Academic Advisor, International Student Specialist

About the Department

Position Duties

Required Qualifications:

· Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.

o LSUS values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply – a degree is not required if the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

· Minimum of one (1) year of related experience in areas such as education, counseling or social work, or customer service.

· Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Advanced degree in student personnel services, higher education administration, international studies, psychology, counseling, or a related field.

· Experience in student development, academic support, enrollment management, or other student support service roles in an educational environment.

· Prior experience in academic advising in higher education, particularly international student advising.

· Experience working with international student populations or cross-cultural programs.

· Knowledge of SEVIS and F-1/J-1 student visa regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Core Competencies:

· Communication: Ability to adjust communication style to suit the audience/customer/situation.

· Collaboration: Ability to work effectively in group settings.

· Service to Customer and LSU: Ability to focuses on providing positive experiences for stakeholders.

· Delivering Results: Ability to focus on achieving outcomes.

· Problem-Solving: Ability to overcome barriers to success.

· Leading Others: Ability to inspire, guide, and support individuals and teams towards achieving common goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

· Ability to assess student needs with empathy, active listening, and critical thinking, while considering cultural context.

· Strong understanding of student development theories and best practices.

· Knowledge of academic advising and admissions processes specific to international students in higher education.

· Knowledge of U.S. immigration regulations pertaining to F-1 and J-1 students, including CPT/OPT, reduced course load, and transfer procedures.

· Familiarity with international student pathways, cultural adjustment issues, and international student success initiatives.

· Effective time management and caseload management skills to prioritize and support wide-ranging student needs.

· Attention to detail with strong administrative skills and a commitment to accuracy in data entry, especially related to academic and immigration records.

· Sound understanding of how advising activities influence international student progress, outcomes, and timely degree completion, with a focus on precise decision-making and task completion.

· Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with other university offices, including Admissions, Records, and the Assistant Dean for International Students' office.

· Proven ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining professionalism, collegiality, and excellent customer service in a diverse environment.

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.

· Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with strong cross-cultural communication skills.

· Dedication to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment that benefits all students, particularly those from diverse international backgrounds.

Other Qualifications

Position Duties & Responsibilities:

Academic Advising & Student Support (70%)

· Serve as a university-wide academic advisor, guiding students in course selection, degree planning, and academic progress across diverse majors and classifications.

· Conduct individual advising sessions to assist students in understanding academic requirements, course equivalencies, and academic planning.

· Administer and interpret assessment tools (e.g., College Student Inventory, Appreciative Advising Inventory, Focus 2 Career) to better understand student needs and tailor interventions.

· Incorporate career readiness initiatives into academic advising, encouraging students to engage in internships, experiential learning, and networking opportunities.

· Administer and interpret assessment tools (e.g., College Student Inventory, Appreciative Advising Inventory) to better understand student needs and tailor interventions.

· Develop personalized success plans based on international students' academic backgrounds, interests, and goals, addressing potential cultural or language barriers.

· Teach at least one (1) First-Year Seminar annually to promote early engagement and student development.

International Student Support Programs (15%)

· Conduct team training sessions to assist fellow academic advisors working with international students in understanding academic policies and procedures as they relate to international student visa status, such as full-time enrollment requirements and reduced course load requests.

· Provide resources and materials to help international students adjust to campus life, find on-campus employment if needed, connect with academic and co-curricular opportunities, and achieve their educational goals, including cultural adjustment support.

· Collaborate with the Athletic Success Specialist on international student athlete advising and support.

· Collaborate closely with the Assistant Dean for International Students, Admissions, Records, Financial Aid, and other units, to streamline processes, enhance support services, and ensure compliance for international students.

· Collaborate on group outreach/educational events, such as international student orientation, cultural adjustment workshops, and immigration information sessions.

· Incorporate career readiness activities into academic advising, encouraging experiential learning, internships, and networking opportunities, with specific guidance on CPT/OPT regulations and U.S. job search strategies for international students.

· Partner with Career Services to track career milestone achievements and ensure seamless support for long-term success, including understanding international student employment options.

Data & Continuous Improvement (15%)

· Maintain accurate, confidential student records and document advising interactions, including notes on immigration-related advice.

· Gather international student feedback to improve advising practices and support initiatives.

· Collaborate with the Admissions and Records offices to ensure accuracy of international student data, transfer credit evaluation, and academic records for compliance and reporting.

· Collaborate within teams and departments to analyze data and refine approaches to improve international student outcomes and retention.

· Stay informed about university policies, degree requirements, and emerging practices in student advising, particularly those relevant to international students.

· Pursue ongoing training related to advising, international student development, immigration regulations, career readiness, and culturally responsive practices.

· Engage in professional conferences, workshops, and certification opportunities in international education and advising to enhance advising skills.

How to apply:

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

For additional information concerning this job posting contact:
Jennifer Isaac

LSUS Department of Human Resource Management

Room 108 Administration Building, LSUS

(318) 797-5279

 LSUS is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women and minorities.   For more information about LSU Shreveport go to www.lsus.edu

LSUS is a State As a Model (SAME) employer that promotes affirmative strategies and goals for employment of individuals with disabilities.