Academic Services

Kim Godsoe: Dean of Academic Services

Kim began working in the field of higher education in 1990, and has been a member of the Brandeis community since 1994. As the Dean of Academic Services, Kim oversees all aspects of this busy office, from class-based advising to special programs. With a BA in Russian and Politics and an MFA in Writing, Kim is currently working on her PhD in Assets and Inequalities from the Heller School at Brandeis. Dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the mission and values of Brandeis, Kim serves on a number of campus committees, including the Committee on Academic Standing, the Committee in Support of Teaching, and the Provost's Advisory Committee on Assessment. On a larger scope, she has also presented on the topic of Assessment at the national conference for the Council for Opportunity in Education, as well as at regional conferences for NASPA and NACADA. Outside of work, Kim loves to test out new culinary creations and also loves to travel to places including Italy, Spain, Russia, Estonia, Costa Rica, and Montserrat.

J. Scott Van Der Meid: Assistant Dean of Academic Services and Director of Study Abroad

Scott has directed the study abroad program at Brandeis University since 1999.  Prior to his time at Brandeis he worked for several years in Boston University's Office of International Programs.  Scott received his B.A. in History and German Literature with a concentration in Asia in the Modern World from Allegheny College and his M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University.  He studied in West Germany during the fall of the Berlin Wall and Germany's eventual unification. Scott also studied and worked for several years in Tokyo, Japan. He has been to over 45 countries on every continent except Antarctica. Professionally Scott has served on several national advisory boards in the field of international education including Arcadia University's National Advisory Board, IFSA-Butler's Executive Council of the National Advisory Council and SIT Study Abroad's Partnership Council. He is past Co-Chair of the NAFSA Rainbow Special Interest Group and served as a founding member of the Forum on Education Abroad's Advisory Council. Other national committee involvement included NAFSA's Committee on Underrepresentation in Education Abroad, the SECUSSA Data Collection Working Group, the CIEE Nomination's Committee, the IES Membership Committee, the Forum on Education Abroad's Data Committee and Forum on Education Abroad's Ethics Working Group. He currently serves on the IES Institutional Membership Committee and is a member of the Advisory Board for the NAFSA Rainbow SIG.

Kate Amaral: Assistant Director, International Students and Scholars Office

A member of the Brandeis community since 2007, Kate is responsible for immigration advising for international students and scholars, as well as coordinating programs that foster international awareness. She also plans events and outings for students and scholars and serves as coordinator of the Wien International Scholarship Program. Kate holds a BA in Studio Art, with a minor in French, and used these skills when she taught English in France for a year. After spending five years living and working in higher education in Texas, Kate returned to her native New England (she is originally from outside of Providence), where she can once again cheer on her beloved Red Sox. Kate also enjoys charcoal drawing and photography.

Gillian Boulay: SEVIS/PASS Administrator, International Students and Scholars Office

After spending several years living and working in southern China, Gillian moved back to her native New England and began working at Brandeis in 2009. For a year and a half Gillian supported international students and scholars as the Department Coordinator of the ISSO.  In September 2010 Gillian transitioned to the role of SEVIS/PASS Administrator in the ISSO.  Gillian enjoys generating immigration documents for all international students at Brandeis, maintaining the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and providing visa and immigration support to all of Brandeis' amazing international students! Gillian holds a BA in Anthropology and Asian Studies (with a concentration in Chinese) from Mount Holyoke College as well as a TEFL Certification for Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Peking University. A food enthusiast, Gillian loves to cook and host dinner parties for family and friends.

Ruth Brigham: International Students Advisor, ISSO

Ruth joined the Brandeis community in 2001 with extensive international experience and education. Prior to Brandeis, she was the director and a teacher in an ESL program for an organization called ACCESS in Boston’s Chinatown. She also taught ESL classes for a summer in Dushanbe, Tajikistan and, while there, enjoyed traveling in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. She recalls her most amazing adventure as doing relief work in Colombia for three months. With a BS in French and minor in Spanish, and a MA in TEFL and Intercultural Studies, Ruth advises international students concerning travel and employment, and also organizes workshops for the ISSO. To add to her international experience, Ruth lived in various European countries for over 8 years.

