ABSTRACT This study explores how mid-level administrators working in international student service centers make meaning of their roles and perceive the support their institutions provide. Utilizing critical discourse analysis and the theoretical framework of empowerment, this study reveals the social problems, power struggles, and avenues mid-level administrators utilize for change. Specifically, we find that participants cope with significant social problems that impact society and higher education. They are often caught between internal and external power struggles over policy and procedures on their campuses and face expectations that are unrealistic given their available resources. In order to be empowered, mid-level administrators need their centers and spaces in favorable locations on campus; strategic actions and planning must include the internationalization of their institutions as a whole; organizational leadership must be engaged in their center and in international student programming; and the compliance component of their roles and the student service function must be separate.

中文翻译：

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国际学生服务中心中层管理者角色的内涵

摘要 本研究探讨了在国际学生服务中心工作的中层管理人员如何理解他们的角色并理解他们的机构提供的支持。本研究利用批判性话语分析和赋权的理论框架，揭示了社会问题、权力斗争和中层管理者用于变革的途径。具体而言，我们发现参与者应对影响社会和高等教育的重大社会问题。他们经常被夹在校园政策和程序的内部和外部权力斗争之间，并面临鉴于他们可用资源不切实际的期望。为了获得授权，中层管理人员需要在校园内有利的位置设置他们的中心和空间；战略行动和规划必须包括整个机构的国际化；组织领导必须参与他们的中心和国际学生计划；并且他们角色的合规部分和学生服务功能必须分开。