Adam J. Grotsky

Executive Director, USIEF

Adam Grotsky has dedicated over three decades to advancing international education. Since May 2008, he has served as the Executive Director of the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), where he oversees the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam Fellowship Programs, as well as five EducationUSA advising centers across India.

Under his leadership, USIEF has administered more than 4,000 Fulbright Fellowships for U.S. and Indian citizens, tripling the program’s size and broadening its scope. Key initiatives introduced during his tenure include postdoctoral fellowships and visiting chair awards for Indian citizens, distinguished scholar awards for U.S. professors, and short-term grants for international education administrators.

Through its EducationUSA advising services, USIEF has empowered thousands of Indian students to pursue higher education in the United States. India is currently the largest source of international students in the U.S., with over 330,000 Indian students enrolled in American institutions.

Before joining USIEF, Mr. Grotsky served as Director of Study Abroad at Towson University, Maryland, where he developed, administered, and promoted the university's study abroad programs. Prior to that, he was the Associate Director for International Programs at the University of South Carolina from 1997 to 2004.

Mr. Grotsky began his career in international education as the Resident Director of the University of Wisconsin’s College Year in India Program in Varanasi (1992–1994).

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s degree in South Asian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Shirley Lovejeen

Executive Assistant to the Executive Director & Administrative Coordinator

Shirley Lovejeen joined USIEF in 2011 and is the Executive Assistant to Executive Director (ED) and Administrative Coordinator in the Delhi office. Her key responsibilities include overseeing ED's appointments and calendar, organizing program and logistical arrangements for events and outreach visits. She also coordinates with embassy officials, government representatives, and staff across Delhi and regional offices. Shirley also supports administrative tasks in her role as Administrative Coordinator, coordinating with vendors on payments and maintaining annual maintenance contracts (AMC).

Shirley holds a bachelor’s degree from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow. Outside of work, Shirley enjoys listening to music, traveling, gardening, cooking, and watching movies with her daughter.

Megha Sunger

Deputy Director

Megha Sunger joined USIEF in 2023 as Deputy Director for USIEF. Alongside the Executive Director, Megha oversees the Fulbright and EducationUSA programs, manages operations of USIEF’s regional offices across India, and collaborates with the leadership to advance the organization's mission. Her efforts are focused on expanding USIEF’s impact, fostering alumni engagement, and enhancing educational ties between the United States and India. She brings extensive expertise in education and skills development and has led numerous bilateral and multilateral education, research, and skills development programs in her previous roles at the British Council, UNESCAP, and the British High Commission. Her portfolio includes government initiatives such as the UK–India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) and the India–UK Accelerating Smart Power and Renewable Programme (ASPiRE).

Megha holds an Executive MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management. She is also certified by the Association for Project Management. In her free time, Megha enjoys traveling, reading, and playing Sudoku.

Priyanjana Ghosh

Senior Program Officer

Priyanjana Ghosh joined USIEF in 2014 and is the Senior Program Officer for the American Fulbright Program. She currently administers Fulbright-Nehru, and other Fulbright fellowships for American citizens. Priyanjana has extensive experience in the development sector, especially in the field of diplomacy programs and international volunteerism. Prior to working with USIEF, Priyanjana worked at the American India Foundation (AIF), New Delhi heading the William J Clinton Fellowship Program. She has also worked with the non-profit Youthreach in their mass volunteerism campaign within Delhi and with Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) housed under the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), awarding financial support to budding entrepreneurs.

Priyanjana holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi and a master’s degree in social work from Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi. Priyanjana is a mother of a neurodiverse child and a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity rights for individuals with special needs in the society. During her downtime, Priyanjana loves to spend time with her two children and read romantic fiction.

Neeraj Goswami

Senior Program Manager

Neeraj Goswami joined USIEF in 2005 and is the Senior Manager for the American Fulbright Program. He is responsible for managing Fulbright-Nehru US Student Program, Critical Language Enhancement Award (CLEA) and South & Central Asia (SCA) Regional Travel Grant. He possesses an experience of more than seventeen years in the area of higher education. Prior to joining USIEF, Mr. Goswami has previously worked for UNDP/World Bank funded Capacity Building projects with a Diplomatic Mission in New Delhi.

Neeraj holds a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in Marketing and Human Resource Management.

Pavitra Soram

Program Manager

Pavitra Soram joined USIEF in 2013 and is the Program Manager for the American Fulbright Program. With a diverse professional background spanning foreign exchange, banking, and education, Pavitra has honed her skills in various industries, bringing a unique perspective to her current role. Prior to her tenure at USIEF, she worked at the British Council in New Delhi.