Natacha Cesar:  Academic Advisor, Coordinator of Junior and Senior Programming

Natacha is the advisor to all students with last names beginning with the letters A-E. In addition, she is very excited to be coordinating Junior and Senior academic programming. Natacha is originally from Cordoba, Argentina and immigrated to the United States when she was 10 years old. She attended Boston College for her undergraduate degree in history and art history and also her Master's degree in applied developmental and educational psychology with a concentration in community psychology and social justice. During her time at BC, Natacha worked with the office of AHANA student programs, the Center for Human Rights and Residential Life. In her spare time, Natacha enjoys spending time with her big family, shopping for bargains and cheering on the BC Eagles!

Courtney de Vries: Associate Director of Study Abroad

Courtney, at Brandeis since 2010, originally hails from Midwest City, Oklahoma, and had her first experience abroad at the age of eighteen when she was selected to participate in the People to People International Student Ambassador trip to Northern Europe. From there Courtney attended Rose State Community College and earned her Associate degree in Liberal Studies in 1997. She then went on to the University of Oklahoma to pursue her Bachelor of Arts in International and Area Studies with a focus on Europe. While at OU, Courtney went on three separate study abroad programs: one year at the Universiteit Utrecht in the Netherlands, a summer program to Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Mexico, and a semester program at the Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. Courtney’s love for experiencing education and life abroad continued with her attending the Universiteit van Amsterdam, where she obtained her Master of Arts in European Studies in 2005. Courtney’s work experience is a direct reflection of those previous experiences abroad and reflects time as a Study Abroad Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, a Senior Travel Coordinator with STA Travel, a Placement Manager with EF Foundation for Foreign Study, and most recently, Associate Director of International Programs at Rice University.

PJ Dickson: Director of Class-Based Academic Advising, Coordinator of First Year Academic Programming

PJ grew up in Saugus, MA, and has been working in higher education since 1995. He came to Brandeis in 2002 as a graduate student and began working in his current position in 2007. PJ assists students whose last names begin with the letters L-Q. He also supervises the Roosevelt Fellows to provide peer-to-peer academic advising, and works to design and implement programs to improve the experiences of first year students on campus. He is also proud to be the mentor to the Brandeis Posse 8. PJ holds a BA in Sociology and African American Studies and two Master’s Degrees—one in African American Studies and one in American History. He is currently working on his PhD dissertation which focuses on the history of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, specifically examining continuity and change at the prison in the wake of the federal court's intervention in the governance of the prison.

David Elwell: Director, International Students and Scholars Office

David’s roots in higher education run deep, as both of his parents worked as faculty and staff at a university in his home state of New Hampshire. David himself has been working in higher education since 1992, and began working at Brandeis in 2000. With a BA in Political Science and Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture, and a MPA in Public Administration (Intercultural Communication/Human Resources Management), David has extensive international experience. His main responsibilities include providing advising and programming support to the approximately 900 international students and 175 international scholars/professors/researchers at Brandeis, and helping international population adjust to life in the U.S. He also serves as Brandeis’ designated school official to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Department of State. His favorite Brandeis memory was traveling to New Orleans with a group of Wien Scholars to aid in relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. His interest in all-things-international was spurred on as a teen when David first traveled abroad to Europe as a member of American soccer team. He now enjoys traveling to new places with his wife and daughter.

Gerardo Garcia-Rios: Director, Student Support Services Program

A native of Mexico, Gerardo has been working in higher education since 2003, and joined the Brandeis community as Director of SSSP in 2005. His primary role is to oversee the enrollment, advising, management, and supervision of the program, and to offer support to first-generation college students throughout their time here. With a BA in Psychology and Philosophy, and a MSW in Clinical Counseling, Gerardo was the first person in his family to attend college, where he was also an avid soccer player.

