About Us

The KU Academic Accelerator Program (KU AAP or AAP) is a partnership between the University of Kansas (KU) and Shorelight. The mission of the program is to immerse first-year international students in the academic and cultural life of the university, help them integrate into campus life, and provide the support that increases their academic successes and likelihood of obtaining their degrees.

Job Overview

The Senior Student Services Advisor (Senior SSA) supports all aspects of student services for international students enrolled in the KU Academic Accelerator Program and reports to the Student Services Director. The Senior SSA collaborates with student services leadership to assist in the development of strategies and processes that support students’ academic engagement, social integration, and cross-cultural development in their new academic and social environments.

The Senior SSA is a team player who successfully implements and executes support services catered to international students. Strong interpersonal and customer service skills are critical in successfully collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, university administrators, students, and parents.

Essential Functions

Student Service

• Guide, prepare, and motivate students to a successful undergraduate or graduate experience and degree completion
• Deliver exceptional student services, beginning with pre-arrival processes, airport transfers, orientation programming, ongoing student services support, and student acculturation into the university providing a strong foundation for the student’s academic success
• Mentor, train, and coach students to support their skill development in goal setting, strategic planning, cultural competency, problem solving, and interpersonal relationships, among other areas
• Assist in the development, promotion, and implementation of programs to support student retention and socialization/acculturation; assist in the design and implementation of orientation programming
• Teach or coach first-year transitional programming if applicable

Programs/Events Management

• Lead and promote programs, events, and activities, including orientation, throughout the fall, spring, and summer terms aimed to increase student success, acculturation, and retention
• Lead program/event logistics such as transportation and room reservations
• Cultivate international and external relationships
• Manage budget under the supervision of the SSD where applicable
• Document events summaries, including vendors, costs, partners, successes, and areas of improvement
• Debrief key stakeholders of program/event and Satmetrix, implementing improvements as best practices
• Recruit, train, and manage temporary undergraduate and graduate staff

Data and Technology

• Maintain accurate records and reporting for assigned cohort of students
• Contribute to student services operations to ensure that systems and procedures are followed and technology is used to streamline systems and procedures; as relevant, assist in the creation of new processes

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 18+ months in SSA role or student-facing equivalent
• Demonstrated interest in higher education advising, student services, or hospitality
• Experience planning and executing events
• Proven customer service skills
• Demonstrated empathy in managing culturally sensitive situations
• IT literacy (e.g., student information system or database, or customer relationship management systems)
• Ability to work evening and weekend hours as needed
• Eligibility to work in and travel freely to and from the United States without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience in higher education advising, student services, or hospitality
• Experience working with students of concern with a variety of challenging needs
• Experience working with international students or customers in an administrative or academic capacity
• Experience working successfully with non-native English speakers
• Knowledge of Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, or Hindi

Application Process

To apply for this position, please visit the Shorelight Careers page to submit an application with a resume and cover letter.

Background Check Required — Education, Criminal, Identity

The KU Academic Accelerator Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.