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Roosevelt Fellows

Peer Academic Advisors

Roosevelt Fellows are peer mentors who offer one-on-one academic advising to all Brandeis students with a focus on first years. We are upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) who have gone through an application process in order to hold this position. It is our job to share the benefits of our Brandeis experiences, and we are eager to do so. We can tell you about everything from choosing classes and professors to doing well on your tests to taking advantage of cool events on campus.

We are friendly and open to speaking with any student. All incoming first years are assigned a Roosevelt Fellow, but students can communicate with any Roosevelt Fellow they wish. We are easily accessible during our drop-in hours, which are held every weekday from 11 AM to 3 PM in Academic Services. Additionally, we run a number of noteworthy events on campus to reach out to students and to let you know what Brandeis has to offer.

We hope you will come see us; we are looking forward to meeting you.

- The Roosevelt Fellows

2011-2012 Roosevelt Fellows

Roosevelt Fellow Biographies and Emails

Elise Allan  ejallan@brandeis.edu

Elise is from southern New Jersey and a member of the class of 2012.  Her major is International Global Studies with a concentration in Media, Communications and the Arts, and minors in Latin American and Latino Studies, French and Francophone Studies, and Anthropology.  Elise came to Brandeis as a varsity swimmer, but has pursued a multitude of interests the University offers. She is co-president of the Astronomy Club and involved in a wide variety of other clubs and organizations on and off campus.  She has worked on campus as a member of the Campus Center Team and an assistant in the Athletic office, as well as a commencement usher.  She helped in the launch of Brandeis' alliance with Casa Guatemala, a tutoring and counseling program for Waltham youths from immigrant families.  She is also a World of Work Grant recipient, spending the summer of 2010 in Panama working with the United Nations Population Fund.  Her junior year was spent abroad, half in Quito, Ecuador and half in Montpellier, France.  She is continuing her stay in Montpellier for the summer, but is excited to get back to the 'Deis for one more great year!

Sarah Azarchi  saraz@brandeis.edu

Sarah is a junior from Morganville, NJ double majoring in Biology and Health: Science, Society and Policy. Sarah is on the pre-med track, and on campus she works with a post-doctorate student in the Petsko-Ringe lab, is co-editor of The Pulse (Brandeis' pre-health literary magazine), is a Chatter for the Admissions Office, and a peer counselor for S.T.A.R. (Students Talking About Relationships). Always passionate about helping others and being a part of the community, she participated in an Experiential Learning class in which she volunteered at a community health center. Sarah is spending this summer interning at NYU Langone Medical Center researching neurodegenerative diseases.  In her nonexistent free time, Sarah likes to reread the Harry Potter series, clean her room, and consider interior decorating as a possible career choice in case medical school doesn't work out. Last year Sarah was an Orientation Leader, and is so excited to be a Roosevelt Fellow to this year's incoming class of 2015! 

Louis Chai lchai@brandeis.edu

Louis is a senior pursuing majors in Biology and Chemistry and a minor in Hispanic Studies. As a student on the pre-health track, he is passionate about medicine and regularly appears on Dean’s list. Outside of academics, Louis is often found participating in community service activities through the Waltham Group. He also plays for the Men’s Ultimate Frisbee team (TRON), is an active participant in the Brandeis-Wellesley Wind Ensemble and various intramural sports, and a former orientation leader and coordinator for Volunteer Vacations, Brandeis' alternate spring break program. During the summer, Louis usually works as an instructor at a music camp, teaching children of all ages musical theory and how to play various instruments. However, this summer, he is doing neuroscience research at Harvard Medical School's New England Primate Research Center. He enjoys traveling having been to places such as Malaysia, Singapore, and Iceland and in his spare time, Louis loves to watch soccer and basketball, listen to music, and do crossword puzzles. 

Ellyn Getz ellgetz@brandeis.edu

Ellyn is a junior hailing all the way from Sharon, Massachusetts, pursuing a double major in Business and Theater and a minor in Hispanic studies. Maintaining a high GPA and making Dean's List are very important to her, just as she feels getting involved with extracurricular activities is a large part of the Brandeis experience. Ellyn is the Events Coordinator of the Brandeis co-ed a cappella group Starving Artists, co-President of A Cappella Etc., one of three Theater Undergraduate Department Representatives (UDR), the Vice President for Brandeis' Theater Company Tympanium Euphorium, and a Hebrew teacher at the Boston-area Jewish Education Program. Ellyn also works in the Alumni Relations office during the school year to coordinate Reunion as well as at the Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP), a non-profit organization  dedicated to educating the public about volunteering for clinical trials . She loves to perform onstage, and her favorite past roles include Mimi in Tymp's "Rent," Diana Morales in Tymp's "A Chorus Line," and Celeste in Brandeis Theater Company's "Sunday in the Park with George." She looks forward to taking on a different role this upcoming fall semester as the Assistant Producer for Tymp's "Little Shop of Horrors." Ellyn believes that balance is the key to success, and in her free time, she loves to hang out with friends and family, learn different languages, hike (especially in Acadia National Park), cook, travel, sing jazz and R&B, and cheer on the Boston and Brandeis sports teams.

