University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Center for Global Engagement – Programs Abroad Office

Programs Abroad Coordinator

Regular Full Time - Exempt

UT Market Range MR07 expected salary $36,500 - $45,000

The Center for Global Engagement, (CGE), is hiring a Programs Abroad Coordinator to join a team of dedicated professionals in our Programs Abroad Office who are committed to fostering global awareness and academic, personal and professional growth by offering a broad range of study, intern, research and service-learning opportunities outside the United States.

CGE is comprised of seven units (English Language Institute, the International House, International Student and Scholar Services, Programs Abroad, Communications, Global Security, Risk and Resilience, & Global Research, Innovation and Partnerships) who are responsible for working throughout campus, across Tennessee and around the world to provide enriching and diverse international experiences for faculty, students, and scholars.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is Tennessee’s flagship university and premier public research institution. We are an R-1 land-grant university with approximately 30,000 students, 9500 faculty and staff, 11 colleges, and over 300 degree programs. There are more than 1600 international students and scholars on the UTK campus. The University is located on a 580-acre campus in the city of Knoxville in eastern Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains. The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus is seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

The City of Knoxville is a hidden gem surrounded by eight gorgeous lakes, with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene including internationally recognized festivals, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural and outdoor activities. UTK is located within easy driving distance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, and Cincinnati. It is only a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people.

Position Summary

The Programs Abroad Coordinator manages a robust portfolio of abroad programs, including global study, international internships, service learning, international service learning, and exchanges; works closely with a variety of on-campus and international stakeholders to develop, renew, negotiate, and manage credit-bearing abroad programs, which includes shepherding programs through the proposal, budgeting and contracting phases; serves as an advisor and liaison to students as they identify, apply to, participate in, and return from abroad programs which align with respective academic and professional goals.

Position Responsibilities

· Program Coordination, Management and Administration

o Manage the development of new and continuing programming, to include the coordination with program providers, the solicitation and review of competing bids, the negotiation of program contracts, and the development of programmatic budgets

o Oversee the development and delivery of international programs and study abroad-specific orientation sessions, materials, and activities for incoming and outgoing students

o Collect and update new and existing information for programs in assigned portfolio, which may include comprehensive management of records and nominations related to exchange programs

o Maintain program, scholarship, and participant information within the Programs Abroad enrollment, application, and risk management software

o Work with faculty along with domestic and international partners on education abroad program creation and renewal processes

o Communicate with international program coordinators on program details, logistics, policies, exchange placements, emergency issues, etc.

o Interface with institutional software platforms to access and review student records (Student Information System (SIS), Banner, etc)

o Notify students of application decisions

o Communicate post-acceptance procedures to students and faculty

o Serve as a liaison between students and program contacts as needed

· Advising and Enrollment Management

o Providing comprehensive advising support to students in identifying, applying to, participating in, and returning from abroad programs which align with academic and professional goals

o Support students with academic considerations, immigration information resources, financial aid eligibility, and scholarship funding

o Shepherd students through program selection, applications, acceptances, and post-decision/pre-departure steps

o Field and address inquiries from students and international partners before, during, and after education abroad programming

o Serve as office's contact person for assigned portfolio of colleges and departments across campus

o Collaborate and communicate with campus partners and supporters/parents of students as necessary during their education abroad processes

o Integrate diversity and inclusion best practices into advising methods

o Review applications, including preparing and certifying documents for partners or other officials

o Liaise with affiliate third party program provider contacts on program and student statuses and enrollment initiatives

o Deliver pre-departure orientation and re-entry programming for education abroad students

o Maintain up-to-date program information for advertising and communications, distribute as needed

o Create and/or support programming for inbound international exchange and direct enrollment students to UT (including but not limited to collection of applications and immigration documentation, paperwork preparation, advising, admissions, enrollment, registration, housing, orientation, integration, and programming)

· Outreach and Special Projects

o Keep current in field standards and maintain active participation in professional organizations affiliated with international programs and study abroad.

o Perform international site visits to institutions and program providers and attend international education conferences as budget and schedule allow

o Coordinate, create, and deliver presentations for individuals and groups of various sizes to promote global education experiences

o Liaise with advising centers, colleges, departments, faculty, and staff at UT to share programs abroad information and updates

o Host and organize meetings for visiting representatives to discuss global education and program information with appropriate UT constituents (regarding student/faculty mobility, recruitment, curriculum mapping, program promotion, and updates)

o Manage and/or assist with diversity, equity, and inclusion training and programming

o Collaborate with colleagues to complete projects and assist in office functions, e.g., annual report, marketing materials, mass emails, handbooks, peer advisor direction, international student orientation

o Participate in professional development and represent UT and the office at applicable conferences through participation and presentations and by committee membership

o Special projects and other duties as assigned

· Risk Management

o Gather and synthesize pertinent risk documentation with program portfolio related to risk management and mitigation logistics, policies, and emergency plans and procedures

o Communicate health and safety information to students and faculty

o Assist in the delivery of pre-departure orientation

o Stay up-to-date with international events and utilize appropriate resources to find global healthy and safety information

o Serve as part of a 24/7 rotation to answer emergency telephone calls from education abroad students and address their needs immediately

Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree and experience working in international education, student services academic advising, international engagement, or a related field.

Education and Experience Preferred: Master’s degree and two years work experience in higher education international education, academic affairs, student advising, or similarly related experience. Working knowledge of a non-English language. Experience with global cross-cultural interactions and engagement, which might include living, working, or studying abroad. Public speaking experience is also preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

· Working knowledge of higher education global programs, standards, requirements, and practices.

· Strong organizational skills demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage time effectively

· Ability to exercise independent judgement and discretion while executing program goals, policies, and regulations

· Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds

· Ability to interact with study abroad program representatives, faculty, and students in a professional manner with an understanding of protocol and confidentiality

· Demonstrated excellent written and oral formal/informal communication skills. Ability to communicate with international partners who are often non-native English speakers

· Ability to work periodic evening and weekend hours

· Ability to travel domestically and internationally

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

· Public speaking experience

· Experience living or studying abroad

· Proficiency in a foreign language

· Familiarity with Terra Dotta software systems

Applicants should submit a cover letter, CV or resume, names and contact information for three professional references, as well as written responses to the prompts below.

PROMPT 1

• Please reply to the following prompt – what actions would you take to resolve challenges described in the scenario below. Your response does not need to exceed one or two paragraphs.

A UT faculty member wants to make a change to their Faculty Directed program in Ghana itinerary 60 days before departure – they want to add a day trip to a city about 70 miles away from their homebase.

What questions would you ask this faculty about the change?

What steps would you take to determine if this change is feasible?

What might be the advantages of making this type of change? What reservations would you have? How would you communicate both the advantages and reservations to faculty and any other stakeholders involved in the program?"

PROMPT 2

· Please send a reply to this student’s email. Please use the UT Program Search for Program information. Your response does not need to exceed one or two paragraphs.

"Hi UTK Programs Abroad.

I’m interested in the *UT in Milan at Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore program. Can you tell me more about it? I’m a sophomore and looking to study abroad next Spring. What is the Housing like? How much does it cost? Can I take my business courses abroad?

Thanks so much!

Andrea Thorton, UTK Class of 2025"