International Student Advisor / DSO

Job Description

International Student Advisor / Designated School Official (DSO) | West Virginia Wesleyan College

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at West Virginia Wesleyan College, a private residential liberal arts college located in Buckhannon, West Virginia. The institution is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all its students. This role is crucial for guiding international students through their academic, personal, and cultural journeys while ensuring strict adherence to federal regulations governing international education. The advisor’s work significantly enriches the global perspective of the campus community and directly contributes to student success and institutional compliance.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Permanent
• Location: Buckhannon, WV (In-person)
• Team: Student Affairs / International Programs, reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs
• Mission: Serve as the primary resource for international students, supporting their adjustment and ensuring compliance with federal immigration regulations.
• Tech Stack: SEVIS

What You’ll Actually Do
• Immigration Compliance: Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for the College’s F-1 visa program, ensuring compliance with all SEVP and SEVIS reporting requirements.
• Student Advising: Advise international students on F-1 visa regulations, including enrollment status, work authorization (CPT/OPT), travel, and reinstatement processes.
• Student Support: Assist students in navigating academic, personal, and cultural adjustment issues by providing one-on-one advising, referrals, and programming.
• Campus Collaboration: Collaborate with Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, and Academic Affairs to support international student recruitment, enrollment, and retention.
• Program Management: Oversee orientation and onboarding programs for new international students, including arrival support and cultural adjustment activities.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Bachelor’s degree is required. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency is a mandatory federal requirement for Designated School Official (DSO) designation.
• Experience: Minimum of two years of experience working directly with international students or in a comparable role within a higher education setting.
• Skills: Demonstrated strong understanding of F-1 visa regulations and SEVIS requirements. Possesses excellent communication, interpersonal, and intercultural skills to effectively support a diverse student population.
• Bonus: Prior experience in a higher education environment is preferred.