Kelsey Grab kgrab@brandeis.edu

Kelsey Grab is a double major in Studio Art and Sociology with a minor in Peace and Coexistence studies who hails from the almost-Cape-Cod town of Middleboro, Massachusetts. Kelsey began as a midyear at Brandeis back in 2009 and hasn’t slowed down since. On campus Kelsey has been an orientation leader and midyear mentor, as well as an eco-rep.  Last summer Kelsey caught the travel bug after her Sorensen Fellowship project in India. While in Bengaluru, India she taught painting to students in the village and traveled around exploring architecture and infrastructure. Last spring Kelsey studied in Dublin, Ireland, hiking and adventuring around the island- and this summer, Kelsey is in Bali, Indonesia painting and working as a design intern at an interiors firm. When Kelsey isn’t traveling, she likes to spend time at home with her family going to her favorite Cape Cod beaches and rooting on the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics (Boston IS Titletown you know..). On campus, when she’s not in the painting studio she’s hanging out in academic services, where she also works as a peer counselor! Kelsey loves to share stories with Brandeisians, especially new students, so do stop by and talk to her!

Carly Greenberg carlymgr@brandeis.edu

Carly Greenberg is a second year graduate student at the International Business School pursuing a master’s degree in International Economics and Finance.  She graduated from Brandeis undergrad last year with a bachelor’s in Economics and International and Global Studies Magna Cum Laude.  While an undergrad, Carly also completed a minor in Environmental Studies and participated in many of Brandeis’ excellent clubs and opportunities such as Liquid Latex, Adagio, WBRS, Orientation, WATCH, the Committee on Endowment Ethics and Responsibility, and Study Abroad (Beijing, China Woo!).  Since her freshman year, Carly has excelled in academics at Brandeis and has appeared on the Dean’s list every semester.  Beyond the Brandeis community, Carly has become actively involved in the emerging field of Socially Responsible Investing and has spent her past two summers interning at Walden Asset Management gaining experience with the roles of an ESG analyst.  Carly likes watching TV, reading a good novel, traveling, visiting Boston, hanging with friends, eating amazing food, golfing, and conducting impromptu Chinese conversations.  She is very excited to get to spend one more year at Brandeis especially because it came with the benefit of getting to be a Roosevelt Fellow for another year.

Siddhi Krishna  skrishna@brandeis.edu

Siddhi Krishna is a senior from nearby Newton, MA. She double majors in Mathematics and Economics, minors in Computer Science and International and Global Studies, has a blossoming interest in Anthropology, and frequently appears on the Dean's List. A strong believer in taking advantage of the liberal arts experience, she takes classes in departments outside her own, including Music, Psychology, Politics and Philosophy. This year, Siddhi will be continuing her position as the Undergraduate Department Representative (UDR) for the Math Department, as well as newly joining the UDR Council and the Dean’s Undergraduate Curriculum Committee. Not wanting to miss out on the study abroad experience, she spent an incredible summer at Cambridge University after her sophomore year. She has been conducting Experimental Economics research for the past year, and was recently awarded the Schiff Fellowship for Undergraduate Research to continue her work. She actively participates in the South Asian Student Association, Students for Environmental Action, and more. Siddhi firmly believes that success comes with balance, and therefore makes time to laugh with friends, read The Economist, and listen to new music. She is beyond thrilled to be a Roosevelt Fellow and can’t wait to meet the Class of 2015!

Abby Kulawitz abbykul@brandeis.edu

Abby is a senior from Redding, Connecticut, majoring in American Studies and Sociology and minoring in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies.  In addition to appearing on the Dean’s List every semester, she is an active member of the Brandeis Student Union, having served as both class Senator and Executive Senator.  She will continue to be involved in the Student Union this year, working as the Director of Executive Affairs.  Abby has also been involved with English Language Learners (ELL), a volunteer group that tutors Brandeis cafeteria workers in English.  Abby has continued her studies beyond Brandeis as well.  She attended Brandeis-Middlebury’s School of Hebrew, immersing herself in Hebrew for seven weeks.  She also recently returned from a semester abroad at the University of Haifa in Israel, furthering her interest in Hebrew and Judaic studies.  Abby is currently enjoying her summer in New York City, working with the American Jewish Committee, people-watching in Central Park, and deciphering the subway system.  Abby loves Brandeis just as much as she loves pita and hummus – a whole lot!

