Study Abroad Advisor, Staff Associate
Department Summary:
From Bridgewater State Universitys inception in 1840 by Horace Mann as one of the first normal schools in America to the current day, BSU has worked to ensure that our students receive an accessible, affordable, and exceptional education. BSU aspires to be the leader in our mission class for closing equity gaps for Black/Cape Verdean, Latinx, Native American, Asian, and other students of color. BSUs institutional values, the work of the Presidents Special Task Force on Racial Justice, and leadership of the Leading for Change Higher Education Diversity Consortium underscore the campus commitment to racial equity and other forms of social justice.
The Study Abroad Office is committed to serving and supporting our racially and ethnically diverse campus community, advocating for our students, making study abroad accessible for all students, promoting cultural competence, intercultural understanding, and academic learning. We promote and support international education through high-impact programs and services including semesters abroad, travel courses, study away programs, international student teaching, international internships and global service-learning programs. Our office provides study abroad advising, sponsors educational activities, sponsors pre-departure and re-entry programming, and coordinates travel and study scholarships for our students. As a unit within the Dr. Edward W. Minnock Center for International Engagement, the Study Abroad Office actively contributes to the Universitys comprehensive global engagement mission and goals.
Position Summary:
Serving a diverse campus community, the Study Abroad Advisor will support and advance BSU students successful participation on a variety of study abroad and study away experiences, contribute to the Universitys global engagement goals, and our commitment to inclusivity and social justice. The Study Abroad Advisor will work closely with interested and participating students and collaboratively with colleagues to increase participation rates including among under-represented student populations.
We are committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity, and ensures that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included.
This is a full-time, 12-month APA position and is subject to the terms of that union agreement.
Position Type: APA Professional
Essential Duties:
- Serve as the Study Abroad Office senior academic advisor providing strategic direction on current policies and emerging best practices for student advising in international education and providing training and resources to colleagues and graduate students.
- Manage a study abroad program portfolio including the ISEP Exchange Program, National Student Exchange and BSU Direct Enroll Programs (250+ program opportunities combined), coordinating with program partners, host universities, BSU collaborating departments and faculty advisors.
- Provide academic, financial and program advising to up to 250 students annually interested and participating on study abroad/study away programs with a commitment to addressing equitable access for all BSU students.
- Manage an annual portfolio of six to eight BSU Travel Courses from concept to post-program reporting that includes working with faculty on program design; identifying and contracting with program providers; delivering necessary pre-travel logistical support; developing marketing and promotional materials; and managing student advising, enrollment and pre-travel preparation.
- Provide operational management of Study Abroad department budgets ($67K), program budgets ($370K) and scholarships budgets ($120K).
- Serve as department lead for the Study Abroad CRM, Symplicity Horizons, including current database management and future module build outs; providing training to office staff, graduate students, and BSU faculty partners; and liaising with Symplicity IT staff and BSU IT Department for systems integration, maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Manage and advance the BSU Study Abroad National Scholarship Programs including campus promotions, student advising and mentorship, and coordinating with BSU departments and faculty advisors. Identified national scholarships include but are not limited to U.S. State Department Gilman Scholarship, Killam Fulbright Foundation Fellowship, Boren Scholarship, and Critical Language Scholarship.
- Provide department leadership for the Global Ambassadors Study Abroad Alumni Program and day-to-day supervision of the department graduate assistant, student workers, and interns.
- Liaise with appropriate BSU study abroad institutional partners, U.S. agencies, and foreign government agencies to coordinate study abroad student enrollment.
- Assist the Director with day-to-day management of the Study Abroad Office and implementation of related programs, policies, budgets and initiatives.
- Staff the BSU Study Abroad 24/7 Emergency Phone and serve as the first point of contact on a limited basis during the Directors scheduled leaves.
- Represent the Study Abroad Office to external partners, institutions and government agencies in the Directors absence.
- Develop marketing and outreach plans to promote diverse student recruitment, enrollment and success.
- Develop and deliver study abroad programs, events, and workshops to support and prepare students seeking international opportunities.
- Assess and monitor student needs and trends as they relate to study abroad; recommend new initiatives and programs to meet those needs based on best practices.
- Represent BSU and the Study Abroad Office at appropriate professional associations and conferences and engage in organizational leadership activities.
- Participate on BSU committees and task forces where appropriate and when time permits.
- Attend related trainings, workshops, and conferences, as time and situation permit, to remain current on topics and best practices in international education.
- Serve as backup for the Study Abroad Emergency cell phone when required.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree.
- Two years of professional experience in the international education field.
- Prior study abroad and/or international work, internship or living experiences.
- Knowledge of higher education principals, international education best practices, cultural competences, and student advising following the guidelines of leading organizations in the field.
- Ability to communicate clearly and advise all on study abroad programs to a diverse array of audiences.
- Sensitivity and commitment to issues of access, equity, inclusion and cultural awareness as it relates to study abroad programs.
- Ability to follow all policies and procedures with a keen attention to detail.
- Experience developing and managing a CRM system.
- Excellent attention to detail due to high impact of error.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and comfort communicating with prospective, current, and returned study abroad students, parents or guardians, faculty, and staff.
- Demonstrated ability to work in high-paced situations with effective time management skills, attention to detail, and resourcefulness to solve problems.
- Position requires sensitivity to human concerns and student needs, as well as flexibility, patience, and professional integrity.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
- Willingness and ability to engage in periodic evening and weekend work as required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Masters degree in international education, international affairs, student affairs or other related discipline.
- Working knowledge of study abroad enrollment management platforms, Symplicity Horizons
- Proficiency in a second language.
Work Environment:
Bridgewater State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employee with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please complete and submit this electronic form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BridgewaterStateUniv&layout_id=18
Special Conditions for Eligibility:
Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer.
This position is not eligible for H-1B sponsorship.
Salary Range: $65,000-$70,000
Posting Number: S01167P
Open Date: 12/20/2024
Close Date: 01/21/2025
Open Until Filled: Special Instructions to Applicants:
Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position:
- A minimum of three (3) professional reference entries in space provided on the application form.
- Resume/CV
- Cover Letter
- Equity and Inclusion Statement- a personal statement on a candidates past efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. The equity and inclusion statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss scholarship, professional skills, and demonstrable experience that would enhance the universitys efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidates application materials.
Bridgewater State University (BSU) is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer which actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce. We are dedicated to providing educational, working and living environments that value the diverse backgrounds of all people.
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