Pavitra holds a master's degree in Geography from Calcutta University with specialization in Regional Planning. A passionate advocate for animal welfare, Pavitra is known for her love of dogs and actively volunteers for causes aimed at the betterment of their lives. Pavitra is also a dedicated classical Manipuri dancer, having trained in this art form for the past 20 years.

Kalden Shringla

Program Coordinator

Kalden Shringla joined USIEF in 2015 and is the Program Coordinator for the American Fulbright Program. Since starting his career in 2010, he has a diverse professional experience in the automobile sector, banking & finance and higher education, including working with the British Council in New Delhi.

Kalden holds a graduate degree in Commerce from Delhi University. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in Marketing and Human Resource Management. Kalden is a music lover and plays the guitar. He is an avid traveller and has travelled extensively in India and abroad. His passions include cricket, football and adventure sports, besides being a photography and automobile enthusiast. During his free time, he likes to cook and innovate dishes and post them on his food blog.

Anupam Anand

Program Coordinator

Anupam Anand joined USIEF in 2015 and is the Program Coordinator for the American Fulbright Program. He is a social entrepreneur cum development professional with more than six years of working experience with CSR and National NGOs in New Delhi. Prior to joining USIEF, Anupam was working with DLF Foundation where he was managing the flagship Nurturing Talent Programme for underprivileged school going students. He also has a specialization in stakeholder communication along with development based educational programme management and evaluation across multiple levels.

Anupam holds a graduate degree in English from Delhi University. He also completed online certification programme by Harvard University, USA in Human Health & Global Environmental Change and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA on The Challenges of Global Poverty in 2013.When not at work, Anupam loves to explore culture by travelling. He is a music enthusiast and a profound lover of nature.

Srishti Sharma

Adviser

Shrishti Sharma joined USIEF in 2022 and is an Adviser in the EducationUSA program. She originally joined the organization as Fulbright Coordinator and was in the role till May 2025. She brings over eight years of experience in the field of education, spanning a variety of roles across India and Germany. An Erasmus Scholar, Srishti has worked with a broad spectrum of educational institutions, including private schools, NGOs, government, and international organizations.

Her professional journey includes contributing to mediation initiatives with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) and the World Bank, as well as leading training and curriculum design for teachers and teacher educators. She has collaborated closely with NGOs, social enterprises, and parent groups to co-develop innovative learning strategies for children. Srishti previously served at the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), where she contributed to policy and academic initiatives.

Srishti holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, and a master’s degree in education from Ambedkar University Delhi and Pädagogische Hochschule Ludwigsburg, Germany. Deeply passionate about the arts, Srishti has completed a certified course in Film Direction from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and a course in book publishing from National Book Trust. Her creative interests extend to film studies, photography, theatre, et al.

Sudarsan Dash

Senior Program Officer

Sudarsan Dash joined USIEF in 2005 and is the Senior Program Officer for Indian Fulbright Program. He oversees the administration of Fulbright-Nehru, Fulbright-Kalam, and other Fulbright fellowships for the citizens of India. He leads on the program strategy including devising marketing and outreach for the program and alumni engagement.

Sudarsan holds a Ph.D. in philosophy, an MBA in international business, and completed postdoctoral research in Mahāyāna Buddhism and Postmodernism. He is the author of Modernism versus Postmodernism and has published in academic journals. His current research focuses on international education, scholar exchange, and education policy.

Pratibha Nair

Program Coordinator

Pratibha Nair joined USIEF in 2007 and is the Program Coordinator for the Indian Fulbright Program. She has over 20 years of work experience in the field of environmental management and grant administration. She administers fellowships for visiting student researchers and professionals like Hubert H. Humphrey fellowship program. Prior to USIEF, she worked with CPCB, TERI and CRRI on environmental assessment. She has few publications to her credit including a compendium on watershed development programs in India for the Department of Land Resources, Ministry of Rural Development with TERI.

Pratibha holds a bachelor’s degree in botany from Delhi University and master’s in environmental management from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. She recently completed executive education in public policy from ISB, and post-graduate diploma in environmental law from NLSIU, Bengaluru.

