Open To Work
Tahani Zughayer
Tinley Park,USA
Summary
Higher education professional with over 10 years of experience in student recruitment, admissions, and international student services. Proven ability to evaluate applications, lead recruitment and yield events, and guide diverse student populations through the enrollment process. Skilled in event planning, cross-cultural communication, and relationship management with prospective students, families, and community partners. Proficient in admissions and student information systems, including SEVIS, Colleague, and Navigate, with a strong commitment to data accuracy, compliance, and student success. Fluent in Arabic.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
International Students Services Pathway Coach/SEVIS Designated School Official
Joliet Junior College
11.2021 - Current
- Supervised and evaluated clerical staff and student workers, delegating tasks effectively to ensure smooth admissions operations.
- Prepared payroll, ad-hoc reports, and comprehensive departmental statistical reports, delivering accurate data to support leadership decisions.
- Responsible for overseeing pre-admission advising, outreach, and support for all prospective international students while communicating admissions requirements to students and sponsors.
- Act as a Designated School Official (DSO), liaising with SEVIS, SEVP, and government agencies.
- Maintain accurate records and updates on immigration matters.
- Ensure all various non-resident alien student applications are processed accordingly within the college’s ERP (student database).
- Assist and recruit prospective refugees, asylum seekers, and visa-status students while staying informed on research and regulations.
- Collaborate with the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and other DSO, faculty, and staff as needed.
- Advise international students concerning USCIS regulations.
- Certify international admission documents, including financial documents, test scores, and transcripts.
- Support the Admissions team by answering non-U.S. citizen residency questions and guiding applicants on the correct application type.
- Recruit and represent the college at prospective international fairs, both virtually and abroad.
- Provide educational planning and individualized student success plans for new and currently enrolled students by creating semester-by-semester academic course schedules that meet the requirements of their intended major and, if applicable, transfer school, and guiding them to redirected educational and career goals if needed.
- Provide academic coaching and advocacy, offering referrals to support services to enhance student success among underrepresented diverse student populations, to enhance retention rates.
- Develop meaningful rapport with students through case management, conducting proactive outreach, and monitoring their progress toward completing educational goals.
- Support academic intervention priorities identified by the college, maintaining databases, tracking recruiting activities, and generating ad-hoc and monthly reports.
- Guide students through transfer planning, clarifying the differences in course transfer policies between institutions.
- Provided language assistance (Arabic) for students, families, and multiple departments, ensuring accurate communication across diverse stakeholders.
- Support the Director in planning, communicating, and implementing procedures for the admission of students to the college, as well as calendar management.
- Coordinate large-scale events, including the National Arab American Month celebration, by meticulously planning logistics, coordinating with stakeholders, and ensuring seamless execution.
- Served on various hiring committees, bringing in talented individuals who aligned well with the institution’s goals and values.
Leadership & Development Manager
Read & Ascend Learning Center
01.2019 - Current
- Managed operations of a weekend school serving a diverse, multicultural student population, ensuring smooth delivery of all academic, leadership, and community programs.
- Led development and implementation of innovative educational programs enhancing student engagement.
- Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of leadership and professional development programs to enhance student engagement, cross-cultural communication skills, and career readiness.
- Managed student leadership initiatives, including the Read and Ascend Girls Youth Club, achieving measurable increases in participation and impact among diverse student populations.
- Collaborated with families, community organizations, and international education partners to support the needs of multicultural and multilingual learners.
- Managed program budgets, secure external funding, and establish partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and organizations locally and abroad.
- Represent the center at educational fairs, cultural events, and community engagements to strengthen partnerships and promote the center’s mission..
- Managed cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives aligning with organizational goals.
- Improved student engagement and retention by implementing tailored support services, boosting leadership program participation by 65%.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align curriculum design with organizational goals, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
- Led development team to implement innovative educational programs enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes.
Billing Associate
Advanced Urgent Care
09.2017 - 05.2018
- Processed and submitted medical billing claims; updated patient records and resolved billing inquiries with professionalism and accuracy.
- Migrated patient data from Med2000 to the eClinicalWorks electronic health record (EHR) system.
- Prepared detailed reports for motor vehicle accidents and workers’ compensation cases.