Nicholas Maletta malettan@brandeis.edu

Nick is a junior from Sherborn, MA pursuing a double major in Business and Economics as well as a minor in Legal Studies. He is actively involved in music and theater at Brandeis and has frequently appeared in musical theater productions with Tympanium Euphorium as well as Hillel Theater Group. Nick is also a former member of Brandeis VoiceMale, an all-male on campus a cappella group. He plans to become more involved with the business of performance by taking on the task of producing this fall. During the year, Nick works as an assistant to the program administrators of both the Business and Economics Departments. He has also worked as an Orientation Leader in the Fall of 2010 and as a Student Liaison for Brandeis Reunion over the Summer of 2011. Nick is incredibly excited to be a Roosevelt Fellow and can’t wait to meet the incoming first-years!

Marla Merchut msmerchut@brandeis.edu 

Marla is originally from Geneva, Illinois but is hoping to one day call Boston her home. She is a senior who designed an Independent Interdisciplinary Major (IIM) in Conflict and Cooperation Studies. She is also minoring in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. As a midyear Marla was thrilled to dive in an be a part of everything she could here at Brandeis. In addition to being on the dean’s list each semester, Marla has danced and choreographed in Adagio Dance Company  as well as being Treasurer, Vice-President, and now President. She has also served as Director of Academic Affairs on the Student Union Executive Board, the undergraduate representative to the Provost Search Committee, and treasurer of the Brandeis Reconstructionist Organization. This year she is excited to be one of the IIM Undergraduate Department Representatives (UDR) as well as the choreographer for the Brandeis Ensemble Theater's production of Cinderella Waltz. Marla’s passion for law has only continued to grow after completing her summer internship at The Center For Legal Aid Education. She will be finishing up her law school applications this fall and cannot wait to take the social justice values Brandeis has taught her and start a career in public service. Marla is excited to be decked out in purple on a regular basis as one of your 2011-2012 Roosevelt Fellows! 

Sidak Pannu sidakp@brandeis.edu

Sidak is a senior pursuing a double major in Economics and Biology. As a student on the pre-Health track, Sidak has regularly been on the Dean’s List and as an international student from India, he is also a recipient of the prestigious Wien International Scholarship. As an elected member of the Student Union Finance Board and Treasurer of the South Asian Student’s Association, he also enjoys taking part in many club affairs and current events on campus. During the past summers, Sidak has interned with Axis Bank, one of India’s leading banks, to gain more knowledge about the world of corporate banking and has also spent time fostering the better development and growth of underprivileged slum children as a member of Revive. Outside of academics, Sidak has a great love for sports and is a member of the Brandeis Rugby and Squash Teams and is also an avid follower of soccer, basketball and cricket among many others. He firmly believes in the importance of balancing academics and one’s social life and is looking forward to meeting everyone this fall. 

Leonard Schnier lschnier@brandeis.edu

Lenny is a junior who began life at Brandeis as a Midyear student. He is majoring in Studio Art with a double minor in Business and Women's & Gender Studies.  He felt like Brandies was where he always belonged and immediately delved into all the different opportunities offered to him. Since his arrival he worked as a Political Outreach Coordinator with Triskelion, a peer counselor in the QRC, volunteered with Junior Brandeis Achievers (Waltham Group), been in a play (Hillel Theater Group's The White Liars/Black Comedy, Fall 2010) and worked on the layout staff of The Justice. He also holds a part-time job as a gallery guide at The Rose Art Museum. His most recent project is the start-up and co-founding of a new club called the Brandeis Graphic Design Alliance. In the upcoming year, he looks forward to being a Roosevelt Fellow and cannot wait to meet the Class of 2015. Though he has diverse and many interests, he knows that after Brandeis in some capacity his career will involve art. He wholeheartedly believes that you have to understand the rules in order to break them. And that's what he hopes to do, demolish the rules and keep the tradition, because art is all about stretching the boundaries of what you can get away with.  

Briana Spatz bspatz@brandeis.edu

Brianna Spatz is a senior born and raised in Davie, Florida. She decided to attend Brandeis not only for the wonderful academics, but for a chance to learn what it was like to live in snowy New England. Brianna is pursuing a double major in Psychology and Near Eastern Judaic Studies with a minor in Hebrew Language. While on campus, her favorite activities include being an administrator on Banshee (the Women's Ultimate Frisbee team), taking long walks through campus, being President of BRO (Brandeis Reconstructionist Organization), and reading by Chapel's Pond. She enjoys attending guest lectures on campus and discussing what her friends are learning in their classes over dinner. During the summer, Brianna loves working as an overnight camp counselor at Camp JRF in the Pocono Mountains. This summer, she will be acting as assistant unit head for campers in 6-8 grades and taking part in a leadership development program. One of her favorite parts of camp is spending time with her peers and campers singing, dancing, and having fun.  Brianna looks forward to being a Roosevelt Fellow for the Class of 2015!