Inumulu Jaya Bharati

Program Coordinator

Inumulu Jaya Bharati joined USIEF in 2011 and is the Program Coordinator for the Indian Fulbright Program. She oversees the Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright-Kalam Postdoctoral grant portfolios. With a strong aptitude for data analysis, she excels at generating meaningful insights to inform strategic decisions. She brings extensive experience from her work on bilateral and multilateral programs funded by the European Union, UNICEF, and UNDP, addressing critical areas such as education, livelihoods, health, governance, and social justice. She is deeply committed to developing and implementing innovative, sustainable programs that create substantial social impact.

Jaya holds a doctorate in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Outside her professional endeavours, she enjoys traveling, reading fiction, and exploring the culinary arts.

Geetanjali Negi

Program Associate

Geetanjali Negi joined USIEF in 2024 and is the Program Associate for the Indian Fulbright Program. Her responsibilities include alumni database development, data entry and managing grantee lists. She brings over eight years of professional experience to her role

Geetanjali holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from University of Delhi and a diploma in Modern Office Practice from IGNOU.

Syed Aliza Hussain

Adviser

S. Aliza Hussain joined USIEF in 2022 and is an Adviser in the EducationUSA program. As an EducationUSA Adviser, she helps students pursue their higher education in the U.S. She has been a Fulbright scholar at the University of California Davis and has previously worked at Harappa Education Private Limited in the assessments team.

Aliza holds a masters and an M.Phil in Literature from University of Delhi. Her key interests are learning, resource development and advising. She is passionate about animal welfare and loves to travel, sketch and bake.

Rupali Verma

Adviser

Rupali Verma joined USIEF in 1997 and is an Adviser in the EducationUSA program. In her role as an adviser, she guides aspiring students on higher study opportunities in the United States. During her 25 plus advising years, she has advised hundreds of students and parents and often shares their success stories with aspiring students.

She has attended many trainings and conferences including United States Based Training and Professional Leadership programs organized by the Department of State. She has also participated in the Regional trainings and represented India at the EducationUSA Forums. She has also addressed seminars and has been on various panels of discussion on U.S. education , along with other educationalists.

Rupali holds a graduate degree from University of Delhi. In her free time, she enjoys exploring her creative side through activities like writing her diary, crafting, and experimenting with innovative ideas.

Amita Sharma

Associate

Amita Sharma joined USIEF in 1997 and is the Advising Associate in the EducationUSA program. She plays a vital role in coordinating key activities supporting outreach, marketing, and managing statistics for data reporting. She also extends support to advisors for virtual sessions and engages with students and parents to promote US education.

Amita holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from University of Delhi. In her leisure time, she enjoys watching nature documentaries, gardening, reading, and listening to instrumental music.

Monika Bishambhu

Receptionist-cum-Assistant

Monika Bishambhu joined USIEF in and is an Assistant in the EducationUSA program. With more than 23 years of professional experience, she is a crucial point of contact at the Centre, managing reception duties, providing logistical and administrative support, and overseeing database management.

Monika graduated with a bachelor’s degree from University of Delhi. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, listening to music, and inspiring others to remain persistent in their pursuit of goals.

Jhulan Ghose

Program Manager

Jhulan Ghose joined USIEF in 2023 and is the Program Manager in Kolkata regional office. She manages the Fulbright Program for the East & North-east region and has over 20 years of experience in the development and education sector. Prior to USIEF, Jhulan served for national and international organizations and worked closely with UNESCO, Open University-UK, University of Manchester, British Council & European Union. Jhulan is trained in ethnographic action research and short video production on developmental stories & documentaries. She was engaged in managing an international volunteer program in Kolkata and mentored University students in social engagement from India & Ireland.

Jhulan is a graduate from University of Calcutta and completed her postgraduate degree in Business Management from Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management, Kolkata.

Ratan Banik

Administrative Assistant

Ratan Banik joined USIEF in 2005 and is an Administrative Assistant in Kolkata regional office. He oversees administrative and fiscal related work for the office.

Ratan holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Calcutta.

Ryan A. Pereira

Regional Officer

Ryan Pereira joined USIEF in 2011 and is the Regional Officer at the Mumbai regional office. He supervises both the EducationUSA and Fulbright programs in Western India. Ryan has over fourteen years’ experience guiding students interested in pursuing higher studies in the U.S. Prior to that, he taught various courses in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at St. Xavier’s College Mumbai.

Ryan has a master’s degree in biochemistry from Mumbai University and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from The Ohio State University. Besides work, he enjoys reading and hiking.

