UW-Madison is dedicated to the vibrant opportunities that grow from international education, research, and outreach. To carry out the university’s mission, the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff abroad is of utmost importance.
This site will be regularly updated to reflect the dynamic conditions abroad. It will include information about important events and actions that impact the international environment as well as other international safety and security-related resources to help mitigate risk abroad. Check back frequently before and during travel.
Mission
The International Safety and Security Director (ISSD) provides guidance to UW-Madison’s study abroad offices and other international education stakeholders on best practices in safety and security in a context of dynamic global conditions. We coordinate and promote resources and supporting actions on behalf of students, faculty and staff who travel abroad on university-affiliated business. Contact us.
Dr. Ronald Machoian is Associate Dean in UW-Madison’s International Division and the International Safety and Security Director (ISSD), a position he has held since retiring from the U.S. Air Force as a colonel in fall 2014. He holds a teaching faculty appointment in the International Studies major, teaching courses in the Global Security program of study.
Dr. Machoian has extensive experience abroad in both public service and as an educator. He previously served as the director of international programs at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he also was a professor of strategic studies and held senior leadership positions in student affairs and institutional culture, climate, and diversity. He has been a Fellow at the International Center for Security and Leadership (2018-2020) and an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow (2012-13). He is an active member of Pulse, the association of international safety and security professionals in higher education, and a constituent member of the U.S. Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). He holds master’s and Ph.D. degrees in history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Casey Clements is the Assistant International Safety and Security Director (ISSD) at UW-Madison’s International Division. Casey Clements is the Assistant International Safety and Security Director (ISSD) at UW-Madison’s International Division. She joined UW–Madison in fall 2026, bringing a decade of experience in international education with a recent focus on international risk management. She holds a B.S. in human resources from Winona State University and an M.A. in international education from the SIT Graduate Institute, where her studies included educational travel to Barbados and St. Vincent to research leadership in education. Her experience also includes serving as a teaching assistant in Costa Rica, teaching English to adults and teens. Her background features extensive global travel supporting students, conducting program reviews, and leading risk assessments in countries such as Spain, Fiji, Mexico, Tanzania, and most recently, Madagascar. Throughout her career, she has remained an active volunteer on various committees and boards, including Diversity Abroad’s Religious Identity Task Force and The Forum on Education Abroad’s guidelines for international medical experiences working group. She currently serves on the OSAC Academic Sector Membership Committee, where she has presented on best practices for conducting site visits.
University International Travel Committee (UITC)
The UITC is currently charged with the following tasks:
• Review requests for waiver to the “Travel Resources, Guidelines and Policies” regarding student travel abroad.
• Assist in the administration and periodic review of the "International Travel Resources, Guidelines and Policies" document and in the development of additional guidelines, policies, and resources regarding international travel for UW-Madison students, staff and faculty.
• Help disseminate information about resources for international travel, such as international travel insurance and emergency assistance.
• Provide support to the International Safety & Security Director in his role.
• Develop processes to identify students, faculty, and staff who are traveling abroad under university auspices.
• Provide recommendations regarding university travel in cases of international crises.
• The International Safety and Security Director (ISSD) serves as the executive officer to the UITC.
The UITC was established in 2010 by then-Provost Paul DeLuca.
Current UITC Members (2025-26):
- Ronald Machoian, International Safety and Security Director
- Dan Gold, Director, International Academic Programs
- Jim Conway, Professor of Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases, Global Health Institute, SMPH
- Li-Ching Ho, Associate Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction
- Eden Inoway-Ronnie, Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost
- Jeffrey Karcher, Director, Risk Management, Business Services
- Mara Kieser, Assistant Dean of Experiential Education, School of Pharmacy
- Kathryn Sanchez, Professor of Spanish and Portuguese, L&S
- Katie Tollefson, Assistant Director, International Faculty & Staff Services, Human Resources
- Sachin Tuli, Faculty Director, International Programs, Wisconsin School of Business
- Sarah Beckham, Associate Director, Center for South Asia
