International Scholar Outreach Coordinator

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Official Title: Academic Services Professional

Working Title: International Scholar Outreach Coordinator

FTE: Full-time 0.625 FTE (62.5%) FTE | Hybrid

Salary Range: $34,500

Position #00628911– Requisition #40216

About the University of Colorado, Denver | Anschutz

CU Denver and CU Anschutz serve as vital pillars of the University of Colorado system. Located in the heart of the city, CU Denver helps make education work for all by offering unique opportunities at a premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs, across seven schools and colleges. Just a few miles away in Aurora, CU Anschutz is a nationally recognized academic medical campus, home to six health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked hospitals—UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children's Hospital Colorado—which together see more than 2.6 million patient visits annually.

While on separate campuses, the two universities collaborate in key areas to provide comprehensive support for students, faculty, and staff. The results are powerful: Together, CU Denver and CU Anschutz have earned an R1 classification for conducting cutting-edge and life-changing research that creates impact in our communities. Additionally, for more than a decade, they have received a national Military Friendly® School designation. For more information visit, ucdenver.edu and cuanschutz.edu.

Job Description

The Office of International Affairs (OIA) develops and advances initiatives that support the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus vision as a leading public university with a global reputation for excellence in learning, research, and creativity, community engagement, and clinical care. OIA partners with the university's schools/colleges and with other university offices to align international student recruitment efforts and services, support academic programs, foster global educational partnerships, facilitate research collaborations, and create global learning opportunities.

International Operations cultivates belonging, community and connection to CU through representation, programming, and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. We advocate for equitable policies, treatment, visibility, and inclusion for international students and scholars through strategic partnerships, collaborations, and education. We provide support and resources to empower the populations we serve to independently navigate university systems and life in Colorado and abroad.

The International Scholar Outreach Coordinator will be responsible for continually and intellectually engaging international scholars from the Anschutz & Denver campuses to maintain a dynamic, intellectual, and strong catalog of programs and events aimed at supporting the cultural and professional needs of scholars and their families. This position will focus on providing support to the international scholars' community on both campuses by responding to their needs from their arrival in Denver and throughout their engagement with the University. Responsibilities will include projects that support the strategic internationalization goals of the university and of OIA, support the J1 visa engagement requirements, as well as deliver events and opportunities to enrich the scholars' experience both professionally and personally through cross-cultural, social, educational, and recreational activities. Events will enhance co-curricular learning, cultivate a strong sense of community, encourage engagement, and promote involvement throughout the university and in the local community. This position collaborates with academic departments and student services offices on both campuses.

International Scholar Outreach Coordinator: What you will do:

Transition Support (25%):

• Provide guidance to international scholars with their transition to Colorado by acting as a point of contact and clearinghouse for information regarding housing, transportation, life in Colorado, emotional health and well-being, and institutional resources/challenges (e.g., student support services, discrimination, etc.).
• Provide additional tailored services for special populations as needed (e.g., new arrivals, cohort programs, etc.).
• Structure communication with newly admitted scholars to foster connection with CU Denver or CU Anschutz, e.g., provide clear pre-arrival information and answer pre-arrival questions through a variety of modalities (email, Zoom, WhatsApp groups).
• Provide assistance and navigation support to scholars who are struggling to navigate university systems.
• Appropriately escalate strategic concerns related to international scholars' ability to successfully transition to life in Colorado or at CU to the Director of International Operations.

International Scholar Engagement, Support, and Advocacy (25%):

• Identify, develop, and present services, resources, and activities that advocate for and support the overall development of international scholars.
• Encourage international scholars, both individually and in groups, to engage with programs, activities, organizations, and academic resources to integrate into the university community.
• Create and implement effective strategies that encourage engagement among domestic and international scholars, students and colleagues, including event/activity planning and implementation.
• Collaborate and develop strong working relationships with academic and service departments to coordinate efforts that support the international populations in academic/social/career success.
• Raise awareness and increase visibility about the services International Affairs provides to the wider campus community through tabling at campus events and meeting with stakeholders from various units.
• Contribute to International Affairs social media accounts, craft high-quality content.
• Responsible for providing project support to the International Student Success Initiatives. Activities may include, but are not limited to, administering surveys, supporting partnerships with campus and off-campus groups, project management/tracking, and developing content for delivery.
• Advocating for university scholars and by extension international students, by researching and identifying activities and engaging opportunities.
• Facilitating active participation among scholars in the CU-ICC WhatsApp group.

Event & Program Planning and Management (40%):

• Plan and execute cross-cultural scholar & student activities, including reserving rooms, researching costs/vendors for activities, securing the necessary supplies, advertising, managing registrations and reminders, leading events, and evaluating the success of the event. Ensure all activities are within allocated budget for each event.
• Facilitate weekly InternationaliTEA gatherings aimed at connecting new incoming international scholars, research staff and faculty with colleagues who are already working at either CU Denver or Anschutz help support a welcoming and inclusive experience.
• Lead the ISCORE program each semester, coordinating between campus partners to recruit students and scholars to participate in the program.
• Providing support and encouragement to spouses, partners and dependents of International scholars who chose to leave their countries and follow them abroad. Responsible for finding engaging opportunities for their families and making sure that their needs are also met.
• Encourage scholars to participate voluntarily in activities that are for the purpose of sharing the language, culture, or history of their home country with Americans.
• The Coordinator will have to show cross-cultural skills, writing proficiency, social comfort, organizational skill, counseling, and other expertise to develop strong connections among constituents, and within the office (OIA) as a whole, based on trust, respect, and inclusiveness.

Administrative Responsibilities (10%):

• Represent OIA on student & staff relevant committees as needed.
• Maximize a limited budget allocated for engagement activities, comply with university fiscal policies when making purchases, and prepare expense reports in a timely manner.
• Report out annual activities through an annual Transition & Engagement report to share with partners in OIA & around the University

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, international education, or a related field.
• 1 year of experience in event planning, reporting and presentation.
• Prior experience working in international or intercultural programs.

Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Master's degree in Business Administration, International Education, or related field.
• Experience in project management.
• Living abroad experience.
• Experience working with executive level leadership on deadlines.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication skills, including interpersonal communication skills, presentation skills, and writing skills; demonstrated command of written and spoken English.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing outstanding customer service skills.
• Demonstrate an exceptional understanding of access and engagement with a commitment to developing equitable practices.
• Ability to articulate the University's mission and the importance of the strategic plan.
• Cross-cultural skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with people from other cultures; demonstrated sensitivity to and respect for a diverse population; passion for fostering cultural understanding.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to be flexible and calm with unexpected occurrences.
• Exercise discretion, accountability and responsibility in all areas.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• Attend events at multiple locations at University of Colorado Denver and Anschutz Medical Campus.
• Must have or be able to obtain a driver's license that is valid in Colorado and have access to a personal vehicle to transport large cargo and event materials around and between the two campuses.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure. This position may work from home one day per week but is required to work from one of OIA's campus locations for all other work days each week.
• This position has 2 options for employment: Option #1: 25 hours per week, year-round. Option #2: 4 x 8-hour days per week (32 hours/week) August through May, with June and July off.