Lehigh University, a premier R1 university located in Pennsylvania’s beautiful Lehigh Valley region, is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as our next Director of International Students and Scholars (OISS). This position offers the opportunity to lead the immigration, compliance, and international student support services at a university committed to global engagement, cross-cultural understanding, and inclusive excellence.
As part of Lehigh’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), OISS plays a central role in welcoming and supporting the international community on campus. For the 2023-24 academic year, Lehigh's international community included 1,791 students, scholars, and families, representing 91 countries. The university’s international students contributed $62.3 million to the local economy last year, supporting over 690 jobs, according to NAFSA. The impact is real—and growing.
Reporting to the Vice President & Vice Provost of International Affairs, the Director of International Students and Scholars provides strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for all areas of international student and scholar services, including employment-based visa services, immigration advising, exchange programs, sponsored students, and programming that supports international engagement, inclusion, and personal development. The Director is a key member of the OIA leadership team and a highly visible leader across campus, playing an essential role in realizing the goals of Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategy for global excellence.
As Director of International Students and Scholars, you will:
- Lead with Purpose: Supervise professional staff and oversee immigration compliance and advising services to ensure students and scholars maintain lawful status in the U.S., while supporting faculty, staff, and departments in hosting international guests and researchers.
- Promote Campus Integration: Design and implement innovative intercultural programming that promotes international student success, builds bridges between international and domestic communities, and celebrates global diversity on campus.
- Ensure Institutional Compliance: Serve as the university’s lead expert on immigration regulations for students and scholars, liaising with federal agencies and ensuring university compliance with all legal and reporting obligations.
- Empower and Advocate: Provide personalized support that helps international students and scholars thrive academically, socially, and professionally. Advocate for their needs within the university and broader community, elevating their voices and contributions.
- Foster Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with university stakeholders at every level—from academic departments to student services—to ensure a holistic, well-supported international student and scholar experience.
- Champion Intercultural Engagement: Create a welcoming environment and foster cross-cultural connection by collaborating with campus and community partners to create meaningful opportunities for international students and scholars to connect, share their experiences, and thrive as integral members of the Lehigh community.
- Provide Institutional Guidance: Serve as a trusted advisor to the Vice President & Vice Provost for International Affairs, senior university leadership, academic deans, and departments on issues impacting the international student and scholars.
The Ideal Candidate:
Has deep knowledge of immigration regulations, including F-1, J-1, H-1B, and other employment-based visa categories, as well as SEVIS compliance and best practices in international education.- Brings at least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in international student and scholar services within higher education.
- Can work collaboratively as part of a leadership team advancing international education initiatives in support of a strategic plan
- Is a skilled communicator and strategic thinker, capable of building strong relationships with students, faculty, administrators, and government agencies alike.
- Is passionate about intercultural engagement and experienced in creating inclusive programs that foster a sense of belonging and community.
- Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to student success, cultural humility, and continuous advocacy on behalf of international voices.
- Holds a Master’s degree (required) in international education, higher education administration, public policy, or a related field.
About Lehigh University
Founded in 1865 by industrial innovator Asa Packer, Lehigh University was born from a bold vision: to elevate the intellectual and moral potential of its students, preparing them to contribute to a strong national economy. Today, that founding spirit still drives Lehigh—a thriving, top-ranked private research university committed to rigorous academics, creative problem-solving, and service that makes a lasting impact.
Today, Lehigh is one of the most selective private research universities in the U.S., offering programs across five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Education, and College of Health. Graduate and doctoral programs are available in all five colleges.
Lehigh’s reputation continues to soar. It ranked 15th in the The Wall Street Journal’s 2025 list of the top 500 colleges and universities in the United States, and consistently ranks among the top 50 national universities by U.S. News & World Report.
With a vibrant population of 5,811 undergraduates and 1,779 graduate students, Lehigh fosters close student-faculty collaboration with a 10:1 ratio. More than 584 full-time faculty, including 460 tenure or tenure-track professors, are deeply committed to teaching, mentorship, and research. Lehigh’s nearly 1,200 dedicated staff and a global alumni network of over 85,000 help support a community where students thrive—in the classroom and far beyond.
Lehigh University is proud to be designated as a premier research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing it among the top-tier research universities in the nation. This prestigious status recognizes Lehigh's significant research activity, including awarding 94 research doctorates and investing $56.3 million in research expenditures in 2023 alone. The university's strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, outlines a bold vision to enhance its research environment, aiming to empower faculty, expand research output, and position Lehigh as a leader in addressing complex global challenges.
Inclusive excellence and belonging are foundational to the Lehigh experience. Guided by “The Principles of Our Equitable Community,” the university fosters an environment where every member is valued and empowered. Through the work of the Board of Trustees’ Committee on Diversity, the Council for Equity and Community, and the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, Lehigh is deeply committed to building a campus rooted in belonging, mutual respect, and shared success.
About The Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley is where historic charm meets modern energy—offering the perfect blend of small-town warmth and big-city experiences. Nestled in eastern Pennsylvania within close driving distance to both New York City and Philadelphia, the Lehigh valley region is home to the vibrant cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton, as well as dozens of welcoming towns and scenic boroughs. Whether you're wandering through a farmers market, sipping local wine at a vineyard, or biking along picturesque trails, the Lehigh Valley delivers four seasons of outdoor adventure, cultural celebration, and community connection.
This is a region that knows how to have fun. You can hike a mountain trail in the morning and catch live music under the stars that same evening. From nationally ranked festivals like Musikfest and Christkindlmarkt to award-winning theaters, art galleries, and nightlife, there’s always something happening. Easton's colorful downtown, Bethlehem's historic streets, and Allentown's up-and-coming neighborhoods each offer their own personality—packed with restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and events that bring people together.
The Lehigh Valley has earned national recognition for its quality of life—and it’s not hard to see why. Named three years in a row by Livability.com as one of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live,” the region continues to surprise and delight both residents and visitors. It’s a place where people put down roots, build community, and enjoy the best of both worlds: vibrant culture and natural beauty. Simply put, it’s a great place to be.
The region encompasses Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania, and has a population of about 695,000 residents. The Lehigh Valley has been experiencing population growth, with the addition of roughly 7,000 residents between 2023 and 2024, according to census data.
About Global Lehigh
Lehigh’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) prepares students and other stakeholders) to engage the world, address global challenges, and live lives of meaning by:
- fostering an understanding of one’s individual and interconnected positions in the world;
- cultivating an open-minded approach to the world that encourages respect, curiosity, and engagement with diverse perspectives; and
- promoting a sense of responsibility to the world and a commitment to the greater good.
OIA is recognized as a leader in international education, having won the NAFSA's Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization in 2021.
Our offices include OISS, Study Abroad, Global Partnerships & Strategic Initiatives, Fellowship Advising, the International Center for Academic and Professional English, and the Lehigh University/United Nations Partnership.
Our four strategic initiatives include:
- Position Lehigh as a premier destination for the world’s best students
- Prepare Lehigh community members to be global learners, citizens and leaders
- Ensure all students have access to international education experiences
- Expand resources that advance the discovery and dissemination of new knowledge