Deborah Rosario

Senior Adviser, EducationUSA

Deborah Rosario joined USIEF in 2016 and is the Senior EducationUSA Adviser at the Mumbai regional office. She previously worked in university preparation, university events in Indian and international organizations, and taught English Literature to university students in Oxford, U.K., and Mumbai. Besides work with U.S. education, Deborah also writes on topics regarding culture, and local history.

Deborah has a doctorate in English Literature, from Oxford University.

Suranjana Das

Program and Alumni Manager

Suranjana Das joined USIEF in 2014 and is the Program and Alumni Manager at the Mumbai regional office. In her current role, she manages the Fulbright Program for Western India. She also leads outreach efforts, guiding applicants and strengthening the Fulbright alumni network across India. Her work focuses on fostering partnerships, driving engagement, and building a vibrant community of scholars and professionals. She also manages all the social media platforms of USIEF. Suranjana began her career at the Indian Red Cross Society, managing community health and youth development programs. She also worked as the Regional Program Coordinator for South Asia at the Institute of International Education (IIE),New Delhi, facilitating outreach for New York University Abu Dhabi.

Suranjana has a master’s degree in sociology from Delhi School of Economics and a bachelor’s degree from Hindu College, University of Delhi.

Neelam Pradhan

Accounts Associate

Neelam Pradhan joined USIEF in 2008 and is the Fiscal Associate. Her responsibilities include maintenance of records in computerized Tally Accounting Package, cash handling, bank coordination and processing of payments. She brings over sixteen years of professional experience to her role.

Neelam holds a master’s degree in commerce and a post graduate diploma in Business Administration and Finance from Symbiosis University, Pune.

Maya Sundararajan

Regional Officer

Maya joined USIEF in 2011 and is the Regional Officer at the Chennai regional office. Maya manages the American & Indian Fulbright and Fulbright-Nehru Program in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Puducherry. She also oversees the EducationUSA program for same region which involves promotion of U.S. higher education and providing guidance to Indian students interested to study in the United States. Her career focus has been on fostering partnerships and enabling exchange between countries. She has 24 years of professional experience in a wide range of areas including education, promotion of bilateral trade & investment, and arts management through her previous roles in British Deputy High Commission and at the British Council in Chennai, India.

Maya has a Masters in Tourism and Post Graduate Honors Diploma in Personnel Management from Madurai Kamaraj University and Madras School of Social Work. In her free time, she enjoys travelling and reading.

Gayatri Singhal

Program Manager

Gayatri Singhal joined USIEF in 2006 and is the Program Manager for the Indian Fulbright program. She is responsible for the administration of four Fulbright-Nehru and Fulbright Fellowships for Indian citizens. Before joining USIEF, she worked with CARE-India, a non-governmental organization, and taught at a degree college in Ghaziabad.

Gayatri holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Gujarat. In addition to her professional work, Gayatri is a fitness enthusiast and volunteers at Jyoti Seva Nyas Gurukul in Ghaziabad, where she teaches English to middle-school students who are transitioning from Hindi to English medium schools during her free time.

Geetika Verma

HR

Geetika Verma joined USIEF in 2017 and is the HR Manager. With 21 years of experience in Human Resources Management, Geetika specializes in navigating the complexities of HR practices. Passionate about people, Geetika enjoys engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds and temperaments.

Geetika holds both a graduate and postgraduate degree in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) from the University of Delhi and Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, Delhi. In her free time, she loves listening to good music.

Shafique Taj Ahmed

Administrative Coordinator

Shafiq joined USIEF in 2007 and wors as an Administrative Coordinator. With over 25 years of administrative experience, he oversees daily administrative operations at USIEF Delhi, coordinates important communications and compliance to USIEF policies in administrative processes. He supervises administrative staff and delegates responsibilities to ensure performance. Before joining USIEF, he has also worked in Govt. Sector.

Shafiq holds a bachelor’s degree in arts from Bundelkhand University. Shafiq is a music lover and plays harmonica. He also enjoys reading, travelling, and cooking.

Meena Tyagi

Administrative Coordinator

Meena Tyagi joined USIEF in 2007 and is the Administrative Coordinator. In her current profile, she coordinates for conferences, workshops and bookings for all program events and activities. Her role also includes vendor negotiations and procurement of marketing services and collaterals. She holds to her credit more than 12 years of experience in administrative responsibilities.

Meena holds master’s degree in economics from Annamalai University.

