Job Summary

The International Student and Scholar Services Director provides leadership for international student and scholar services, federal immigration compliance, global recruitment, and student success initiatives. Serving as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for Bluegrass Community and Technical College, the Director holds responsibility for maintaining the college’s authorization to enroll nonimmigrant students under SEVP, ensuring full compliance with F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 federal regulations, and working with the Associate Dean of Global Learning to mitigate institutional risk associated with immigration violations and international and national policy priorities and shifts that impact F1 student enrollment.

This role combines compliance oversight, strategic enrollment management, federal reporting responsibilities, and international student recruitment and retention initiatives, while supervising professional staff, student employees, and either supporting or leading key grant‑funded programs. The Director functions as the campus authority on international student and scholar matters and represents the College with federal agencies, partner institutions, and global stakeholders.

Job Duties:

Federal Immigration Compliance & Institutional Authorization

• Serve as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) with full institutional authority for SEVP compliance, reporting, and federal accountability.
  
  
• Issue, amend, cancel, and manage Forms I‑20 and DS‑2019, ensuring adherence to all SEVP, DHS, ICE, and USCIS regulations.
  
  
• Maintain and update the college’s Form I‑17, manage biennial SEVP recertification, and safeguard institutional eligibility to enroll international students.
  
  
• Monitor and audit SEVIS records continuously; identify compliance risks; resolve violations; and implement corrective actions to prevent institutional sanctions, fines, or loss of certification.
  
  
• Interpret and operationalize frequent and complex federal regulatory changes impacting F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 populations; develop campus protocols and training accordingly.
  
  
• Serve as primary institutional liaison to SEVP, USCIS, embassies, port‑of‑entry officials, and sponsoring agencies.

Oversight of Immigration Benefits & Employment Authorization

• Review, approve, and monitor Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT/PCOPT), and on‑campus employment in SEVIS.
  
  
• Prepare and submit OPT documentation for USCIS adjudication; advise students and departments on compliance‑sensitive employment practices.
  
  
• Ensure student worker programs remain fully compliant with federal visa restrictions, wage regulations, and institutional policies.

Leadership and Program Management

• Lead and train the campus Designated School Official (DSO) team, ensuring consistent, accurate execution of all immigration‑related processes.
  
  
• Develop policies, procedures, workflows, and training materials that standardize compliance and service delivery across the College.
  
  
• Manage operational and program budgets tied to international student services and employment initiatives.

International Recruitment and Enrollment

• Lead strategic international outreach, recruitment, and enrollment initiatives for F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 students, directly contributing millions of dollars annually in tuition revenue.
  
  
• Plan, implement, and assess recruitment strategies, partnerships, and special projects aligned with institutional enrollment and retention goals.
  
  
• Oversee digital recruitment platforms, website content, and social media in collaboration with Strategic Communications.
  
  
• Serve as a central point of coordination between Admissions, Global Learning, and external partners.
  

Student Success, Retention, and Engagement

• Design and deliver mandatory international student orientation, pre‑arrival programming, and the Summer ELL Prep Academy.
  
  
• Provide advanced advising and coaching on academic progress, visa status, cultural adjustment, transfer pathways, and career development.
  
  
• Proactively monitor student performance and intervene to support retention, persistence, and degree completion.
  
  
• Connect students and scholars with academic, wellness, legal, housing, and community resources.

Scholar and Grant‑Funded Program Administration

• Support J‑1 scholar initiatives, sponsored programs, and special projects.
  
  
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, grant deliverables, and federal reporting obligations.
  

Global Engagement & Professional Representation

• Represent BCTC at professional conferences and organizations such as NAFSA, remaining current on evolving immigration policy and best practices.
  
  
• Participate in domestic and international travel for recruitment, partnership development, and professional advancement.
  
  
• Actively contribute leadership to BCTC Global Learning initiatives and cross‑institutional collaborations.
• Occasional travel required
  
  
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree (Education, Higher Education, Social Work, World Languages, Cultural Studies, or related field) and six years of related experience, or equivalent.  
• Must meet federal eligibility requirements to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO), including U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
• A valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree and five years or related experience or equivalent
  
  
• Bilingual in English and French, Arabic, Swahili, Spanish, Portuguese or other world languages with strong verbal and written communication skills.
  
  
• Experience working as a Designated School Official and familiarity with F1, M1, and J1 visa compliance, advising, and support.
  
  
• NAFSA DSO Advisor Training Certificate.
  
  

Additional Skills Requested:

• Willingness to work non-traditional schedules to address student needs.
  
  
• Commitment to the mission of a comprehensive community and technical college and student success.
  
  
• Personal and professional integrity with an emphasis on confidentiality and attention to detail.
  
  
• Must be self-motivated and able to manage multiple projects at once.
  
  
• Must have a strong understanding and knowledge of international education rules as they apply to F1 students and their dependents and a willingness to learn and support students from a variety of cultural, social, and economical backgrounds.

Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act

Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.