The Executive Director reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and provides leadership for the university’s internationalization plan including the International Learning Community, International Studies Certificate, study abroad programs including the university’s CSU in Oxford Program and Spencer House, international student support, visiting and exchange scholars, international faculty development, and international partnerships and relationships.  The Executive Director also manages all budgets and personnel in the Center for International Education.

The Executive Director provides visionary and innovative leadership for internationally engaged faculty and staff and manages the CIE team to maximize students’ global engagement and learning.  He or she develops and implements a comprehensive internationalization strategy and provides guidance to the university leadership on all matters related to international education, including serving on and supporting the Provost’s International Coordinating Committee and the Faculty Senate’s International Education Committee.

An essential part of the Executive Director’s role is to facilitate and support the on-campus International Learning Community and International Studies Certificate.  Both of these programs infuse international and cross-cultural learning across the general education curriculum and within all academic majors. 

The CIE Executive Director is also responsible for overall management of international student and scholar services.  With the International Student Coordinator, the Executive Director ensures that international students receive cross-cultural and supportive services essential for their success.  He or she also coordinates the visiting and exchange scholar program with the CIE Administrative Coordinator.  Responsibilities include ensuring the effective use of the Broadway Crossing Visiting Scholar Apartments and overseeing visiting and exchange scholar approvals.  The Executive Director serves as an Alternate Responsible Official (ARO) for the J-1 visa program and a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 visa program.

The Executive Director provides overall management of study abroad programs with the assistance of the Study Abroad Coordinator.  His or her primary role is training and assisting faculty members who are program directors in developing and leading study abroad programs and overseeing study abroad program development and management to ensure rigorous adherence to academic, safety, and professional standards.  In addition, he or she works in cooperation with the Foundation to ensure the smooth functioning of the Spencer House in Oxford.

The Executive Director manages the university’s international partnerships from initial discussions through formal proposal.  He or she also monitors and supports productive institutional relationships with international partners.  In addition, the Executive Director provides expertise to support international visits and visits potential and existing partners on a periodic basis.

In collaboration with the Provost and the Foundation, the Executive Director develops and maintains community partnerships and solicits grants and donations to support the internationalization of the university.

Minimum qualifications include a terminal degree in a liberal arts discipline and five years’ experience with a broad array of international education experience. General knowledge of F and J visa regulations and administration is necessary and the Executive Director must be legally able to perform the necessary duties to serve as the SEVIS Designated DSO and ARO. The selected candidate must possess excellent writing, communication and computing skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to work as part of a team, a comprehensive vision for international education, and an ability to take initiative. The candidate must hold academic credentials eligible for tenure at the associate professor or professor level in an academic department in the liberal arts and have at least five years of leadership experience in international education.

Columbus State University provides a creative, deeply personal and relevant college experience, which values diversity and inclusion in all forms. The University aspires to have faculty and staff reflect the rich diversity of its student body and the Columbus region. Serving the Southeast while attracting students from around the world, Columbus State thrives on community partnerships to deliver excellence for students who want to achieve personal and professional success in an increasingly global environment. Students at Columbus State University find success in a learning environment that both challenges and mentors them. Our academic mission is to engage students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to thrive in, and contribute to, a pluralistic, complex world.  Just 100 miles southwest of Atlanta, Columbus State University is a proud member of the University System of Georgia, enrolling more than 8,400 students in a wide variety of degree programs, from online degrees to a doctorate in education. Among public regional universities in the South, Columbus State University recently ranked No. 46 in the “Best Colleges” rankings by U.S. News & World Report and No. 1 in the “Best Online Colleges in Georgia” for providing the best opportunities and value for students seeking online training and educational programs by the Affordable Colleges Online.

Columbus State University has a nationally recognized track record of partnership and outreach through efforts such as the Cunningham Center for Leadership Development, Coca-Cola Space Science Center, Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center, and its own residence – the Spencer House – in Oxford, England. The University has two primary campus locations in Columbus, Georgia:  the original campus on 150 acres in midtown Columbus and a beautiful campus in historic downtown Columbus overlooking the Chattahoochee River. The Columbus region, with more than 350,000 residents, is home to world-class enterprises such as Aflac, Synovus, W.C. Bradley Company, TSYS and Ft. Benning, the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters. For additional information about the University, visit our website at www.ColumbusState.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled. Applications for part-time and full-time faculty positions must include transcripts of all academic work, and official transcripts must be presented prior to campus visit if selected for interview. Applicants must have the ability to meet Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) requirements, in particular a minimum of 18 graduate hours in the teaching discipline. Columbus State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, Committed to Diversity in Hiring. A successful criminal background check will be required as a condition of employment.

Required Documents to Submit with Online Application

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial transcripts

All applications and required documents must be submitted using the Columbus State University’s online employment site.   To access the Columbus State University’s online employment site, please visit https://columbusstate.peopleadmin.com/.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Tina Butcher, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Columbus State University, 4225 University Avenue, Columbus, GA 31907; Phone: 706-507-8951.