Allyson W. Goose: Study Abroad Advisor

Allyson started her work in the Office of Study Abroad in June 2008, bringing with her extensive experience in international and experiential education. Prior to coming to Brandeis she served as an advisor and resident coordinator, delivering leadership development programs, organizing community service projects and counseling students on job skills. In addition, she has taught English in Unoke, Japan and Cuenca, Ecuador. She holds a Master’s degree in Teaching and a B.A. in Anthropology. As a student, she studied abroad in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Netherlands. Allyson is responsible for advising first years and sophomores, coordinating summer study abroad and managing tuition payments.

Alyssa Grinberg: Program Manager, Justice Brandeis Semester

Alyssa joined the Brandeis community in the fall of 2009, when she was hired to launch the new Justice Brandeis Semester (JBS) and the Brandeis in The Hague Program. She collaborates with various departments, faculty and staff so that students can realize their potential through these academic and experiential learning opportunities.  Her career in education began in 1999 at City Year, a program that inspired the creation of Americorps.  As an undergraduate and after receiving her BA from Occidental College, Alyssa worked extensively in experiential education.  She has taught in special education settings and after-school programs and most recently served as the director of admissions and university relations at a non-profit international educational institution. In her personal life and at work, Alyssa is passionate about environmental sustainability and social justice.  Outside of the office, Alyssa enjoys sailing, rock climbing, camping, dancing and listening to live music.

Misty Huacuja-LaPointe

Misty started at Brandeis in 2010 and is the program manager for the Lerman-Neubauer Fellows, Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars and other Brandeis University merit scholars. As such, she works with students on academic advising and building community amongst high achieving students. Misty is committed to helping students make the most of their opportunities while at Brandeis and encouraging them to reach for their goals.  Misty is originally from Houston, Texas and retains her use of "yall" as well as her enjoyment of spicy cuisine. Her professional career began in 1999 and has taken Misty to Minnesota, Iowa, and Massachusetts. It has also provided her with the opportunity to learn the correct pronunciation of Minnesota (Minnesooooota) as well as take to calling coke/soda, "pop".  In her spare time, Misty enjoys spending time with her family, photography, traveling, and cooking. An unabashed foodie, Misty can talk your ear off about recipes and spices, and is always interested in hearing about new restaurants or foods to try. She has completed two triathlons, but now has a hard time finding time to train. Misty holds a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Grinnell College and a Master's in Education from Iowa State University.

Judith Hudson: Director, Pre-Health Advising

Judith joined Brandeis in 2009, although her career in higher education began in 1980. She particularly enjoys advising students and hearing about their academic and career goals. Judith also brings with her a wealth of educational experience, with a BA in English Education, a MA in Student Personnel Administration, and an EdD in Social Justice Education, with a research concentration on professional teachers who taught in Mississippi Freedom Schools during Freedom Summer, 1964. Aside from her commitment to social justice, Judith is also an avid advocate for the arts. She has lived and traveled in Europe and the Far East, and recently returned from Korea, where she participated in a reunion of former Peace Corps Volunteers. Judith also enjoys hiking, swimming, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing, as well as visiting her two sons who live in Vermont.

Colleen Kenny: Senior Department Coordinator

Colleen is a proud native of the New Jersey shore and has spent the last two years living in Chicago.  She is a Senior Department Coordinator for Academic Services; assisting both class-based academic advisors and the Transitional Year Program at Brandeis.  Colleen is also excited about the opportunity to work with the Roosevelt Fellow Program.  She holds a B.A. in Business Administration and greatly enjoys working at Brandeis, as it recalls her positive undergraduate experience.  Colleen has a strong affection for 80's music and movies.  She enjoys running and exploring Boston, two activities she sometimes combines.

Brian Koslowski: Academic Advisor

Brian comes to Academic Services after serving as a Community Development Coordinator (CDC) in Massell and Village Quads for two years here at Brandeis University.  Brian is the Academic Advisor for International students and for students whose last names begin with W-Z.  He has a B.A. in Psychology and Communication and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, both from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  While Brian has worked in Residence Life for the past five years, he has also held positions in Admissions, Orientation, and Pre-College programs at UMass Amherst, NYU, and Brown.  Brian is passionate about social justice education, college access, and student leadership.  In his free time, Brian likes to spend as much time on his bicycle (and working on becoming a certified spin instructor!), dance to live music, and exploring the greater Boston area.   

