Villanova University’s Office of International Students and Scholars is rooted in values fundamental to the division of Student Life: to support the holistic development of students, to foster thriving through inclusion and belonging, to amplify equity and justice on campus, and to enhance well-being.

The International Student Advisor is responsible for providing a welcoming and supportive presence for Villanova University’s international students and visiting scholars. The advisor will be culturally sensitive, caring, and friendly, having a demonstrated familiarity with and sensitivity to cultural diversity concerns and anti-racism. The advisor will also be responsible for ensuring that international students and visiting scholars receive support and assistance in their communicative needs and their socialization with the practices and culture of American academia. In collaboration with the Director and Assistant Director, the advisor will plan events and programming to help with international students’ transition to the Villanova community.

Villanova University is a nationally ranked university with a vibrant student population supported by dedicated staff and faculty, located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. Villanova’s mission calls us to foster a community where care and respect animate all aspects of university life and where our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion informs our actions every day. At Villanova, we embrace St. Augustine’s belief that we learn best through our relationships and friendships with others, that our ties and connections to one another allow us to improve ourselves and the world around us. At Villanova and in Student Life, we are dedicated to the well-being and inclusion of every person with open collaboration among all of our campus partners to help each person flourish.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University’s mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University’s mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Designs, plans, and implements programs and events that support students in building community with one another and at Villanova to assist in the transition and socialization of International students and scholars. Offer across-campus-outreach for cross-cultural opportunities that support students and scholars in engaging more fully with the Villanova experience. Develops programs and coordinates workshops according to the needs of international students, visiting Scholars and their dependents (as needed).
• Meets one-on-one with non-native English-speaking international students and visiting scholars (and their dependents as appropriate) to assist them with language skills. Coordinates on-campus English as Second Language (ESL) services including an ESL help desk for non-native English-speakers (i.e., this is a separate and distinct service from those offered at the Villanova Writing Center, focusing specifically on the international student and visiting scholar population).
• Acts as liaison with faculty regarding academic and/or language concerns that arise in the classroom setting to support International student success.
• Assists students and scholars in the use of Villanova technology systems such as academic and related online tools (Blackboard, MyNova, Novasis).
• Assists the Office of International Students and Scholars with the Office’s programming throughout the academic year.
• Strengthens relations with counterpart offices of post-secondary educational institutions in the Mainline area. Leads the reinstitution of the Mainline Advisory Group.
• Signatory for travel authorization.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Experience working in a non-profit or higher education environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, within a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.
• Culturally sensitive, caring, and friendly with a demonstrated familiarity with and sensitivity to cultural diversity concerns and anti-racism.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team with others to accomplish shared goals.
• Competence in managing details and working independently including the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a high traffic and busy work environment.
• Strong computer skills and ability to learn new technologies.
• Genuinely cares about students and scholars, their well-being, and their success, along with their families.
• Appreciation for the mission and values of Villanova as an Augustinian and Catholic institution of higher education.

Preferred Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Education, International Affairs, Counseling, or other related field.
• Preferably, 3+ years’ experience working with international populations in the U.S.
• Work experience with students and scholars.
• Strong written and editorial skills.
• Ability to read effectively verbal and nonverbal cues and to adapt communication to the needs of the individual.
• Ability to develop teaching plans that meet the needs of the population served.
• Basic understanding of immigration work.
• Preferably, knowledge of languages other than English.
• Preferably, familiarity with the Mainline area.

Requirements

• Start Date: 8/1/2024 - Approximate
• Education: Bachelor's Degree Required
• Work Experience: 1 - 3 years
• Part/Full Time: Full-Time

Contact / Additional Information

The Office of International Students and Scholars professional staff interacts extensively with students and (short/long-term) visiting scholars. Consequently, it is common for meetings and events to be scheduled beyond traditional work hours. The Advisor should anticipate the need to work into the evenings and on weekends, as necessary, throughout the academic year, particularly during the start of each semester.The Office of International Students and Scholars is a high-traffic and busy work environment with multiple peak periods of work activity across the calendar year. Interruptions of work tasks to attend to phone or walk-in inquiries are the norm. The Office supports students, faculty, and staff in all aspects of their university life and works collaboratively with other offices and academic colleges to meet student needs.

Please apply via Villanova's Career Site: https://jobs.villanova.edu/postings/28469