GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
The Director of Global Engagement & International Partnership Programs supports the strategic divisional vision by providing operational oversight and programmatic coordination for Marywood University’s international partnerships, global engagement initiatives, education abroad programming, and intercultural learning initiatives. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Global Initiatives & Programs, the Director advances the University’s mission of fostering globally engaged, culturally responsive, and ethically grounded educational experiences for students, faculty, staff, and international partners.
The Director serves as the primary institutional liaison for designated international partnerships and education abroad initiatives, overseeing the development, implementation, administration, assessment, and sustainability of global academic pathways, international cohort programs, dual-degree partnerships, exchange collaborations, faculty-led programs, and immersive intercultural engagement opportunities.
This position manages the operational lifecycle of international partnership and education abroad programs, including recruitment support, admissions coordination, enrollment management, student services, partner relations, compliance processes, risk management, program assessment, and intercultural programming. The Director collaborates extensively across campus with offices including Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Life, Registrar, Finance, Marketing & Communications, and the University PDSO/DSO team to ensure seamless support services and strategic alignment of global initiatives.
Grounded in best practices established by NAFSA, AIEA, The Forum on Education Abroad, NASPA, and ACPA, the Director promotes ethical global engagement, inclusive internationalization, student success, institutional compliance, and sustainable global partnerships while cultivating a welcoming and globally connected campus community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
I. International Partnership Program Leadership & Administration
Works with the Assistant Dean to administer international partnership programs and global academic collaborations including:
- Coordinate and oversee operational management of international partnership pathways
- Manage partnership-related administrative processes including:
- Coordinate with the admissions office for admissions workflows, applicant tracking and enrollment management
- Initial admissions document collection
- Course registration for cohorts
- Coordination with the registrar for maintenance and execution of academic scheduling and partnership calendars
- Maintenance of student and partnership records
- Faculty and partnership agreement tracking and maintenance including coordination with appropriate university offices on agreement matters
- Program timelines and operational deliverables
- Coordinate with the Fiscal Affairs Department on matters related to partnership billing and invoicing
- Maintenance of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) including:
- Collaborate with academic departments and faculty
II. Education Abroad Program Development & Global Mobility
Provide leadership for the development, coordination, implementation, and assessment of Marywood University’s education abroad portfolio.
Identify, evaluate, and recommend new education abroad sites and international partner organizations using institutional risk frameworks and best practices from The Forum on Education Abroad. This position will also charge operational oversight assistant to the Marywood international branch campus sites.
Coordinate education abroad operations including:
● Application and selection processes
● Participant advising and communication
● Pre-departure orientation
● Re-entry programming
● Travel coordination support
● Program documentation and timelines
Develop and facilitate programming related to:
● Intercultural learning
● Cultural adjustment
● Ethical global engagement
● Identity awareness
● Health and safety abroad
● Global citizenship development
Maintain accurate education abroad records, policies, procedures, and assessment documentation using university systems and education abroad management platforms.
Monitor global risk conditions, travel advisories, and international mobility considerations while collaborating with university leadership on health, safety, and crisis response planning.
III. Student Services, Intercultural Engagement & Campus Programming
Support the transition, retention, and success of international students and participants within partnership and global engagement programs.
Collaborate with Global Initiatives & Program staff and campus offices to increase international student participation in student events and activities.
Develop opportunities for meaningful engagement between domestic and international students, faculty, alumni, and community organizations within the Scranton, PA region and beyond.
Foster a welcoming and inclusive campus environment that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for globally diverse populations.
IV. Compliance, Risk Management & Institutional Reporting
Ensure compliance with university policies, accreditation expectations, federal regulations, and international education best practices.
Collaborate closely with the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), Designated School Officials (DSOs), Registrar’s Office, and related campus units.
Maintain awareness of evolving global mobility regulations, international education standards, and risk management practices.
Coordinate collection and maintenance of:
● Course evaluations
● Academic documentation
● Syllabi archives
● Student records
● Program assessment materials
Generate reports and analyses related to the following under the direction of the Assistant Dean and alongside the divisional staff respective to areas of responsibility for:
● Global and Marywood partnership program and education abroad enrollment trends
● Program participation
● Student outcomes
● Institutional assessment
● Accreditation documentation
● Strategic planning initiatives
Coordinate with academic departments to implement accreditation and MOU complaint assessment strategies
V. Faculty Collaboration & Institutional Engagement
Collaborate with Assistant Dean, faculty and university leadership to create and support globally inclusive teaching, internationalization initiatives, and intercultural learning outcomes.
Support faculty engaged in:
● Education abroad leadership
● International partnership programs
● Globally inclusive curriculum development
● Internationalized classroom practices (including but not limited to MOOC and COIL initiatives)
Coordinate workshops, training sessions, and professional development opportunities
Represent Marywood University in professional associations, conferences, and partnership meetings related to international education and global engagement as needed.
Contribute to divisional and university-wide strategic initiatives that advance student success, global learning, diversity, equity, inclusion, and institutional internationalization.
Supervise and co-mentor graduate assistants, student workers, peer mentors, interns, or other support personnel as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (knowledge, skill, abilities):
Professional & Technical
- Knowledge of international education administration, partnership development, and education abroad operations
- Understanding of international student services, immigration processes, and compliance standards
- Familiarity with best practices established by NAFSA, AIEA, NASPA, ACPA, and The Forum on Education Abroad
- Experience managing complex projects, multiple timelines, and cross-functional initiatives
- Proficiency with student information systems, CRM platforms (Slate preferred), and education abroad management systems
- Strong analytical, organizational, and data management skill
Interpersonal & Cultural
- Excellent written, verbal, and intercultural communication skills
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies and international partners
- Demonstrated leadership, initiative, and strategic thinking
- Professional discretion and ability to manage confidential information
- Commitment to ethical and inclusive global engagement practices
Student-Centered & Global Competencies
- Intercultural humility and cultural responsiveness
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
- Student-centered advising and support orientation
- Adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement mindset
- Demonstrated commitment to global learning and internationalization
REQUIRED EDUCATION & WORK EXPERIENCE:
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in International Education, Higher Education Administration, Global Studies, Student Affairs, Education, Communications, Business, or a related field
- Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in international education, education abroad, global engagement, international partnerships, admissions, or related higher education administration
- Experience coordinating international programs, partnerships, or student support services
- Experience working with culturally diverse populations
- Eligibility to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and collaborate with the PDSO regarding SEVIS compliance and international student processes
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in International Education, Higher Education Administration, Student Affairs, Global Studies, or a related field
- Experience developing or managing education abroad programs and international partnerships
- Familiarity with international credential evaluation processes
- Experience with education abroad management platforms (e.g., Terra Dotta)
- Prior international study, work, or living experience
- Fluency or proficiency in an additional language (e.g., Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, Korean)
- Experience with strategic planning, assessment, and program evaluation
WORK SCHEDULE:
- 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, Monday–Friday, 7 hours per day
- Some evening, weekend, and occasional international or domestic travel may be required for university events, partnership activities, education abroad programming, and visiting delegations.
DISCLAIMER: While not comprehensive, this job description lists activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Apply for Director of Global Engagement & International Partnership Programs online