Associate Director

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The International Engagement and Success Office (IESO) is a newly established and mission-driven unit within the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) at the University of Mississippi. IESO serves as the welcoming arm of the university’s global community, leading efforts to foster belonging, inclusion, and success for international students, scholars, and alumni. We are committed to ensuring that every international student feels seen, supported, and connected, beginning from the moment of admission and continuing through graduation and beyond.

IESO focuses on proactive, holistic student support through culturally competent programming, strategic engagement initiatives, and cross-campus partnerships. The office supports the full lifecycle of international student success, including pre-arrival communication, orientation, mentorship programs, cultural events, campus integration, and career development in partnership with campus units. IESO also plays a vital role in advancing intercultural learning opportunities for domestic students through campus-wide initiatives such as the Global Ambassador program.

Our team is passionate, creative, and highly collaborative. We value innovation, cultural humility, and a student-centered approach. We work closely with partners across OGE, including Immigration Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS), the Intensive English Program, International Enrollment Management, and Study Abroad, to ensure seamless support for students and scholars from around the world.

The International Engagement and Success Office is uniquely positioned to help lead the university’s global engagement strategy by connecting academic excellence with excellent student experiences. The Associate Director will join a team committed to building meaningful programs, elevating student voices, and creating a more globally aware and welcoming campus.

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information.  For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Family -Student & Academic Services

Sub-Family -Student Programs

Career Track / Level - M2

Grade -9

Role Summary

Oversees the day-to-day operations of student support services to help students with unique needs to navigate and succeed in higher education, supervises personnel, participates in the development of programs and initiatives, and identifies resources and/or funding to support program activities in support of the University's enrollment, retention, and graduation goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the strategic direction, programming, and daily operations of the International Engagement and Success Office (IESO), ensuring alignment with the university’s internationalization and student success goals.
• Develop and implement holistic support programs for international students and scholars, including pre-arrival communications, welcome activities, mentorship initiatives, and ongoing engagement efforts throughout the student lifecycle.
• Foster a welcoming environment among international students, scholars, and alumni by coordinating cultural events, community-building activities, and collaborative initiatives with student organizations and campus partners.
• Design and oversee intercultural learning opportunities for all students, including workshops and programming that promotes cultural competency across the campus.
• Collaborate with offices across the Office of Global Engagement (OGE), including Immigration Services for Students and Scholars (ISSS), Study Abroad, International Enrollment Management, and the Intensive English Program, to deliver seamless, coordinated support for international populations.
• Serve as a campus resource and advocate on matters of international student integration and engagement, building relationships with academic departments, student affairs units, and administrative offices.
• Supervise and mentor professional and student staff, including onboarding, performance evaluation, and professional development.
• Support data collection, assessment, and reporting related to international student experience, retention, and program outcomes; use findings to guide improvements and demonstrate impact.
• Engage alumni and former international students, including those living abroad, in programming, mentorship, and outreach efforts.
• Support international scholar and faculty engagement through programming and connection to broader campus resources.

Examples of Work Performed

• Coordinate and implement pre-arrival communications for newly admitted international students using email campaign tools; track engagement metrics to assess impact on student yield.
• Join OGE leadership meetings and lead weekly staff meetings for the IESO set agendas, and assign follow-up tasks; regularly collaborate with other OGE units to ensure alignment and knowledge sharing.
• Develop and manage international student programs, including welcome events, mentorship pairings, cultural festivals, and academic workshops
• Prepare reports on international student engagement trends and student success outcomes; use data to support resource requests and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with OGE's marketing assistant to design and schedule promotional campaigns for cultural and professional development events.
• Supervise student staff and interns, including scheduling, mentoring, and conducting performance evaluations in coordination with HR and student employment systems.
• Liaise with campus partners to co-host networking events and workshops focused on international student career pathways and campus integration.
• Manage alumni engagement initiatives, including planning virtual meetups and newsletters.
• Support visiting scholars and international faculty by organizing orientation sessions and connecting them with appropriate campus resources.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Provides consultation, guidance, and advice to students of a specific targeted and/or underrepresented population; connects students to and/or provides direct resources and services to support individual student success.
2. Coordinates and schedules outreach and retention activities, providing direction and guidance, and resolving operational and administrative problems.
3. Participates in the development, design, and planning of student programs and initiatives designed to attract, retain, and serve students within the specific population of interest.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: (3) Three Years Experience including supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates are requested to submit a resume and cover letter. Preferred qualifications include directly coordinating international student support services in a university position and possess a Master's degree or higher.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:  These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion:  The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 10 pounds.

Vision:  Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination:  While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.