Faculty - Assistant Specialist for Study Abroad Center

Title:                        Assistant Specialist (Study Abroad Advisor)

Position Number:       0070147

Hiring Unit:               Office of the Provost/ Ofc of Global Engagement/ Study Abroad Center            

Location:                  University of Hawaii at Mānoa

Date Posted:            May 11, 2022

Closing Date:           Continuous recruitment - review of applications will begin on June 2, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled

Salary Information:  Salary Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Subject to University guidelines and collective bargaining agreement.

Full time/ Part Time:  Full Time

Monthly Type:           11-Month

Tenure Track:           Tenure

Temporary/Permanent:     Permanent

Other Conditions:

Position requires understanding, practice, and theories of engagement and retention of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Island, and First-Generation College bound students. The position will be based in the College of Social Sciences with ACCESS. Position reports to the Director of the Study Abroad Center. This position is not a forty hour per week schedule and requires to be available across national and international time zones

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advise undergraduate students and prospective students on Study Abroad programs as they relate to UH Mānoa degree requirements; enable course mapping with study abroad courses to fulfill undergraduate degree requirements.
• Collaborate with the appropriate department faculty to articulate UHM equivalent classes for Study Abroad courses taught abroad with the knowledge of both US and International Institutions of Higher Education.
• Mentor students and develop appropriate programs to support, engage and retain Native Hawaiian, Pacific Island, underrepresented and first-generation students who wish to study abroad.
• Encourage and support Native Hawaiian faculty to offer short-term Study Abroad Programs through the SAC Faculty Sponsored Study Abroad Tours (FaSST).
• Communicate with students and faculty resident directors’ pre-acceptance, during their programs abroad, and upon their return.
• Provide Study Abroad Advising for all of the programs offered by the Study Abroad Center (East, South East and South Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Independent Self- designed programs). The emphasis on a specific region or regions will be performed on a rotating basis and in collaboration with Study Abroad Advisors based in the Colleges of Arts, Languages, and Letters; and Natural Sciences.
• Develop and teach cross-cultural classes that are program and country specific in order to prepare students to successfully study abroad. Examples of the topics include academic success strategies within a non-US Institution of Higher Education; Developing intercultural competence; Managing Risks and ensuring the health and well-being of the students.
• Innovate and develop an on-line comprehensive pre-departure class that includes language instruction (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish) in collaboration with faculty from CALL departments.
• Develop a cohort of students who have returned from study abroad so that they remain engaged in study abroad as peer advisers for prospective students.
• Develop an Undergraduate Study Abroad Research course specifically designed for undergraduate students to learn to conduct research.
• Create a comprehensive database of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Island, and First generation students in Study Abroad programs for analysis of their academic success.
• Conduct program assessments including but not limited to student learning outcomes in the UHM Study Abroad programs and ongoing improvement of programs; Coordinate and contribute to the Five Year Program review of the Study Abroad Center,
• Engage in scholarly research and academic publications with the field of international studies relating to areas of responsibilities and student engagement.
• Present publications and projects in local, national, and international conferences to maintain an active professional academic life.
• Engage in service activities to the Study Abroad Center, University, the broader Hawai`i community, and within the national and international arenas.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree and an additional 30 credits of graduate study from a College or University of recognized standing and in fields relevant to the position, such as International Studies.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a professional capacity in Study Abroad or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff at a University setting.
• Excellent organizational skills and facility in communicating through conventional, electronic, and social media platforms.
• Experience with data management systems.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and at on and off campus events, including across national and international time-zones.
• Ability to work collaboratively and in teams.
• Demonstrated ability to relate well and the ability to work with Native Hawaiian, underrepresented, and first-generation college students.
• Demonstrated ability to understand problems and underlying issues from a broad perspective and use appropriate reasoning to create time, sound, feasible, appropriate solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and International Institutions of Higher Education, international/cross-cultural groups, team leaders, members, individuals.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of International Institutions of Higher Education specific to pedagogy and curriculum.

Desirable Qualifications:

• 7 years of progressive work experience in the field
• Near Fluency in at least two languages offered in Study Abroad Programs
• Near Fluency in Hawaiian language and/or Native American languages
• Knowledge of University of Hawai`i Mānoa undergraduate degree requirements in various disciplines
• Knowledge of current students advising theories and methodologies especially as they relate to Native Hawaiian, underrepresented, and first generation college students
• Experience living and studying abroad as part of a University
• Knowledge of general university Financial Aid policies for funding Study Abroad
• Knowledge of external sources of federal or private funding available for Study Abroad students

To Apply:

Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents.  Applicant must submit the following:

1. Cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications;
2. Curriculum vita;
3. Names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of 3 professional references; and
4. Copies of official transcripts (official transcripts will be required at the time of hire).  

If multiple applications are received from the same candidate, only the last one will be reviewed.  Please do not include any self-identifying photos they will be redacted. PLEASE REDACT REFERENCES TO SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND BIRTH DATE ON TRANSCRIPT COPIES.  All items become the property of the University of Hawaii and will not be returned. 

Note:  If you have not applied for a position before using NeoGov, you will need to create an account.

Inquires: Sarita Rai, 808-956-4738, sarita@hawaii.edu