Katie McFaddin: Academic Advisor, Coordinator of Sophomore Academic Programming

Katie is originally from Ohio, spent the past four years in Oregon, and currently lives in Belmont. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Urban Planning and a master’s degree in Arts Administration, and has worked in higher education since 2004. As the primary contact for Brandeis students whose last names begin with F-K, Katie is committed to helping students make the most of their college experience. She is a representative on the Sophomore Year Experience (SYE) team, which provides programs and events specifically for the sophomore class. Outside of work, Katie enjoys knitting, running, trying out new recipes, and exploring Boston.

Andrea McIsaac: Department Coordinator

Katy McLaughlin: Department Coordinator, Student Support Services

Katy McLaughlin began working at Brandeis University in 2010. Prior to joining Brandeis, Katy worked in academic publishing for the two years following her graduation from Tufts University with a bachelor's degree in Philosophy. As the Department Coordinator for SSSP, Katy helps to oversee the SSSP computer lab, coordinate the laptop loan program, schedule student appointments with academic advisors, and prepare grant reports. In her spare time, Katy enjoys reading, writing, going on hikes, and learning to cook.

Meredith Monaghan: Director of Academic Fellowships

Meredith was a professor of Classics at Reed College and Boston College before coming to Brandeis as Director of Academic Fellowships in 2010. She earned an MA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. from Stanford, but her fondest memories are of her days as an undergraduate at Bowdoin College, where she met her husband Pete.  She loves working directly with students, especially helping them to discern, and then achieve, their goals. She has lived in Greece and Italy, and before she became a mom she used to enjoy traveling, scuba diving, and snow-boarding.  Now her adventures are of the more domestic variety: cooking, playing in the yard, and going to the library with daughter Lorelei and son Brandon.

Laurie Nelson: Associate Director of Class-Based Advising

Laurie joined Brandeis' Academic Services team in 2011, advising students whose last names begin with R through V.  She has an A.B. in Sociology from Bowdoin College, an M.A. in Sociology from Notre Dame, and an M.Ed. in Student Development in Higher Education from the University of Maine.  Her sociology Master’s thesis was on Masculinity and Skateboard Culture.  Prior to Brandeis, Laurie worked in the field of academic advising at the University of Maine, the University of Hawaii at Hilo, and Northeastern University.  When she is not in the office, Laurie likes to play pub trivia, travel, read, and try new things.  Most recently, she has dabbled in flying trapeze lessons and shark diving.  She is always seeking recommendations for new books and new adventures.   

Kerry Patenaude: Advisor, Disabilities Services and Support

Kerry joined the Academic Services team in 2011 as a Disabilities Specialist, where she provides individual academic support to students at Brandeis particularly as they transition from high school to their first year of college.  She holds a B.A. in Psychology, an M.S. in Technology Management with a focus on Education, and is currently pursuing her PhD in Education at Lesley University, with a specialization in Adult Learning and a particular focus on learning differences and how learning happens in the brain.  Prior to Brandeis, Kerry was the Assistant Director of Student Support Services at Boston University School of Medicine where her role included supporting all students in improving their study strategies and facilitating the process of obtaining accommodations for students with disabilities.  Kerry has also taught English & Social Studies at the high school level, Math at the junior high level, and has years of experience as a tutor for students with disabilities from the elementary through higher education levels.   In her free time, Kerry enjoys live music, anything on the water, and spending time with family & friends, as well as exploring new places, trying new things, and meeting new people.

Beth Rodgers-Kay: Director, Disabilities Services and Support

A native of upstate New York, Beth came to Brandeis in 2005, and has been working in higher education since 1989. Beth holds a BA in English and an EdM in Reading, Language and Learning Disabilities, and was a high school English and Language Arts teacher for five years. At Brandeis, she determines accommodations and services to ensure that students with disabilities are supported to compete and achieve their full potential on our campus. She also provides individual support to many students and works to increase the level of knowledge about disabilities on campus. Beth has expanded her work to the international arena, and, for one year, did voluntary service in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where she worked with school-age kids and their families.

