International Student & Scholar Services Manager​/Principal Designated School Official; PDSO

Concordia University is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.

Position Summary

The International Student & Scholar Services Manager provides strategic leadership, immigration advising, compliance oversight, and holistic student support for international students and scholars at Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor. This position serves as the lead professional for international student services and is responsible for ensuring a welcoming, compliant, and student-centered experience from arrival through graduation and post-completion transitions.

Serving as a Designated School Official (DSO), and preferably as Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer (RO), the International Student Services Manager oversees F-1 and J-1 immigration advising, SEVIS reporting, institutional compliance, orientation, employment authorization processes, and campus-wide education related to international student regulations and support.

This role requires a thoughtful balance of regulatory expertise, student advocacy, operational excellence, and cross-cultural sensitivity. The successful candidate will be a collaborative problem-solver who can interpret complex immigration regulations, build scalable processes, support students from diverse cultural backgrounds, and partner across the university to promote international student success, retention, and compliance. This position reports to the AVP for International Affairs.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Immigration Advising and Student Support

• Serve as a primary advisor and advocate for international students and scholars regarding immigration requirements, cultural adjustment, academic transition, campus resources, and life in the United States.
• Advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars on maintaining lawful status, including enrollment requirements, travel and re-entry, program extensions, transfers, reduced course loads, leaves of absence, reinstatement, change of status, and employment-related matters.
• Provide advising through scheduled appointments, walk-in hours, Zoom meetings, email communication, workshops, and proactive student outreach.
• Support students experiencing academic, behavioral, health, welfare, financial, or cultural adjustment concerns by coordinating with appropriate campus partners.
• Support airport transportation and arrival logistics for new international students as needed.
• Collaborate with the international team and campus partners to support International Education Week and other global engagement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen belonging, retention, and student success among international students.
• Develop workshops and programs on topics such as maintaining status, employment authorization, OPT/CPT, taxes, cultural adjustment, career preparation, health insurance, and life after graduation.

SEVIS Compliance and Immigration Documentation

• Serve as a Designated School Official and, as applicable, Primary Designated School Official for CUWAA.
• Maintain accurate and timely SEVIS records for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors.
• Issue, update, and authorize immigration documents, including Forms I-20 and DS-2019, in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy.
• Monitor student enrollment, academic status, address updates, program changes, employment authorizations, practical training, travel signatures, transfers, and program extensions to ensure timely federal reporting.
• Complete SEVIS registration each term and report required changes within federally mandated timelines.
• Manage and process student requests through Terra Dotta and related university systems.
• Support transfer-out processes for students moving between U.S. institutions.
• Maintain strong documentation practices and accurate student records in alignment with institutional, SEVP, DHS, and DOS requirements.

PDSO/RO Leadership and Institutional Compliance

• Lead institutional compliance efforts related to F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
• Serve as the institution's lead immigration compliance expert, providing guidance on nuanced or complex F-1 and J-1 cases.
• Supervise, train, and support DSOs, student workers, and other staff involved in international student services and immigration processes.
• Monitor federal regulations, SEVP broadcast messages, policy guidance, and best practices; update university processes and communications accordingly.
• Coordinate required SEVIS-related institutional updates, recertification materials, annual reports, redesignation materials, and other federal documentation.
• Represent CUWAA during site visits, audits, recertification reviews, and other compliance-related engagements.
• Conduct periodic internal compliance reviews to identify and address potential risks before they become violations.
• Establish and maintain institutional policies, procedures, and resources for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars.
• Maintain…