Maria Metcalf
Lamoni,IA
Summary
Results-driven leader with strong background in strategic management and organizational growth. Skilled in developing and implementing effective business strategies, optimizing processes, and driving team performance. Known for adaptability, effective collaboration, and delivering measurable outcomes in dynamic environments. Strong communication and problem-solving abilities, coupled with focus on fostering productive and positive team culture.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of International Recruiting
Graceland University
01.2025 - Current
- Develops and implements strategic recruitment initiatives to increase international and transfer student enrollment, and support student engagement and retention goals.
- Recruits prospective international and transfer students through school visits, partnerships, fairs, digital outreach, and targeted campaigns across global markets.
- Reviews, evaluates, and admits student applications while ensuring accuracy and compliance with institutional, SEVP, and federal immigration guidelines.
- Issues immigration documentation (I-20) and provides comprehensive support to students navigating visa processes, and pre-arrival requirements.
- Designs and delivers pre-departure orientations to support international students' transition and success.
- Builds and maintains strong partnerships with global education agencies, high schools, government sponsors, and pathway providers to support long-term enrollment growth.
- Negotiates partnership agreements to maximize recruitment outcomes, strengthen market presence, and enhance student retention pipelines.
- Conducts market research and enrollment forecasting to identify emerging international recruitment opportunities, and establish sustainable long-term strategies.
- Collaborates with cross-campus stakeholders—including academic programs, athletics, student life, and finance—to elevate recruitment efforts and improve the student experience.
- Leads process improvement by reviewing institutional policies and procedures to ensure compliance, streamline workflows, and strengthen operational efficiency.
- Facilitates data-informed decision-making by analyzing enrollment trends and institutional KPIs to drive continuous improvement across the division.
- Manages budget planning and resource allocation to support strategic recruitment, travel, partnerships, and marketing initiatives.
- Builds and sustains relationships across regions and professional networks to enhance institutional visibility and support referral pipelines.
- Implements innovative solutions to overcome recruitment barriers, resulting in increased productivity and improved application-to-enrollment conversion rates.
Community College Initiative Program Coordinator
Sinclair Community College
07.2021 - 01.2025
- Primary responsibility for the administration, budget, planning, and implementation of the Community College Initiative Program Grant is administered by Northern Virginia Community College and the U.S. Department of State.
- Designed and delivered comprehensive student programming focused on leadership development, academic success, career readiness, and intercultural engagement.
- Co-supervised student workers within the International Education Office, fostering professional growth and efficient daily operations.
- Advocated for program and student needs across the Sinclair and broader Dayton community to ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities.
- Collaborated closely with campus stakeholders—including Vice Presidents, Accessibility Resources, Academic Deans, and Academic Advising—to support student well-being, and promote retention and academic performance.
- Managed programmatic and administrative reporting, including quarterly submissions to NOVA, and ongoing tracking of budget, expenditures, and grant compliance.
- Served as the primary liaison to CCI program administrators at NOVA; participated in weekly coordination calls, and partnered with the housing provider to ensure student support and safety.
- Planned and facilitated an extended new student orientation focused on academic readiness, cultural adaptation, and student success.
- Organized and led student engagement in major events such as International Education Week, MLK Day, Global Youth Service Day, and additional cultural and service-learning activities.
- Facilitated a weekly “Culture, Society, and Institutions” seminar featuring invited speakers, guided discussions, and experiential learning activities.
- Coordinated community service initiatives, and monitored the completion of required service hours.
- Supported individualized student development through weekly goal-setting meetings and personalized plans for academic, professional, and personal growth.
- Assisted students with securing internships by providing support with résumé development, cover letters, applications, employer outreach, and job search strategies.
- Coordinated program logistics, ensuring timely communication between departments and stakeholders.
- Developed training materials to enhance staff understanding of program objectives and procedures.
International Recruitment Specialist
Sinclair Community College
10.2019 - 06.2021
- Recruited and advised prospective international students throughout the admissions funnel, providing personalized guidance on academic programs, application requirements, and enrollment processes.
- Reviewed, evaluated, and admitted international student applications while maintaining compliance with institutional policies and SEVIS regulations.
- Served as a Designated School Official (DSO), issuing and maintaining immigration documentation, and supporting students with essential visa processes—including I-20 creation, I-901 fee support, OPT, CPT, reinstatement, and travel signatures.
- Planned, facilitated, and led comprehensive new international student orientation programs to promote academic readiness, cultural adjustment, and successful onboarding.
- Provided holistic student services support, including academic advising, transfer pathway guidance, and referrals to campus and community resources.
- Coordinated transfer advising for students pursuing four-year and graduate programs, ensuring smooth academic transitions, and awareness of articulation agreements.
- Developed and delivered educational workshops on key topics such as Title IX, campus safety, driver’s license procedures, immigration compliance, OPT application strategies, and transfer planning.
- Co-supervised student workers in the International Education Office, promoting a welcoming environment, and a high standard of student support.
- Managed full-cycle recruitment processes for students.
Adjunct Instructor
Sinclair Community College
08.2020 - 12.2020
- Assisted first year students acclimate to College and the United States
English as a Second Language (ESL) Academic and Retention Advisor
Lane Community College
05.2017 - 09.2019
- Provided academic advising to domestic and international students enrolled in English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, part-time, and full-time international programs, ensuring clear degree pathways and successful academic transitions.
- Supported international and domestic students in transitioning from ESL coursework to credit-bearing classes through individualized advising and academic planning.
- Guided students in transfer pathways to four-year universities and graduate programs, including program selection, application planning, and documentation support.
- Developed, planned, and facilitated new student orientations for both international and domestic learners to support onboarding, academic preparedness, and campus engagement.