Sachin Kumar

Technical Coordinator - Information Technology

Sachin Kumar is the Technical Coordinator – IT at USIEF, a position he has held since 2004. With over 24 years of experience in IT management, Sachin has built a strong expertise in the field. He holds several certifications, including ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), ADWET (Advanced Diploma in Web and E-Commerce Technology), and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer).

Sachin earned his master’s degree in Computer Science from Manipal University. Outside of work, he is passionate about Indian Bollywood music and enjoys traveling.

Girish Kaul

Senior Program Officer- Administration

Girish Kaul joined USIEF in 2001 and currently serves as the Senior Program Officer – Administration, overseeing the operational and administrative functions of the Foundation. He also manages two key programs for U.S. scholars, professionals, and teachers: the Fulbright Specialist Program and the Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad Program and contributes to facilitate meaningful connections in U.S.-India educational exchange programs. Before his current role, Girish also held positions as Manager (Conferences) and Senior Program Officer – U.S. Program in USIEF. He has extensive experience in the higher education sector, having worked for six years at the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).

Girish holds a PhD in Geography from Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi.

Pradeep Singh

Driver-Cum-Office-Boy

Pradeep works as a Driver in USIEF and also provides administrative and clerical support to the Delhi office.

Maman Singh

Driver-Cum-Office-Boy

Maman Singh works as a Driver in USIEF and also provides administrative clerical support to the Delhi office.

Rajesh

Office Boy

Rajesh works as an Office Boy and provides clerical support to the Delhi office.

Ram Pratap Singh

Gardener

Ram Pratap works as a Gardener in USIEF and is responsible for keeping the USIEF Delhi office space green and aesthetically pleasing.

Vikas Sethi

Fiscal Manager

Vikas Sethi joined USIEF in 2000 and is the Fiscal Manager. He has over twenty-five years of expertise in finance and accounting. He is a key player in the Fiscal section, supporting the US Program. Prior to joining USIEF, Vikas gained experience in both commercial and non-profit sectors. He possesses a profound understanding of financial principles and regulations.

Vikas is a qualified Chartered Accountant (Intermediate) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds a 2 year’s Post Graduate Diploma in Business and Finance from Symbiosis.

Megha Thakur

Fiscal Manager

Megha Thakur joined USIEF in 2019 is the Fiscal Manager. She has over 12 years of work experience. She has rich experience in the field of finance and management having proven skills in financial analysis and reporting. She has formerly worked with various reputed Government, non-profit and institutes.

Megha is a Cost Management Accountant (CMA) professional from the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICWA), Delhi.

Vivek Kushwaha

Fiscal Associate

Vivek Kushwaha joined USIEF in 2014 and is the Fiscal Associate. He has nineteen years of experience in finance & accounts. He began his journey with a commercial organization and got experience in a non-profit organization. He has a deep understanding of financial principles and regulations. Moreover, his proficiency in utilizing accounting software and advanced Excel functions has enabled him to streamline processes and improve efficiency within previous organizations.

Vivek holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Delhi University. He enjoys bike riding, traveling, and playing badminton.

Sarabjit Oberoi

Fiscal Associate

Sarabjit Oberoi joined USIEF in 2011 and is a Fiscal Associate. Her responsibilities include invoice processing, vendor payments, coordinating staff advances, travel reimbursements and petty cash management for all offices. She also supports on the compilation of monthly TDS and TDS returns.

Sarabjit holds a master’s degree in commerce from Himachal University.

Shinu Shoba

Fulbright Program Coordinator

Shinu Shoba Vincent joined USIEF in 2013 and is the Fulbright Program Coordinator at the Chennai regional office. She coordinates the administration of the Indian and U.S. Fulbright Programs in the region. She works closely with institutions to promote Fulbright opportunities and facilitate academic exchange. With over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, management, finance, and training, she is dedicated to supporting educational collaborations and advancing the mission of the Fulbright Program.

Shinu holds a master’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from the University of Madras.

Viji Shibu Ninan

Program Coordinator

Viji Shibu Ninan joined USIEF in 2004 and is the Program Coordinator in the Indian Fulbright program. She administers the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Programs for faculty, researchers, professionals, and higher education administrators. Prior to USIEF, she worked with many corporate offices to name few, Ranbaxy, Tata Infotech, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in HIV/AIDS Project.

Viji has a bachelor’s in economics from Utkal University, Odisha and a diploma in the computer application programming. She is an active member of the Church choir and loves to travel with family and friends.