Erika Smith: Director of the Transitional Year Program

Since 2004, Erika Smith has served as the Director of the Transitional Year Program (TYP), a one-year academic program for outstanding high school graduates who have not had access to high quality educational resources prior to college attendance. In this role, she oversees the development and delivery of the program's instructional and academic support program, co-curricular programming, and advises students through and beyond their time in the program.  As a member of the university’s Academic Services office, Erika also provides academic advising to students outside of the TYP, serves on the Executive Council of the Committee on Academic Standing, and the university’s First Year Experience Committee.  Prior to serving as the program’s director, Erika served as Program Coordinator, and a math instructor in the TYP. She has been on the program’s staff, and at Brandeis, since 2000.  Erika holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from her undergraduate institution, where she matriculated as a Posse scholar (a merit leadership scholarship program that sends groups of students to top-tier colleges and universities).  Erika also holds an EdM in Education Policy and Management, and is a PhD candidate in Social Policy at Brandeis’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management.  When Erika is not working (or studying), she likes to dance, run, and spend time with friends and family.

Emily Stewart: Department Coordinator, ISSO

Emily moved from California in 2009 to pursue her Master's degree in International Education at SIT Graduate Institute. As the ‘face’ of the ISSO, Emily is the main contact for international students. She also supports the entire ISSO staff and is responsible for running the office's undergraduate & graduate host programs. Every time Emily meets someone new, she wants travel to their country, so she has a long list to get through over the next several years!  In addition to meeting new people, she enjoys playing tennis, reading, and going to the beaches back in California.  Emily holds a BA in Linguistics and Liberal Studies from California State University-San Marcos.

Alessandra Veiga: Department Coordinator, Student Support Services Program

Alessandra was born and raised in Dorchester, MA, although her family is originally from the Cape Verde islands. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration. As the Program Coordinator for SSSP, Alessandra organizes the peer mentoring program, arranges many cultural enrichment activities for the students, and manages a small caseload of first year advisees. Alessandra enjoys eating foods such as sushi, chocolate chip cookies, and black raspberry ice cream, and also loves spending time with her Chihuahua. Outside of work, Alessandra is an avid dancer who has practiced many different forms of dance over the past 16 years

Elena Wilson: Senior Department Coordinator- TRIO Student Support Services Program

Elena began working at Brandeis in June of 2004. She coordinates the SSSP Scholarship, the Laptop Loan program, the Reference Library and Textbook Loan Resources, among other duties. Before her arrival to Brandeis she served as the Counseling Coordinator and Critical Thinking Instructor for Student Support Services. She credits Student Support Services and McNair as influential programs that guided her through her own undergraduate degree in Mass Communications. Currently, she is pursuing a Master's Degree in Sociology here at Brandeis, where she is researching gender, race, and class inequality and reconciliatory efforts to promote equity. For the past 8 years, her passion for working with students makes coming to work every day worthwhile. When she is not at work, she volunteers with a New England regional non-profit organization promoting spiritual health and well being for college students. Aside from being a tech fanatic, shopping, watching movies, eating out, and listening to music are hobbies she enjoys in her spare time.

Shari Zingle: Senior Department Coordinator

Shari began working in higher education when she moved to the Boston area in 2006. As a senior Department Coordinator, she serves as general support for all academic advising needs, and specific support for Pre-Health students and students with disabilities. Shari graduated with a B.A. in Communications and minor in Journalism from Penn State.  Prior to coming to Brandeis, Shari resided in Michigan, where she worked for the Detroit Jewish News. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Sociology part-time, while working in the office of Academic Services. Her primary concentration is sociology of the family, with special interest in young culture and identity. Outside of work, Shari enjoys outings with her husband, visiting her children in New York and Pittsburgh, cooking, exercising, and exploring the Boston culinary scene.