- Recruited incoming international students and delivered pre-departure orientations focused on cultural adjustment, academic expectations, and visa preparation.
- Facilitated Success Program Orientation for students on academic probation, offering targeted resources to encourage retention, and academic recovery.
- Served as a Designated School Official (DSO), providing immigration advising and maintaining SEVIS compliance—including I-20 issuance, travel signatures, vacation term approvals, and OPT/CPT support.
- Created I-20s for the Admissions team to support timely processing and continuity of the international enrollment pipeline.
- Assisted with training and support for the International Student Peer Mentor Program to build community and enhance student belonging.
- Managed the budget and coordinated planning for the End-of-Year Celebration for ESL students, ensuring fiscal responsibility, and an inclusive celebration experience.
- Advised students on academic pathways and degree requirements, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Collaborated with faculty to enhance student support services and program offerings.
International Programs Advisor
Iowa Wesleyan University
07.2016 - 05.2017
- Advised and supported students in academic planning, course selection, and long-term degree pathway development to promote persistence and graduation.
- Managed international admissions processes, guiding students from inquiry to enrollment and ensuring accuracy and compliance throughout application review.
- Served as a Designated School Official (DSO), issuing immigration documents and supporting students with SEVIS processes, including I-20 creation, OPT, CPT, and travel signatures.
- Planned and facilitated orientation and workshops for international students to support cultural adjustment, immigration compliance, academic success, and campus engagement.
- Coordinated recruitment efforts for prospective international students through outreach events, relationship-building with partners, and targeted communication.
- Assisted with planning and administration of Study Abroad initiatives, contributing to program enrollment, logistics, and pre-departure support.
- Organized student events, excursions, and cultural trips, including timeline development, resource coordination, and projected budget management to ensure a positive and inclusive student experience.
- Supervised student workers and interns in the International Office, providing training, task delegation, and ongoing mentorship to support professional skill development.
Adjunct Instructor
Iowa Wesleyan University
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Assisted first year students acclimate to college
- Provided a Service Learning aspect to the class
Adjunct English Language Skills (ESL) Instructor
Iowa Wesleyan University
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Taught non-native English speakers pronunciation and listening
- Helped Students improve their written and verbal communication
Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and International Programs Advisor
Iowa Wesleyan University
08.2016 - 07.2016
- Assisted the Vice President with scheduling, filing, scanning documents, preparing for meetings, etc.
- Created contracts for faculty
- Planned events, by projecting budgets and timelines
- Planned excursions and trips, assessed and reserved needed resources for the event
- Helped students with immigration documents
- Admissions process for international students
- Immigration documents (Creating I-20s, assisting students with Optional Practical Training, Curricular Practical Training, etc.)
- Planned orientation and workshops for International students
English as a Second Language (ESL) Partner
Campbellsville University
06.2015 - 07.2015
- Worked in the classroom assisting the students during the summer course. I also assisted and taught some classes when the teacher was unable to be present
- Helped plan activities for the students on the weekends around Kentucky and drove the van for those activities.
Office Intern
Campbellsville University
01.2015 - 06.2015
- Worked in the office driving the university vans when needed, planning activities, working with Mrs. Tammy on transfer documents and recording data for the office.
- Planned events, by projecting budgets and timelines
- Planned excursions and trips, assessing and reserving needed resources for the event
- Managed, prepared, and distributed bi-weekly newsletter highlighting events and important information to students
First Class Mentor
Campbellsville University
08.2013 - 12.2013
- Assisted the teacher with planning and implementing activities for the class.
- Planned a dance session, where one of the students taught dance, took a trip to the lake and in May invited the class to dinner at my apartment.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Partner
Campbellsville University
06.2013 - 07.2013
- Worked in the classroom assisting the students during the summer course. Also, assisted and taught some classes when the teacher was unable to be present.
Education
Masters of Global Affairs -
University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK12-2025
Masters of Education - Emphasis in Teacher Leadership
Upper Iowa University
Fayette, IA03.2020
Bachelor's degree - Spanish, International Studies and English as a Second Language
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY05.2015
Skills
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Strategic planning
- Immigration compliance
- International recruitment
- Market analysis
- Cross-cultural communication
- Process improvement
- Grant administration
- Enrollment management
- Project management
- Student advising
- Orientation program design
- Creativity and innovation
Affiliations
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators
- AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management
- NACAC: The National Association for College Admission Counseling
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Director of International Recruiting
Graceland University
01.2025 - Current
Community College Initiative Program Coordinator
Sinclair Community College
07.2021 - 01.2025
Adjunct Instructor
Sinclair Community College
08.2020 - 12.2020
International Recruitment Specialist
Sinclair Community College
10.2019 - 06.2021
English as a Second Language (ESL) Academic and Retention Advisor
Lane Community College
05.2017 - 09.2019
Adjunct Instructor
Iowa Wesleyan University
08.2016 - 12.2016
Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and International Programs Advisor
Iowa Wesleyan University
08.2016 - 07.2016
International Programs Advisor
Iowa Wesleyan University
07.2016 - 05.2017
Adjunct English Language Skills (ESL) Instructor
Iowa Wesleyan University
01.2016 - 12.2016
English as a Second Language (ESL) Partner
Campbellsville University
06.2015 - 07.2015
Office Intern
Campbellsville University
01.2015 - 06.2015
First Class Mentor
Campbellsville University
08.2013 - 12.2013
English as a Second Language (ESL) Partner
Campbellsville University
06.2013 - 07.2013
Masters of Education - Emphasis in Teacher Leadership
Upper Iowa University
Bachelor's degree - Spanish, International Studies and English as a Second Language
Campbellsville University
Masters of Global Affairs -
University of Oklahoma