Associate Director, International, Military & Veteran Students

SUMMARY

If you are considering a new job, work environment or career opportunities you should look at Mercer County Community College. MCCC is a publicly supported college that is open to all and dedicated to student success. In order to support that mission Mercer seeks to attract, retain, and support a skilled diverse workforce, which is our most valuable resource. We thrive on and are proud of our diversity and open access. Our students and employees find the College large enough for a multitude of offerings yet small enough to keep the “Community” feel for all. The College consists of two campuses, the James Kearney Campus (JKC) in the capital city of Trenton, NJ and a larger 292-acre suburban campus just six miles north of Trenton.  

As part of the comprehensive and valuable benefits package, the College offers credit course tuition waivers for employees, spouses and dependents. This allows for employees and their families to take advantage of earning a higher education degree without the high cost. The College offers students 69 Degree Program Options and 35 Credit Certificates from which to choose.  

JOB DUTIES

• Oversees all aspects of the recruitment, enrollment, retention, development, implementation, supervision, and evaluation of all programs, activities, policies, and services offered to international and Military & Veteran students at Mercer County Community College (MCCC). 
• Responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and management of programs, services, and resources that support international students and military veterans on campus.
• First point of contact and subject matter expert related to international and Military & Veteran student services. 
• Provide vision, leadership, and strategic direction to ensure that MCCC is inclusive and accessible for international and Military & Veteran students.
• Lead and support targeted enrollment efforts, retention and engagement activities, and community-building programs and celebrations for international and Military & Veteran students.
• Collaborates with various departments to expand and refine support and secure access for International and Military & Veteran students. 
• Work closely with academic, administrative, and external partners to enhance the student experience, while also advocating for the unique needs of these student groups.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage and supervise College efforts supporting international and Military & Veteran students, including strategic planning and implementation; design and supervision of service delivery; policy and procedure development; writing and overseeing publications and web-based information. 
• Manage and support all aspects of international student services, including admissions, immigration compliance, cultural adjustment, and academic success.
• Remain current regarding laws, regulations, and best practices for international and Military & Veteran students by engaging in ongoing professional development and sharing those best practices with students, employees, and the Mercer County community. 
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations and maintain accurate international student enrollment and visa status records. Including, but not limited to:

1. Maintain all F1 student records; manage all reporting through the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS)
2. Maintain point of contact for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), complete the Designated School Official (DSO) annual verification, and file for recertification. 

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of international and Military & Veteran students’ populations; compile data and generate reports on student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; and assess program effectiveness and student outcomes to inform strategic planning and decision-making.
• Cultivate a welcoming and inclusive environment for international and Military & Veteran students by organizing cultural events and promoting cross-cultural understanding; represent the College by serving on and participating in groups and organizations that serve and champion international and Military & Veteran students
• Work with and support Enrollment Services on student outreach efforts, ensuring prospective students are informed of all international and Military & Veteran student’s services offered at the College. These include participation in enrollment programs such as Open Houses, New Student Orientations, and other college and community events as required.
• Develop workshops, trainings and professional development opportunities for faculty and staff to help them better understand International and Military & Veteran students’ needs and best practices. 
• Collaborate with relevant departments as well as external stakeholders to develop and deliver orientation, support programs, and services tailored to the specific needs of International and Military & Veteran students.
• Providing guidance and support on enrollment, financial aid, and academic matters. 
• Coordinate efforts to secure and administer veterans' educational benefits, including maintaining accurate records and submitting required reports.
• Collaborate with the International Designated Signing Official (DSO) to provide guidance and support on enrollment, financial aid, and academic matters, including maintaining accurate records and submitting required reports.
• Build and maintain relationships with external organizations, agencies, and community partners to expand resources and opportunities for International and Military & Veteran students.
• Represent MCCC at community events, high schools, cultural centers, and military installations to promote the college's programs and services; coordinate campus visits, orientations, and information sessions tailored to the needs of International and Military & Veteran student populations.
• Execute other duties as may be assigned.

• Supervise the Coordinator of Military & Veteran Students, School Certifying Official (SCO)

 WORKING CONDITIONS

 ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS 

• Positions in this class typically require ability to use a keyboard, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

• Sedentary Work:  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects including the human body.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Proven knowledge of federal and state regulations and policies governing Veterans’ Affairs and International Student Services 
• Demonstrated experience developing annual departmental plan to meet strategic goals. Tracking and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and preparing monthly and annual reports
• Demonstrated experience managing a departmental budget, and preparing fiscal year budget requests with supporting documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
• Proficiency with various computer software programs, including Microsoft Office, project management tools, student success platforms, customer relationship management (CRM) software (e.g., Ellucian-Recruit and CRM Advise), student information systems (e.g., Ellucian-Colleague), queuing software (e.g., QLess)
• Ability to provide leadership in both student populations, ensuring academic success, compliance with regulations, and creating an inclusive environment.
• Strong understanding of the unique needs of international students and military veterans.
• Ability to build relationships with diverse student populations, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Cultural competency and understanding of the challenges facing diverse populations in higher education.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in higher education, counseling, student affairs, or a related field.
• Familiarity with Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS)
• Four (4) years of experience working with Veteran and International students, preferably within postsecondary educational institutions. 
• Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Internal Students and School Certifying Official, (SCO) Veteran Affairs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated success in building and leading a team to effectively serve a culturally and socioeconomically diverse college population is highly desirable. 
• Experience writing and administering grants.
• Five (5) years’ experience supervising full-time and part-time employees (excluding student workers under Federal Work Study program) in a multi-union environment. 
• Experience preparing and providing interim, bi-annual, and annual employee reviews.
• Bilingual: English/Spanish

CORE COMPETENCIES  

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures. 

Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.

Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships. 

Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Building Partnerships: Identifying opportunities and taking action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, units, or organizations to help achieve business goals.

Diversity & Inclusion: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches

Mercer County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age, disability, handicap or other legally protected status in its provision of employment, education, and activities, or other services. 

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Mercer County Community College is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled 

Disclaimer: This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.