Asst. Dean for International Student Support

The New England Conservatory, an independent not-for-profit institution, is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools, educating and training musicians of all ages from around the world. With music students representing more than 40 countries, NEC cultivates a diverse, dynamic community for students, providing them with performance opportunities and high-caliber training by 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of making and teaching music through college-level musical training in classical, jazz, and Contemporary Improvisation. It offers unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships that empower students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC's mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, the Preparatory School and School of Continuing Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students, and adults

Job Summary

As one of the world’s leading conservatories, NEC attracts young artists of extraordinary talent from across the world who study with our distinguished faculty at our historic campus on Boston’s Avenue of the Arts. International students comprise approximately one-half of our population of ~800 students. The Assistant Dean for International Student Support supervises all processes and programs related to the academic success and personal well-being of these students. The role partners closely with the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising and other colleagues in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs and supervises the Sr. Coordinator of Academic Affairs for International and Academic Advising. The role reports to the Dean and Chief Academic Officer.

Essential Functions

International Student Support

• Ensure accuracy of information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and all related certification requirements.
• Oversee the creation, updating, and tracking of SEVIS files, and ensure that all staff regularly working in the system are appropriately equipped to do so
• Serve as the main point of contact in addressing and resolving a variety of complex immigration issues requiring considerable knowledge of immigration rules and regulations. .
• Supervise processing of student petitions and applications to include issuing of new I-20s, and authorizations for CPT, OPT, reduced courseload, change of status, medical leave, and economic hardship employment. Ensure that procedures and workflows are aligned with best practices and that students understand and adhere to the guidelines surrounding such authorizations.
• Ensure NEC’s compliance with federal immigration regulations for all College F-1 students, as governed by USCIS regulations.
• Draft and serve as primary signatory on all official correspondence related to student immigration status, including termination letters to students who have failed to maintain status.
• Assume primary responsibility for all information related to international student support on the NEC website. Coordinate with colleagues in Marketing/Communications to ensure that material is accurate and regularly updated. Produce additional print and digital media as necessary.
• Work with colleagues in Admissions and Enrollment to ensure effective and efficient onboarding processes for incoming F-1 students.
• Partner closely with the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising in providing strategic leadership for the Office of Academic Affairs.
• Coordinate and plan programs that support the unique needs of F-1 international students, including the development and implementation of retention strategies and new student orientation programs. Work collaboratively with Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising and Director of Cultural Equity and Belonging in planning, developing, and delivering such programming.
• Liaise with faculty to ensure effective and equitable information sharing and programming for international students.
• Assist language faculty and staff in Academic Affairs in ensuring that incoming students who are non-native speakers of English are placed in the classes that are best suited to their academic and personal needs.
• Supervise the Sr. Coordinator of Academic Affairs for International and Academic Advising
  
  

Academic Advising

• Maintain a personal caseload of ~100 advisees. Review students’ curricular requirements, monitor their progress, and help them meet educational and career goals, remedy academic difficulties, and better understand NEC’s purposes and policies. Serve as advisees’ first point of contact for all matters related to their academic standing at NEC. Refer matters to other colleagues as necessary.
• Partner closely with OASA colleagues to monitor and address individual student issues. Serve as a member of the CARE (Concern, Assessment, Response, Evaluation) Team.
  
  

Other

• Seek opportunities for professional development (annual NAFSA conference, etc.) and integrate knowledge gained from such opportunities into work at NEC.
• Supervise training and authorization process for DSOs and ensure that in-person staffing in the office is sufficient to meet the most immediate needs of students who may visit the office during the business day.
• Supervise training of OASA student workers in peer advising specific to international student concerns. Work collaboratively with colleagues in OASA and in other departments to deliver training of student workers/leaders in international student concerns.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college/university and three to five years of relevant professional experience required.
• Experience with SEVIS and US law concerning student visa status required.
• Prior experience as a PDSO or DSO strongly preferred.
• Excellent computer skills with sound knowledge of Google Suite, MS Office Suite, Ellucian Power Campus, and database management.
• Interest in working as part of a team with interdependent workflows.
• Patience, resourcefulness, and demonstrated ability to solve problems creatively and strategically
• Superb abilities in written and verbal communication, including skill in communicating clearly with students who are non-native speakers of English.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of and interest in music and the particular needs of conservatory students is a plus.
• Commitment to NEC’s values of cultural equity and belonging
  
  

Benefits

• Generous paid time off including a combination of vacation, sick, personal, birthday and holidays. Benefits provided on day 1. Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance with options for a Health Reimbursement Account, a Health Savings Account and/or Flexible Healthcare and Dependent Care savings account. Additional benefits with health insurance election including virtual primary, medical convenience and behavioral health care, fitness and weight loss reimbursements and discounted bike share memberships
• Retirement plan with a 403b employer contribution of 5% with no vesting period
• Transit Benefits with 50% of approved costs covered up to $130 a month.
• Basic Life/AD&D insurance, Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability provided at no cost to employee with voluntary insurance offered for employee, spouse and children
• Free participation in NEC classes and ensembles as well as discounted individual lessons
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted YMCA membership
• Discounts on NEC cafeteria
• Free NEC concerts and library borrowing privileges
• Free access to some local museums and aquarium
  
  

NEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

Annual Clery Report

In accordance with the federal Clery and Campus SaVE Acts, New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) commits to providing all current and prospective students and employees with access to the annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report. This report will provide the reader with a record of statistics regarding crimes that were reported in the NEC community during the previous three years as well as College policies and procedures, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. This report may be accessed here . A paper copy can be requested by contacting NEC's Director of Public Safety at 290 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115.