Samantha Lu Joins Global Affairs as Director of Services for International Students and Scholars
UC Davis Global Affairs is pleased to welcome Samantha Lu as the new Director of Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS). She will join SISS on February 23, 2026. Lu brings more than 20 years of experience in international education and student and scholar services to the role. She joins UC Davis from Columbia University, where she most recently served as the Director of International Student Services, overseeing immigration advising and compliance for a large and diverse international student and scholar population.
Lu spent many years at Columbia University in progressively senior leadership roles, including nearly a decade as Director of the Office of International Services at Teachers College, where she led comprehensive services for international students and scholars. While at Teachers College, Columbia University’s education school, she expanded visiting scholar and exchange programs. Earlier in her career, she also held international student advising roles at San José State University and Purdue University.
Lu is a recognized leader in the field of international education and is deeply engaged in professional development and capacity-building efforts. She has served as Vice President for Professional Development and Engagement with NAFSA, the Association of International Educators. She also serves on NAFSA’s Board of Directors. Lu is a Fulbright–Nehru International Education Administrators Awardee and the recipient of the NAFSA Region X James O’Driscoll Distinguished Service Award.
“Samantha brings deep expertise, steady leadership, and a strong commitment to providing excellent international support services to students and scholars,” said Joanna Regulska, vice provost and dean for Global Affairs. “She joins an exceptionally dedicated SISS team, and her experience guiding institutions through complex immigration and policy environments will be invaluable as we continue to support UC Davis’s global community.”
Each year, SISS at UC Davis serves more than 9,000 international students, faculty, and researchers, along with their accompanying family members. The unit prepares documentation for visa applications, assists international students and scholars in maintaining their legal status in the United States, and provides guidance on visa and immigration-related matters. SISS also fosters a welcoming campus environment in collaboration with campus partners through orientation programs, events, networking and connection opportunities, and referrals to campus and community resources that support academic, personal, and cultural needs.
“Samantha’s career reflects a strong ability to connect international student and scholar services with institutional priorities,” said Michael Lazzara, associate vice provost of academic programs and partnerships for Global Affairs. “Her experience building cross-campus partnerships and aligning support structures with broader campus goals will help further amplify our impact.”
“Please join me in welcoming Samantha to the UC Davis community. I am confident that her leadership and expertise will continue to strengthen Services for International Students and Scholars and build on the outstanding work already underway across the unit,” said Regulska.