Services Contracts with Agents for International Student Recruitment Taskforce
Charge and Membership: Heading link
In May of 2024, Provost Colley identified a business need to establish standards, guidelines and best practices at UIC when entering into services contracts with agents for international student recruitment, noting that colleges and units may wish to engage with agents (registered/based in the U.S. or outside the U.S.) as part of their international student recruitment strategy. These relationships may expand the college’s abilities to recruit qualified international students to their programs and, in addition to the colleges, the offices of enrollment management, global engagement, and international services have vested interest as stakeholders in this process; specifically in ensuring that UIC is accurately and appropriately represented by agents in the field, that students are informed of all policies and requirements around admission, immigration, and enrollment, and that the institution is protected against risk is critical when considering international student recruitment agents.
As a result of this business need, a taskforce was established and charged to develop recommendations for international student recruitment services.
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Services Contracts with Agents for International Student Recruitment Taskforce Charge:
This taskforce is of limited duration and its focus is on establishing institutional standards, guidelines, and best practices for UIC when entering into services contracts with agents for international student recruitment. The expectation is that this taskforce will make recommendations to the provost that are informed by institutional need, legal and regulatory requirements, and that protect the institution from risk.
The provost seeks recommendations that could be made effective at the start of the next academic year. An anticipated recommendation includes a standing committee that could provide guidance to colleges on service contracts with agents and which would serve as a pre-reviewer of these types of contracts as part of the official contract review process. Shawn Conner-Rondot Director of International Affairs and Outreach in the Office of Global Engagement and Carmen Lilley, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Inclusive Excellence, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering have agreed to co-chair this taskforce.
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Services Contracts with Agents for International Student Recruitment Taskforce Membership:
- Shawn Conner-Rondot, Director of International Affairs and Outreach, Office of Global Engagement – Co-Chair
- Carmen Lilley, Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Inclusive Excellence, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering – Co-Chair
- Andriy Bodnaruk, Professor and Associate Dean of Planning and Professional Programs, Department of Finance, College of Business
- Jim Hammerschmidt, Associate Vice Provost for Global Engagement, Executive Director, Office of International Services, Office of Global Engagement
- Jamie Haney, Associate Dean for Academic Services, Graduate College
- Lauren Morris, Director of Graduate, Professional and International Admissions, Office of Admissions
- Aaron Rosenthal, Senior Associate Director, Contract Management, Office of Purchasing and Contract Management
- Kiana Yektansani, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of MA in Applied Economics Program, Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences