Dr. Geet Vanaik serves as Executive Director of the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) at Washington University in St. Louis, where she leads comprehensive immigration compliance and support services for a diverse population of international students, visiting scholars, and employees—ensuring the university remains both welcoming and fully compliant. In close collaboration with WashU Global, she has forged and expanded key international partnerships that enhance international student and scholar recruitment, research, and global engagement initiatives.
With nearly two decades of experience in international education, Dr. Vanaik previously directed the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at Northwestern University, where she was instrumental in elevating the institution’s international engagement strategies and compliance frameworks. Her career also encompasses leadership and academic roles at both private and public universities, where she built programs to support global learners and scholars. Her areas of expertise include international student and scholar services, study abroad, international partnerships, immigration law, fiscal stewardship, alumni engagement, export-control compliance, and risk management. Dr. Vanaik holds a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership and a master’s in Biotechnology Management, blending her passion for scientific innovation with her commitment to global education.