Director, Study Abroad Office

This position supports UIC's internationalization strategy, spearheaded by the Office of Global Engagement's (OGE), by providing innovative leadership to develop, implement, manage, and market a diverse range of study abroad programs, including faculty-direct, embedded, exchange, research, internship and direct enroll programs that increase UIC students' access to global learning opportunities. Under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Global Engagement, the Study Abroad Office (SAO) Director coordinates with academic and administrative units to develop and support study abroad policies and procedures, including relevant government regulations, and student safety. The SAO Director manages the International Travel Safety portal and advises the VPGE on international travel risks.

Strategic Planning and Goal Setting

• Serve as principal advisor to the Vice Provost for Global Engagement (VPGE) on all aspects of UIC’s study abroad initiatives.
• Develop, negotiate, and manage study abroad programs in concert with faculty members, academic units, international university partners and academic consortia.
• Participate on campus committees which have a significant impact on study abroad.
• Work with academic units and faculty members to expand faculty-directed study abroad programs—both short-term and embedded study abroad—as well as exchanges, and research and internships abroad.
• Support OGE in expanding scholarships, grants, and donations to increase UIC’s students’ access to study abroad.

• Increase access to study abroad opportunities for a highly diverse student population by developing and managing innovative strategic marketing and advising.
• Ensure oversight of program quality, including appropriate academic affiliation/accreditation; on-site student support; and health, safety, and risk management protocols.

• Execute leadership functions regarding study abroad, including regulatory compliance, institutional relations on campus and abroad, marketing, finance, human resources, student enrollment, and student health and safety in close coordination with the OGE and, as appropriate, with other key UIC units.
• In collaboration with Student Affairs, Undergraduate Affairs, Financial Aid Office, and other key units, create and manage protocols related to student discipline, legal compliance, disabilities, registration, financial aid, and scholarships.

• Collaborate with the Office of International Affairs and Outreach to review and certify the implementation of contractual agreements between UIC and domestic/international universities and academic consortia partners.
• Formulate, establish, review, and execute operational protocols in collaboration with colleges and key campus units (e.g., financial aid, and the registrar’s office) based on established national best practices.
• Provide management reports, analyses, data, budget updates, and information on a regular basis and as requested by the VPGE. 

• Manage and update the International Travel Safety portal in keeping with UIC’s International Travel Safety Policy. 
• Review campus wide ITS enrollments and respond to questions and concerns regarding ITS enrollment.
• Provide regular international travel safety risk assessments and play a key role in campus-wide international travel risk management.

• Provide professional expertise and leadership of a team of study abroad professionals. Plan, assign and review work of staff to ensure that group objectives are met. Hire, train, develop and manage staff to ensure that a qualified staff exists to meet SAO and OGE objectives.