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 in fall 2014. He also is a senior lecturer in the International Studies major, teaching courses in the Global Security program of study.
Dr. Machoian 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 is a Fellow at the International Center for Security and Leadership 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.
Jeremy Rohrer is the Assistant International Safety and Security Director (ISSD) at UW-Madison’s International Division. He joined UW-Madison in fall 2022 after previously working in municipal emergency management planning and corporate security intelligence. Jeremy previously served overseas with the Peace Corps in West Africa and with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and Europe. He possesses an M.S. in defense and strategic studies from Missouri State University and a B.A. in history from the University of Missouri. He is an alumnus of the Rumsfeld Foundation Graduate Fellowship Program which promotes national security and public service education and networking both domestically and abroad.
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 (2023-24):
- Ronald Machoian, International Safety and Security Director
- Dan Gold, Director, International Academic Programs
- Jim Conway, Professor of Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases, Global Health Institute, SMPH
- Meg Langie, Associate Director for Program Management, International Academic Programs
- 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
- Patrick Rumble, Professor of Italian, Department of French and Italian
