Ronald Schaefer
Director

Ron Schaefer is Director of the Center for International Programs. He is also professor of English Language and Literature, coming to SIUE in 1986. From 1981-1985, Ron taught at the University of Benin, Nigeria, where he began linguistic investigation of the Edoid group of languages. He received his doctoral degree in linguistics from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, where he was a direct exchange scholar to Johannes Gütenberg Universität, Mainz, Germany from 1978-79. Before graduate school, Ron served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Afghanistan from 1971-1973. His undergraduate degree in English is from the University of Minnesota.

Julie Beall-Marshall
Study Abroad Advisor

Julie began working at SIUE in 1999, first serving as the Director of the Intensive English Program from 1999 - 2003 and subsequently moving into her current position as Study Abroad Coordinator. Julie's passion for travel and international education began in her high school years as an AFS Exchange Student to Spain. After completing a BA in Spanish from SIU Carbondale and earning an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from SIUE, Julie taught English in Spain and has traveled extensively in Spain and much of Western Europe.

Diane Schilling
Secretary

Diane Schilling finds that International Programs is always interesting.  She thrives when the office is busy when international students are arriving for orientation, during preparations for International Night or when a new group of students is heading out to study abroad.  At home, Diane has two horses, two dogs and several barn cats that keep her entertained (or elevate her blood pressure, depending on the day.  She reports that she imagines the feeling is mutual on their part.) In the summer, she spend a lot of time working with Cisco (horse), mowing grass, weed whipping (trimming) and attempting to stay ahead of the weeds in the garden.

Sandra Tamari
International Admissions Advisor

Sandra Tamari first became interested in international affairs by studying Arabic as an undergraduate student at the University of Florida . She studied abroad during her junior year at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan and after finishing her B.A. in Anthropology set off for a year of study and work in Amman, Jordan and Ramallah, Palestine under a Fulbright grant. She continued her studies at Georgetown University completing an M.A. in Arab Studies. She has traveled extensively in the Middle East with visits to Syria, Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. In 2003, she spent a year studying German in Berlin. Prior to joining SIUE, Sandra served as the Assistant Director of Georgetown University’s Center for Contemporary Arab Studies and as a Program Coordinator for AMIDEAST. 

Jeanie Umbaugh
Secretary

Jeanie Umbaugh, with 19 years of work experience at SIUE, joined the Office of International Programs in July 2007. She is employed part-time as a department secretary and is currently a student at SIUE. Jeanie enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.

Geeteeca Vanaik
International Student and Scholar Advisor

Geet is an SIUE alumnus who started as an international student in 2001.She earned her B.A. in Biology and M.S. in Biotechnology Management. She joined the Office International Programs in 2008 and is committed to ensuring that International students have the services and support they need to be successful. Her previous work experience includes working for Monsanto and Pioneer. Geet’s areas of interest include leadership development and international affairs.