Position: Program Manager, International Student Services

Department: Upper School, Department of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) in collaboration with the Office of Student Life (OSL)

Location: Wigglesworth Hall, Milton Academy Campus, Milton, MA

Hours: Full-time with the flexibility to work nights and weekends

FLSA: Exempt

Classification: Staff (12-month)

Milton Academy is an independent college preparatory K–12 school, boarding and day in grades 9–12, located just outside of Boston.

Milton Academy cultivates in our students a passion for learning and a respect for others. Milton students grow by developing their own identities, learning from and listening to the lived experiences of others, and living and working among peers whose differences they accept with respect and care.

In our ongoing work to create an environment that confronts bias, injustice, and bigotry, we encourage each other to be open to learning, explore our histories and identities, and seek to understand the world around us with a critical lens. At Milton, we prepare students to partner with their future communities to create a more just world, and to have the courage to speak up and live by our motto, “Dare to be true.”

Summary of Position:

The International Student Services Program Manager oversees the development and implementation of programming for international students who are in the residential life program at Milton Academy and provides support and creates connections within and across the international community. Beginning each August, programming comprises multiple events and activities across the course of the year; these activities require both day, evening, and weekend presence and supervision of students both on and off campus. Additionally, the Program Manager builds community through connection and advocacy for international students and their families. The Program Manager also oversees and implements the student ambassador and host family program for international students. The individual consults with faculty, staff, and administrators to provide guidance and to help ensure that international students have a positive experience academically, co-curricularly, and as residents on campus. Finally, the Program Manager is a broader member of the Upper School community, and may teach one academic class, coach one season of athletics, and/or support other areas of the Upper School program.

This position is overseen by the Department of Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) with close collaboration with the Office of Student Life (OSL) team (the Dean of Students, Associate Dean of Students, Director of Residential Life). It reports to the Upper School Director of Equity and Inclusion and meets regularly with the Upper School Dean of Students.

The Program Manager is a residential role, and is expected to live on Milton Academy’s campus to facilitate support for the international community throughout the year.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversee programming that welcomes and supports international students, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the school's academic, social, and cultural life.

  • Plan and implement an inclusive orientation program for new international students and their families, including modules for students that will occur throughout the academic year.

  • Develop and implement an international orientation mentor training program, such that mentors develop leadership skills with an eye to the cultural differences expected in the United States as they help onboard new students.

  • Lead affinity groups, including the International Student Club, which includes planning and implementing an agenda for bi-weekly meetings.

  • Develop and implement new employee and student leadership training for working with international students in conjunction with the Office of Student Life.

  • Plan and implement activities for international students, including off campus activities and sometimes in collaboration with the SAA.

  • Support publications and culture clubs related to international students.

  • Coordinate and lead monthly activities, as well as chaperone international student day trips to conferences and special outings planned for long weekends, ensuring an engaging and supportive experience for students.

• Partner with families to best support the needs of international students.

  • Serve as a resource for parents and guardians of international students, including but not limited to participating in online and in-person parent information sessions.

  • Assess the needs of parents of international students and recommend services (e.g. translation services) that may be helpful to the families.

  • Foster relationships between parents of international students and student advisors; provide guidance to advisors, as necessary, to help them support parents of international students.

  • Cultivate a communications plan document to support clear, open interaction with all current international families, including interpretation services.

  • Manage the host family program, identifying and coordinating with local families to host students.

  • Work with Admissions and DEIJ to coordinate the Bridge program for newly enrolled international families, matching them with returning international students and families.

• Actively collaborate with fellow DEIJ team members to lead and support equity and inclusion initiatives across campus.

  • Attend Upper School DEIJ student board meetings and support related efforts.

  • Support the Transitions Program and New Student Orientation Program, including student leadership training.

  • Plan and lead DEIJ events for students and families in collaboration with other DEIJ team members.

  • Chaperone students at regional and national conferences.

  • Support student groups in planning assemblies and initiatives.

  • Participate in DEIJ-related admission events.

• Collaborate across departments to ensure the success of international students across all aspects of student life.

• Meet regularly with the Dean of Students, Director of Residential Life, House Heads, and Class Deans to effectively support international students within the boarding community.

• Collaborate with the Director of Residential Life to determine housing assignments for new students.

• Collaborate with the Office of Development and Alumni Relations as needed.

• Work with the Designated School Official (DSO) in the school’s admissions office to answer questions from families related to non-immigrant status/visas, including F-1 status.

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with the advisors of international students on ways to support them, including but not limited to, medical appointments, travel arrangements, and academic assistance.

• Attend DEIJ team meetings, House Head meetings, and the Office of Student Life meetings, as well as one-on-one meetings with supervisor.

• Network and connect regularly with international student coordinators from other independent schools to help ensure that the program is a best practice program.

• Execute administrative duties and spearhead logistics critical to the success of all programming.

  • Submit expense receipts and support other needed activities for the department to complete monthly financial reports.

  • Develop and maintain a shared system of tracking expenses for approved international student programming with the Upper School Director of Equity and Inclusion and comply with Business Office budget and reimbursement policies.

  • Organize campus arrival and departure of international students for opening of school, school breaks, and the end of the school year in coordination with the Office of Student Life and the Director of Residential Life.