Devender P. S. Taneja

Senior Fiscal Officer

Devender P.S. Taneja joined USIEF in 2005 and currently serves as the Senior Fiscal Officer, managing the fiscal functions of the Foundation. He is responsible for overseeing centralized accounting, banking, investments, various audits and certifications, tax compliances, grant management and disbursements for USIEF centrally.  He also leads on the preparation of the periodical financial reports for the USIEF Fiscal Committee and the Board, and for various departments of the Indian and American governments.

Devender has a B. Com. (Hons.) degree and is a Chartered Accountant.

Vaideeswaran M.

Administrative Associate

Vaideeswaran joined USIEF in 2022 and is the Administrative Associate in the Chennai regional office. Vaideeswaran has over nine years of professional experience in the education and healthcare sectors, specializing in office administration, customer service, and facility management. He is a dedicated team player who consistently strives for organizational success. In his previous roles, Vaideeswaran has supported international scholars and students by orienting them to life in India and assisting with necessary paperwork. He has also successfully organized higher education and research conferences. Currently, Vaidee (as he prefers to be called) manages the administrative and fiscal operations of USIEF's Chennai regional office while coordinating Fulbright and EducationUSA activities.

Vaideeswaran holds a master’s degree in business administration. In his leisure time, Vaidee enjoys watching action-thriller movies and web series.

Aastha Virk Singh

Senior Program Officer

Aastha Virk Singh joined USIEF in 2014 and serves as the Senior Program Officer at EducationUSA. She has dedicated a decade to guiding countless students in making informed career decisions and exploring opportunities for higher education in the United States. With over 13 years of expertise in higher education and counseling psychology, she specializes in innovative advising and programming, strategic planning, resource development, career counseling, life skills training, social media management, and organizational branding and design. A committed mentor and advocate for professional growth, Aastha is dedicated to fostering talent and guiding teams toward achieving their full potential, ensuring alignment with individual aspirations and organizational goals. Recognized for her outstanding mentorship, she received the prestigious Best Mentor Award, an honor bestowed on a single member across the global network. She has also participated in numerous U.S. State Department training programs and represented EducationUSA at prominent international conferences.

Aastha holds an M.Ed. in the Psychology of Education from the University of Bristol, UK, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Mumbai, India, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Sophia College, Mumbai, India. She is usually seen with her ink pens and planner, loves everything Italian; enjoys watching plays; loves jigsaws, visiting museums and national parks; and her favorite comic strip is Calvin and Hobbes. 

Bhavna Jolly

Senior Program Officer

Bhavvna Jolly joined USIEF in 2018 and serves as the Senior Program Officer for EducationUSA at USIEF. She spearheads the EducationUSA program across India. In collaboration with advising teams nationwide, Bhavvna promotes U.S. higher education, fosters student mobility, and advances the U.S. Department of State’s public diplomacy mission. In her career spanning over 15 years, Bhavvna has donned many hats and her cross-functional expertise extend across academics, student recruitment, outreach, academic counseling, digital marketing, corporate communication, and beyond. Prior to joining USIEF, she worked at institutions like Pandit Deendayal Energy University, the University of Technology and Management, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, and the Indian Institute of Art and Design. Across her diverse roles, the most rewarding outcomes have been contributing to students’ growth stories, driving organizational change and guiding teams towards creating meaningful impact. 

Bhavvna holds a B.A. (Hons) in English from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in International Business from the Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, and earned an M.P.S in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Her educational experiences in the U.S., including her role as a student employee within the University System of Maryland, laid the groundwork for her career in international education recruitment and management. Outside of work, Bhavvna channels her creativity into interior design and furniture painting or unwinds with a good dose of stand-up comedy. 

Ratan Banik

Administrative Assistant

Ratan Banik joined USIEF in 2005 and is an Administrative Assistant in Kolkata regional office. He oversees administrative and fiscal related work for the office.

Ratan holds a bachelor’s degree from University of Calcutta.

Suchitha U. Jogi

Administrative Coordinator

Suchitha Jogi joined USIEF in 2011 and is an Administrative Coordinator at the Mumbai regional office. Suchitha began her career in the administrative and accounting field and worked for 5 years in a similar field before joining USIEF. In her current role at USIEF, Suchitha is responsible for handling day-to-day administrative affairs and fiscal duties, assisting EducationUSA and the Fulbright team with various events organized by them. She also handles basic queries of students who aspire to go to the U.S. for higher studies.

Suchitha holds a bachelor’s degree in financial accounting and auditing from Mumbai University.

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