Director, Study Abroad Programs

Director of Study Abroad Programs 

International Programs 

Georgia State University 

The Office of International Initiatives invites applications for the position of Director of Study Abroad Programs. This position provides strategic vision and leadership in the direction and administration of study abroad programs, including supervising and developing the study abroad team, overseeing risk management for study abroad, developing and upholding policies and procedures related to study abroad, and working with faculty and academic leadership to integrate study abroad into the educational experience at Georgia State University. The Director serves as the campus subject matter expert in study abroad, leads initiatives to increase access to and participation in study abroad, and collaborates with academic units to develop international programs for students. The Director directly supervises one professional staff member and indirectly oversees four staff members, multiple student assistants and graduate research assistants. The Director also serves on the leadership team for International Initiatives and reports directly to the Senior Director of the Office for International Initiatives.  

Georgia State University, founded in 1913, has a mission of excellence in teaching, research and service. Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, this major research university has an enrollment of more than 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students. GSU also incorporates Perimeter College, a two-year college serving students across five Atlanta-area campuses. Study Abroad Programs is a unit of the Office of International Initiatives. Other major units of International Initiatives include International Partnerships and Agreements, Special Programs for Global Engagement, Virtual Exchange, and Global Scholar Distinction program. GSU is nationally recognized as a leader in international education, having won the 2022 IIE Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education and the 2023 Senator Paul Simon Award for Outstanding Campus Internationalization. 

WHAT MAKES The Office of International Programs A GREAT PLACE? 

• A flexible work environment  

• Generous benefits, including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, etc. 

• A knowledge-sharing organization that works collaboratively with various partners. 

• Professional development opportunity and mentorship 

• A rapidly growing center within an academic setting 

• HERE IS WHAT YOU WILL DO  

• Study Abroad Recruitment – develop strategies to continually increase study abroad participation and identify areas of opportunity for on-campus collaboration; stay attuned to real and perceived barriers to student participation; work with campus partners to reduce barriers to increase access to and participation in study abroad. 

• Study Abroad Program Development - advise and assist faculty with GSU-sponsored study abroad program development, administration and approval; regularly review GSU’s study abroad program portfolio to ensure that programs are a good fit for GSU academics and offer a variety of global learning experiences at an affordable price point; seek out strategic opportunities to create new study abroad programs in collaboration with faculty and campus partners; work with academic units to integrate study abroad into the GSU educational experience; develop and apply vetting protocol for study abroad programs; contribute to development and renewal of international agreements; regularly communicate with study abroad partners.  

• Study Abroad Management Policies – recommend and uphold policies and procedures related to study abroad programs in coordination with campus partners and in compliance with USG policies and guidelines; develop and maintain standard operating procedures for study abroad operations; regularly review and update guidelines related to faculty-led study abroad program proposals and program management; liaise with Legal Affairs as needed.  

• Student Advisement and Outreach - oversee staff in their duties of student advisement and outreach; oversee study abroad marketing and promotions in cooperation with OII Marketing and PR Manager. Communicate with academic advisement staff at college and university levels to promote effective advisement of students for study abroad. 

• Risk Management and Crisis Response - oversee protocols for study abroad crisis prevention and management; identify weaknesses and possible liability issues and initiate revision on a continual basis; serve as Study Abroad Crisis Coordinator, taking the lead in university crisis response; ensure compliance with laws and institutional policies related to Clery Act, Title IX, HIPAA, ADA, and FERPA; coordinate requests for study abroad travel to high risk locations; coordinate regular training and orientations for faculty program leaders and student participants.  

• Supervision of Staff – hire, train, and supervise Study Abroad Programs staff; provide professional development opportunities.  

• Data Collection, Reporting/Analytics, and Assessment – ensure the integrity of data collected in Terra Dotta; prepare annual and special reports as needed for the Associate Provost, Provost, Board of Regents/USG, and IIE (Open Doors). Develop and execute assessment plan that evaluates the effectiveness of study abroad programming and advising. 

• Budget Responsibilities – in collaboration with the Business Manager, forecast and manage the budget of the International Education Fee (IEF) Study Abroad Scholarship Program and review faculty-led program budgets.   

• Scholarship Administration - oversee staff in their duties of scholarship administration; advocate for additional study abroad scholarship funding.  

• Internal Collaboration - collaborate with other offices to increase visibility of study abroad, promote international educational exchange, and identify opportunities for growth. Participate in OII Leadership meetings and contribute to OII’s strategic initiatives.   

• Subject Matter Expert: stay informed of industry best practices best practices and trends through active participation in professional networks such as the Forum on Education Abroad and NAFSA. Regularly provide updates to campus stakeholders about study abroad operations and participate in relevant campus committees. Participate regularly in the University System of Georgia System Council on International Education. 

Minimum Hiring Qualifications:

Master's degree and four years of proven leadership in international education program experience; or a combination of education and experience.

Preferred Hiring Qualifications: 

Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a study-abroad office

·         Experience working directly with risk management protocols in study abroad

·         Experience supervising staff and students

·         Evidence of the ability to collaborate effectively with university colleagues in the creation, support and management of study abroad programs

·         Strong management, team-building, and communication skills

·         Evidence of significant leadership experience at the state, regional or national level on issues concerning study abroad 

Experience studying, living, or working abroad

·         Experience using Terra Dotta software

·         Proficiency in a second language

·         Excellent decision-making, analytical and reporting experience, and organizational skills

·         Demonstrated high work ethic with willingness to work flexible hours, as needed

·         Strategic vision for the development of innovative and effective study abroad programming

·         Other duties as assigned

To be fully considered for this position all candidates must submit the following at the time of submission:

A complete and accurate GSU application, Resume, Cover Letter (Recommended) 

Final candidates must provide three professional references.

#LI-KH1