• Teach one academic class, coach one season of athletics, and/or support other areas of the Upper School program.

• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Advising

• Serve as an advisor to a group of up to nine students, engaging in advisor meetings each week.

• Connect, support, communicate, encourage, and celebrate each advisee

  • Facilitate students' social-emotional learning and growth in alignment with all school programming through small group meetings.

  • Build deep relationships with each advisee and assist them in navigating challenges they may encounter.

  • Form relationships with and act as a liaison between the school and advisee families; serve as the first point of contact between the school and families.

• Read and be familiar with all relevant materials, most importantly the Student Handbook and the sections of the US Faculty Handbook on academic regulations and diploma requirements.

• Be informed about course offerings for the following year and help each advisee select programs that are challenging and appropriate, as well as areas of special interest.

• Review each advisee’s grades and comments.

• Craft formal advisor reports for each advisee two times per year, offering overarching perspectives on their progress, and acknowledging a broader view of their academic and community achievements at Milton.

• Should an advisee need additional support in a particular area, be in steady contact with the advisee’s teachers, class deans, house heads, and/or other committees as needed.

• Attend all upper school student required weekly assemblies, programming, and special events (e.g., community service day, pep rallies).

• Attend class trips, retreats, and social events arranged by the director of student activities or the class dean.

Community

• Be a visible, accessible presence around campus.

• Contribute to creating a positive community culture that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.

• Share in the enforcement of our expectations for students.

• Actively participate in greater community enrichment activities, such as advising a student activity, acting as a faculty sponsor to a student club, coaching an athletic team, leading an intramural sport or acting as an affinity group advisor.

• Complete all chaperone and/or supervisory duty, as assigned; lead and facilitate weekend programming / activities and supervise recreational activities both on and off campus.

Residential Life

• Act as a mentor and role model in all areas of the residential program, demonstrating a commitment to the success of each student, especially in the areas of social and emotional development.

• Contribute to creating a positive community culture within the dorms that ensures students are heard, seen, valued, and cared for.

• Communicate regularly with other house staff as an opportunity to check in about the students in the dorm.

• Attend at least one house dinner per week with the dorm community.

Other Professional Expectations and Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with students, parents, peers, administrators, and community members.

• Act in a manner that is respectful, generous toward others, supportive of colleagues, and based in a belief in the competence and good intentions of all members of the community.

• Communicate openly and promptly, supporting colleagues, students, and the integrity of the institution in conversations with students and parents.

• Create and maintain classroom and campus environments that are open and flexible, reflecting the school’s values related to diversity, equity, and belonging.

• Strive to grow and improve professionally, demonstrating a commitment to continuing professional development in alignment with the upper school’s growth statements.

• Exhibit skills in collaborative problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork.

• Meet deadlines.

• Attend all school-wide, divisional, and faculty meetings and events and serve on committees as required.

• Prepare for and participate in the opening of school programming, family visit days, graduation, and all other key student/family moments that are part of the school calendar.

• Complete school-required training.

• Abide by the school’s policies and procedures as outlined in the provided handbooks.

• Serve as a mandated reporter in support of school risk management.

• Communicate with the appropriate supervisor when unable to meet any professional obligation.

Supervision to be received: Supervised by the Upper School Director of Equity and Inclusion with a dotted line to the Upper School Dean of Students.

Supervision to be exercised: There are no direct reports for this position; however, the ability to work both collaboratively with other administrators and departments and independently to make decisions is critical.

Education/Certification/Licensure

Required: A bachelor’s degree

Preferred: A master’s degree

Experience

Required: A minimum of three years of proven experience working with
international high school students

Preferred: Experience working in an independent boarding / day school

Track record of support for international students, families and/or

communities within a broader educational context

Competencies

Required:

• Understanding of and ability to navigate cultural differences, fostering an inclusive environment for international students and their families.

• Experience in designing, executing, and evaluating programs, activities, and events tailored to the needs of international students within a residential life setting.

• Ability to support and advocate for international students, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met both academically and socially.

• Understanding of the evolving needs of the international student body and the school, adjusting programs and strategies as necessary.

• Desire to support the development of an equitable and inclusive environment for all students.

• Ability to provide guidance and consultation to school leadership, faculty, and staff to ensure policies and practices are inclusive and beneficial to international students.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated computer expertise, including proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external constituencies.

• Understanding of confidentiality and related issues.

• Receptive to supervision and professional development.

• Desire to be a part of a dynamic educational community.

Physical Abilities

Required:

• Must be able to work at a computer for up to 8 hours each day in conjunction with OSHA requirements.

• Must be able to teach in a classroom setting and use relevant instructional technology.

• Must be able to move around the Milton Academy campus without restriction.

• Must be able to lift up to 10 pounds.

All interested internal candidates must complete an application for promotion or transfer and inform your supervisor as soon as possible.

The essential functions and basic skills have been included in this job description; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This position description is subject to change at any time.

An equal opportunity employer, Milton embraces diversity and the pursuit of excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race (including natural and protective hairstyle), color, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related condition), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, religious creed, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry, citizenship, national or ethnic origin or any other status protected by applicable law.