Global Safety and Health

Policy Changes Beginning February 1, 2026

Starting 02/01/2026 the following Global Safety & Health policy changes will go into effect:

The VTRAC submission and travel review process will be simplified and streamlined. For more information visit our VTRAC webpage.
All students traveling internationally to high-level review locations or as part of a student or faculty-led cohort will automatically be enrolled in the GSH Health & Safety course in Brightspace for the duration of their time abroad.
Student-led cohorts and faculty-led cohorts traveling internationally are required to be enrolled in a GeoBlue group plan for the duration of their time abroad. See more information on our GeoBlue webpage.

The health, safety, and security of students, faculty, and staff are of primary importance to Vanderbilt. The Global Safety and Health (GSH) team is here to support and guide you.

What We Do

Advise and Prepare the VU Community for Travel
- Provide individualized health and safety advising and travel consultations for faculty, staff, and all students on issues including mental health support, resilient travel, identities abroad, continued care plans, etc.
- Oversee the Vanderbilt travel registration process of all VU-sponsored international travel (undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as well as faculty and staff). Learn More
- Gather resources from across the university, peer institutions, and government agencies
- Review travel plans for high risk destinations and/or when there is a significant health or safety concern
- Provide and consult on pre-departure orientations and trainings for groups across the university
GeoBlue: Vanderbilt's International Insurance Provider

Coordinate the use of GeoBlue, Vanderbilt’s international health and evacuation insurance for travelers abroad. Learn More.
Travel Risk Assessment & Management
- Assess the safety, security, and preparedness of overseas study abroad and student travel sites
- Work with travelers to provide location specific risk assessment + create mitigation plans
- Monitor relevant security updates and alerts from Vanderbilt’s international security provider and relevant government agencies
- Provide dedicated safety-related guidance and assistance for members of the VU community who are away on VU-sponsored travel
Learn More About VTRAC
Events & Outreach

Visit our Events Page to view our upcoming outreach and events! we look forward to meeting you.

Global Safety and Health Resources

VIRT: Vanderbilt Incident Response for Travel

Emergency and non-emergency contact information provided.
Learn More
VTRAC

All students, student-led cohorts, and faculty-led cohorts traveling internationally are required to record their travel with VTRAC.
Visit Website
GeoBlue: International Insurance

Information and guidance on Vanderbilt's International insurance provider GeoBlue.
Visit Website

Travel Checklists

Global Safety and Health Team

Erin Lesley Beeman

Erin Lesley Beeman is Assistant Director for Global Safety and Health. After working through undergrad as a professional chef and substitute teacher, Erin graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a BA in social and political philosophy in May 2019.

After graduation they began a career in the social work field working at a Nashville domestic violence shelter in crisis support services with a focus on domestic abuse, mental health, sexual violence, and substance abuse disorder intervention. They became a member of the shelter management team and expanded their skill set to crisis intervention policy formation and training before joining the Vanderbilt's Office of Undergraduate Education in November of 2021.

Erin maintains a “let’s talk about it” policy and is trained in crisis de-escalation, grounding techniques, personal and family safety planning, and controlled substance overdose intervention. They conducted trainings for local employers who wish to broaden their employees’ knowledge of relationships and sexual health, teach them to navigate crisis situations, or give them tools to support someone they know who may be experiencing a crisis.

Contact Erin Beeman, Global Safety and Health Assistant Director
Email: erin.beeman@vanderbilt.edu

Schedule an advising appointment

Jared Christian

Jared Christian is the Global Safety and Health Coordinator. Originally from Woodford County, Kentucky, he earned his BS in Biomedical Sciences and BA in Globalization & International Affairs from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). While at EKU, he participated in a faculty-led program at the Arizona-Mexico border, a summer program at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, and worked in the Education Abroad Office supporting students pursuing international opportunities.

After graduation, he was an intern at Harlaxton College near Grantham, England, where he organized student activities, served on-call for emergencies, and was a courier for trips across the United Kingdom. After returning to the US, he earned his MPH in Disaster Management from Tulane University, and was a research assistant at the Highly Vulnerable Children Research Center before joining the Global Safety and Health Team in November 2025.

With his background in emergency preparedness, global health, and student affairs, he strives to support all travelers to have safe and meaningful international experiences. In his free time, Jared enjoys traveling, volunteering, participating in recreational sports, and exploring local restaurants.

Contact Jared Christian, Global Safety and Health Coordinator
Email: jared.christian@vanderbilt.edu

Schedule an advising appointment

Sabrina Kronk

Sabrina Kronk is Vanderbilt University Travel Manager, and works closely with the Global Safety and Health Team to support all travelers. She oversees the university’s managed travel program and serves on the Vanderbilt Incident Response for Travel (VIRT) team.

Contact Us

Email Global Safety and Health (GSH): globalsafety@vanderbilt.edu.
Contact VIRT: Vanderbilt Incident Response for Travel: virt@vanderbilt.edu.
Schedule an appointment here

24/7 Emergency Contact + Crisis Response

We respond to 24/7 to emergency and crisis situations abroad and connect travelers to relevant resources to ensure continuity of care and response.

Call us and tell the VU Public Safety dispatcher that you are reporting an issue to VIRT.

+1 615-322-2745

Call Now

External Resources

US Department of State
- Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Ensure that you receive localized embassy communications and can be located by the US government in an emergency (US citizens only)
- Overseas Security Advisory Council. Private sector-governmental committee that provides security analysis of areas and events around the world.
- Travel.state.gov. Information and services for travelers, including travel risk ratings.
Other Governmental Resources
- US Centers for Disease Control. Health and disease information and recommendations by country.
- World Health Organization. Country-specific and topic-specific health information, as well as notices about disease outbreaks and health emergencies.
- Travel Safety Administration. Information on travel and security screenings.
Preparing for Safe & Healthy Travel
- List of World Emergency Numbers. Emergency phone numbers around the world. Be prepared by looking up the countries you plan to visit before you depart.
- Association for Safe International Road Travel. Information on minimizing road risks, one of the top causes of death for international travelers.
- Equaldex: Resources for LGBTQI+ travelers.
- United Nations Country Information: Information on the general human rights situation in a given country, as well as the specific institutional, legal, judicial, administrative and de facto situation under their respective mandates.
Securing Travel Visas
Companies that, for a fee, can assist you with visa information and applications include:
- CIBTvisas
- Travisa