Meet Our Staff

International Safety and Security staff are dedicated and knowledgeable safety and security professionals.

Andrew Collum

andrew collum with an elephant

Director, International Safety and Security

aacollum@illinois.edu | 217-300-2401

Andrew joined Illinois International in 2017 as the Associate Director for International Safety and Security and assumed the role of Director in 2020. He develops and coordinates policies and procedures that support the safety and well-being of Illinois students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad for study or university business. Andrew also provides global emergency response services to travelers. Before working for Illinois International, Andrew served in the U.S. Army as a political-military specialist on Africa. He holds an M.A. in African Studies from Ohio University and a B.S. in International Relations from the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.

  • Contact Andrew with questions related to policy, high-risk travel, travel planning and review, the Illini Abroad Network, or other general issues.

Michelle Dube

michelle standing in front of penguins

Assistant Director for International Safety and Security

mdube@illinois.edu | 217-244-8848

Michelle joined Illinois International in 2023 as the Assistant Director for International Safety and Security. Her focus is the safety and security of students participating in study abroad, with a particular emphasis on student preparation. Michelle also provides global emergency response services to travelers. Before joining Illinois International, Michelle worked for the U.S. Department of State as a security specialist and member of the Foreign Service.

  • Contact Michelle with questions related to study abroad programs and policy, training for students and program leaders, or other general issues.

Rachael Dean

rachael dean at the great wall of china

Coordinator for International Safety and Security

rldean@illinois.edu | 217-300-8323

Rachael joined Illinois International as the Coordinator for International Safety and Security in March 2019. Before working for Illinois International, Rachael worked at CIEE supporting incoming and outgoing high school students as they learned about living with a host family and attending school in a foreign country. Rachael also spent time living and studying abroad in Europe and Asia, and holds a special place in her heart for Japan where she lived for seven years. She holds an M.A. in International Education from the SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont and a B.A. in Integrated International Studies from Knox College in Galesburg, IL.

  • Contact Rachael with questions related to insurance enrollment and policy assistance, training for students and program leaders, Clery Act, or other general issues.

Shared Services

International Safety and Security's operations are supported by the shared services teams in Illinois International: Business Operations, Global Communication, Human Resources, and Shared Administrative Services. Click on each team name to learn more about their staff.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about non-emergency health, safety, or security issues, please contact us by phone during office hours or by email (safetyabroad@illinois.edu). We maintain office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Central Daylight Time.