Manager of Student Life and International Student Affairs

Reports to: Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs

Department: Student Affairs

Status: Full-Time, Exempt

Position Description

This position of Manager of Student Life and International Student Affairs is instrumental in supporting our students and providing them a caring, compassionate, healthy environment in which to blossom and thrive. The position encourages our students to develop themselves and is a driving force in the many initiatives it takes to get students where they want to be.

The position supports programs and initiatives, in conjunction with the Manager of Residence Life, which foster:

• Well-being and increased knowledge of life skills
• Personal safety, and the ability to make good choices
• Emerging health trends
• Cultural traditions
• Inclusion and belonging
• Intellectual and social needs of students

The position maintains a framework of standards and requirements to advise international students and is the primary contact for that segment of the Curtis student population. Curtis acknowledges the unique set of responsibilities and time commitment for this position. This position requires a daily, on-site presence.

Primary Responsibilities

• International Student Advising
  • Thorough orientation for maintaining status in U.S., support cultural adjustment, compliance and policies, and as part of the ESL program
  • Consult with ESL instructor to monitor language acquisition progress
  • I-20 issuance and SEVIS compliance
  • SEVIS maintenance, including registering students each semester
  • General immigration advising re: maintaining status, Department of State advisories
  • Employment advising for international students
    • Optional Practical Training (OPT) applications
    • Authorize Curricular Practical Training (CPT – including performance releases)
  • Long-term advising (desired future visa categories, e.g., O-1, permanent residency)
  • Referral to immigration lawyers, when necessary
  • Prepare and disseminate international student list to all staff at beginning of year
  • Sign student release requests and I-20 travel signatures

• New Student Orientation and Enrollment
• Manage and coordinate enrollment process communications for newly admitted students beginning with Accepted Students Day through arrival (required documents, web page content, orientation, new technologies)
• Develop, implement, and assess all programs during welcome week which support new students orientation to Curtis and cultural adjustment (including special programming for international students), reserve space and catering, disseminate post-orientation survey
• Participate in move in activity (i.e., Parent Welcome Tent and Q & A), in conjunction with the Manager of Residence Life
• Recruit and train student leaders/ambassadors, enhance potential and skills, and provide opportunities for students to participate in orientation
• Assemble speakers (sexual violence, alcohol and drug prevention, mental health, cultural adjustment, safety and security, facilitators for leader training)
• Social Security Card applications, supporting documents and oversight for trip to social security office (center city)
• Communications (flyers, posters, email, social media, small groups)
• New Student Orientation
• Wellness – events, programs, tips, reminders, information on physical and emotional well-being, peer support, suicide prevention, sexual reproductive health, alcohol/drug abuse et al.
• Immigration rules and regulations, travel and employment, counseling
• Health and Wellness
  • Oversight of relationships with external service providers and tracking invoices for:
    • University of Pennsylvania Student Health Service (Penn SHS)
    • Curtis counseling team of five psychologists and three psychiatrists
    • Specialists, chiropractic services
  • Update and produce annual Student Wellness Guide (online) in conjunction with the Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs
  • Lead administrator on the Curtis CARE (Concern, Assessment, Response, and Evaluation) Team poised to respond to situations that could disrupt a student’s academic participation or psychosocial wellbeing
  • Participate in weekly student release request meeting and update personal/medical release request spreadsheet
  • Implement academic accommodations with faculty as needed; assess medical and religious accommodation requests
  • Function as primary contact for any student receiving accommodations under Section 504
    • Health Pre-Screening (for new students)
      • Review immunization questionnaires for completeness
      • Coordinate health pre-screening appointments/required immunizations with Penn SHS
    • Plan and execute annual Wellness Day (health fair, morning fun run, programs, raffles)

• Oversight of Younger/International/Diploma Students Under Age 18
  • Work in conjunction with Associate Dean of Piano Studies and Artistic Initiatives to advise students/parents needing to set up elementary and secondary academic classes outside of Curtis, working closely with academic providers
  • Advise on GED/SAT/ESL needs, home schooling, GED requests, and program transfer applications
  • Proctor online course exams for students enrolled in online high school

• Student Events
  • Help students plan recreational activities
  • Chaperone student activities as required
  • Develop, plan, and execute group activities
  • Secure comp or purchase tickets for small or individual enrichment activities (theater, zoo, performing arts, sports, etc.)
  • Collaborate with members of liberal arts and musical studies faculty to explore opportunities for proposing student life events/activities that support faculty curricula and syllabi

• Taxi Reimbursement program
  • Collect, monitor, and process receipts
  • Request reimbursement checks

• Student Data
  • International student statistics
  • Student body employment eligibility
  • Student body residency for tax purposes
  • Minor student data; schooling and parent information
  • Addresses, birthdates, and other information in student database (MyCampus)

• Assist with Commencement activities
• Maintain Student Quiet Room and 1726 Student Lounge
• Consult with dining services bi-weekly in conjunction with the Manager of Residence Life
• Supervise student workers as needed

Qualifications

• Minimum of three years of related experience within higher education
• Experience working with a highly diverse student population
• Ability to communicate in one or more East Asian languages preferred
• Considerable experience working with college students and demonstrated leadership in planning and implementing purposeful student events and programming
• A minimum of one year of F1 immigration advising
• Experience with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service) regulations and experience with SEVIS procedures required
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand and interpret complex regulations of numerous federal agencies, and apply those regulations to specific academic and employment situations and contexts
• Demonstrated experience developing and delivering presentation(s) and trainings to international students
• Ability to communicate the mission, goals, and activities of the school with credibility, passion, and enthusiasm ( Knowledge of classical music preferred)
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills; evidence of leadership and initiative, tact, diplomacy, attention to detail, creativity, and cultural sensitivity
• Excellent oral, written, and communication skills
• Ability to develop trust and collaborative working relationships with colleagues in Student Services and across departments
• Computer skills, including the proficient use of Microsoft Office/Teams, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat, Canva

Required Core Values

The ideal candidate must exhibit:

• A positive, “can-do” attitude.
• Devotion and dedication to Curtis, its students, alumni, and parents.
• Passion for their work, and contribution to the field and greater good.
• Commitment and accountability for their work, and their ability to effect change.
• Desire and willingness to collaborate, think creatively, and make data-driven decisions.
• Respect, courtesy, and patience for colleagues, other staff, faculty, patrons, core constituents, and volunteers.
• An eagerness to make Curtis a more diverse and inclusive institution.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Routine for office environment
• Work is on-site
• Occasional night and weekend work will be required.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire
• COVID-19 vaccination is a requirement for all positions at the Curtis Institute of Music and all new hires are expected to be fully vaccinated before beginning work

Compensation and Benefits

• $65,000-$75,000 annually salary, commensurate with experience.
• The Curtis Institute of Music offers a number of perks and a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, basic term life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and short and long-term disability insurance, supplemental insurance options, and parental leave to eligible employees.

To Apply

For best consideration, interested and qualified applicants should electronically submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and salary requirements to: human.resources@curtis.edu Please submit applications by May 31, 2023. Curtis offers a competitive salary, commensurate with experience, and an attractive benefits package. Hire is contingent upon the successful passing of PA Act 153 and criminal (ADP) background screenings. No phone calls, please. EOE. URL: https://www.curtis.edu