as the Responsible Officer (RO). 

The Director is the primary advocate for international students and scholars, and serves as a liaison with groups such as faculty, staff, government agencies, businesses, and local communities, and as a consultant throughout the RISD community on the various issues impacting international students and scholars. This individual will subscribe to and support our commitment to Social Justice, Equity and Inclusion. The Director promotes teamwork and respect for people of diverse backgrounds in the workplace and in all interactions with internal and external clientele, and effectively communicates verbally and in writing with customers from diverse backgrounds. The Director will also have access to, and ensure the confidentiality of, protected health information under HIPAA and student information protected by FERPA.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as RISD’s liaison to relevant government agencies in the interest of maintaining F-1 and J-1 visa holders at RISD. Represent RISD to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its bureaus – Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S.  Department of State, US. Department of Labor, and Social Security Administration. The Director is designated by the President and Board of RISD to act as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and as the Responsible Officer (RO).

• Administer all related functions as the College’s senior immigration officer. Lead regulatory compliance for the F-1 visa and J-1 visa programs.  Oversee the integrity and maintenance of records in the SEVIS database. Monitor legal status of all non-immigrants enrolled at RISD.  

• Develops, implements, updates and maintains the ISSA Policy and Operations Manual, ensuring compliance to Homeland Security regulations and RISD guidelines.

• Advise the College-at-large on compliance with student immigration regulations.  Forecast and address opportunities and issues that impact RISD’s ability to achieve its mission with F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

• Inform relevant stakeholders on pertinent topics germane to U.S. regulations and compliance by remaining up to date with literature, governmental policies, and international realities.

• Coordinate compliance, ongoing education, and workflow with all other campus DSOs and AROs at RISD (including but not limited to colleagues in Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar).

• Coordinate processing of immigration documents for international visitors and guests, beyond the F and J visa programs. Apply current professional standards and practices that fulfill RISD’s regulatory compliance requirements and educational purposes.

Student Success, Advocacy and Campus Partnerships

• Oversee the advising and education of non-immigrant students and their families on visa status, U.S. employment, OPT, CPT, and academic compliance matters. 

• Coordinate processing of immigration documents for the international student population of undergraduate and graduate F-1 visa holders (totaling approximately 970+ current students and 1300+ total active records, including graduates (alumni/alumnae/alumx).