Director of International Student & Scholar Services

Company: University of the Pacific
Location: Stockton
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Primary Purpose The Director of International Student and Scholar Services ( ISSS ) provides strategic and operational leadership for immigration compliance, student-centered advising, and scholar support across the University of the Pacific’s campuses. This role oversees regulatory compliance while advancing technology-enabled service delivery, cross-campus collaboration, and alignment with the university’s international enrollment and student success priorities. Essential Functions Serve as Principal Designated School Official ( PDSO ) and Responsible Officer (RO), ensuring full compliance with F-1, J-1, and related non-immigrant regulations. Oversee institutional SEVIS reporting and maintain audit readiness in accordance with federal requirements. Provide direct, hands-on immigration advising to international students and scholars, including complex case consultation related to status maintenance, employment authorization, and regulatory matters. Supervise and mentor ISSS staff while modeling high-quality, student-centered advising practices. Direct the issuance of immigration documents (I-20, DS-2019) and oversee advising related to CPT , OPT , Academic Training, and related benefits. Lead modernization and optimization of immigration management systems (e.g., ISSM or equivalent) and digital case workflows. Partner with IT and Enrollment to enhance data integration, reporting, and operational efficiency. Oversee pre-arrival communications, virtual pre-departure sessions, and international orientation programming. Collaborate with Admissions, Academic Affairs, HR, Student Life, and other campus stakeholders to ensure coordinated support across the student lifecycle. Advise university leadership on regulatory updates, visa trends, and institutional risk exposure. Manage departmental budget and resource planning aligned with institutional growth and compliance needs. Serve as the primary liaison with federal agencies, including DHS , SEVP , and the U.S. Department of State. Performs other duties as assigned or requested. University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff. Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree from an accredited institution. Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in international student and scholar services. U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (required to serve as PDSO /RO). Preferred Qualifications Demonstrated experience serving as a PDSO and/or Responsible Officer (RO) with responsibility for SEVIS oversight and institutional compliance management. Experience leading and optimizing immigration management systems (e.g., ISSM , Slate integrations) to improve efficiency, accuracy, and student communication. Proven ability to use data analytics and reporting tools to monitor case volume, processing timelines, compliance indicators, and enrollment trends. Experience aligning immigration operations with international recruitment and enrollment growth strategies. Demonstrated commitment to student-centered advising, including hands-on consultation and proactive communication throughout the student lifecycle. Experience developing digital pre-arrival programs, virtual orientation sessions, and scalable communication strategies for international students. Supervisory experience leading professional staff and fostering a responsive, service-oriented team culture. Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting. Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Keywords: University of the Pacific, Vallejo , Director of International Student & Scholar Services, Legal , Stockton, California