- Delivered exceptional service by communicating complex billing information clearly and supporting patients in understanding their financial responsibilities.
- Utilized strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills to ensure a patient-focused experience.
- Collaborated with physicians and administrative staff to verify insurance coverage and ensure billing accuracy.
- Identified and corrected billing discrepancies to reduce claim denials and improve reimbursement timelines.
- Maintained strict patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Supported the training of new billing team members by sharing knowledge of billing procedures and EHR usage.
Student Advisor/SEVIS Designated School Official
The Language Company
11.2011 - 08.2015
- Attended trainings and conferences that present information regarding undocumented students.
- Researched, compiled, and dispersed various undocumented student support resources and opportunities on campus.
- Provided support and fostered a safe environment for students during interactions and through building rapport.
- Assisted in advising and overseeing programs, events, and marketing initiatives sponsored by the office, including, but not limited to, programming raising awareness on international students, immigration policies, and F1 Student Visas.
- Managed all logistics for programs and events, such as budget, meeting space, promotion, contracts, and collaborations.
- Oversaw the development and maintenance of the center's social media and activity calendar.
- Processed and managed student applications, creating I-20 forms in compliance with immigration regulations.
- Developed and prepared academic transcripts, confirmation letters, and other official documents, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
- Maintained comprehensive student records and information systems, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.
- Provided immigration advising and academic counseling to prospective, enrolled students and academic advisors, addressing inquiries and offering support.
- Facilitated document translation to ensure effective communication across diverse student populations.
- Acted as a liaison between students, academic advisors, and external agents, enhancing communication and streamlining processes.
- Provided Arabic translation for official documents, ensuring clear communication on academic and immigration processes.
Intern
The American Red Cross
05.2009 - 08.2009
- -Supported the Executive Director in executing special developmental projects, enhancing organizational growth and operational efficiency.
- Provided Arabic translation services to incoming refugees, ensuring clear communication and understanding of vital services.
- Conducted disaster casework, assisting individuals and families in navigating recovery processes and accessing necessary resources.
- Updated and maintained Chapter Outreach, Disaster Family Relief Assistance Program (DFRAP), and media plans, strengthening outreach efforts and organizational visibility.
- Delivered fire safety education to children in schools, day cares, and community organizations, promoting safety awareness and preparedness.
- Represented the organization at large-scale meetings and conferences, including the United Nonprofits conference in South Bend, Indiana, collaborating with key stakeholders and expanding the organization's network.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI05.2009
International Education Professional Certificate (IEPC)
Common Purpose, NAFSA, And Times Higher Education 06.2025
120-Hour TEFL Certification
TEFL Fullcircle07.2025
Yale Course Certificate - The Science of Well-Being
Yale University | Coursera06.2020
NLP -Neuro Linguistic Programming Diploma
ILLAFTrain Ltd12.2007
Time Management Diploma
ILLAFTrain Ltd04.2008
Skills
- Ellucian Colleague ERP system
- Navigate360 system
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Student enrollment strategies
- Event Planning & Execution
- Reviewing application submissions
- Student engagement
- Compliance & Records Management
- Collaborative leadership
- Effective communication
- Professional Competencies
- Fostering collaborative connections
Professional Development
- NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, 2015-01-01
- International Education of Illinois (IEI), 2022-01-01
Awards
- Core Value Award, Joliet Junior College, 2023-01-01
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dedication Award, 2023-01-01
- Developed and drafted a proclamation celebrating Arab American Heritage Month, which was approved by the Board of Trustees, Joliet Junior College, 2023-01-01
Languages
English
Arabic
Timeline
International Students Services Pathway Coach/SEVIS Designated School Official
Joliet Junior College
11.2021 - Current
Leadership & Development Manager
Read & Ascend Learning Center
01.2019 - Current
Billing Associate
Advanced Urgent Care
09.2017 - 05.2018
Student Advisor/SEVIS Designated School Official
The Language Company
11.2011 - 08.2015
Intern
The American Red Cross
05.2009 - 08.2009
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Davenport University
International Education Professional Certificate (IEPC)
120-Hour TEFL Certification
Yale Course Certificate - The Science of Well-Being
NLP -Neuro Linguistic Programming Diploma
Time Management Diploma
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