Meet the Admissions Staff
The admissions staff is eager to help you throughout the admissions process. Please feel free to contact any counselor below.
Mark Spencer
Dean of Admissions
mspencer@brandeis.edu
I grew up in western New York and went to college in central New York. I worked my first job living just outside of New York City and then returned to the “gorges” finger lakes area of central New York. I recently moved to the western suburbs of Boston.
I earned my undergraduate degree in political science and my graduate degree in education. I have been working in admissions now for almost 17 years and have loved every minute of it. I really enjoy getting the opportunity to speak to students and families from a myriad of backgrounds and counseling/assisting them however I can to navigate these sometimes “turbulent waters” called the college admissions process.
I have been an avid soccer player for many years, but a torn ACL has me sidelined for the next year (I promise I will return to the pitch!).
Please let me or any of the admission officers know how we might be of assistance to you as you conduct your college search process. We truly look forward to working with each and every one of you!
Jennifer Walker
Director of Admissions
walkerj@brandeis.edu
I was born in Boston and raised just south of the city. I spent my undergraduate and graduate years in New York, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's in organizational and industrial psychology. I have been an athlete all my life and swam competitively throughout college.
I truly enjoy getting to know more about you through your personal statements or chatting with you during a campus visit.
When I am not at work, I like to spend as much time as I can outdoors. I try to take one adventure trip a year in addition to leading a wilderness service trip.
I look forward to helping you through the admission process.
Travel territories: New York City (Manhattan) and Canada
Andrew Flagel
Senior Vice President for Students and Enrollment
SVPFlagel@brandeis.edu
In my position, I oversee the offices of admissions, community living (housing), athletics, financial aid, student accounts, the Hiatt Career Center, the Health Center, the Inter-Faith Chaplaincy, the Inter-Cultural Center, Student Activities, and others serving the Brandeis community. I also teach periodic courses, most recently in the theater department.
Originally from Dayton, Ohio, I now live in Needham, Massachusetts, with my wife and son, Joshua (Brandeis class of 2024!) and our dog, Penguin. Reach me on Twitter @deanflagel, or check out my blog at MyCollegeOptions.org.
Jacquie Villa Evanko
Associate Director of International Admissions
jvevanko@brandeis.edu
Originally from California, I attended High School in Guadalajara, Mexico, college in upstate New York and I studied abroad in both Spain and France. Coupled with my Mexican-American background, this sparked a love and passion for all things international.
I have now been in international admissions for almost ten years and my life has been enriched by the students and families that I am able to meet from all corners of the world. As a first generation college graduate and first generation American I enjoy working with students from all walks of life, helping them navigate the paths to reaching their academic and professional goals.
In my spare time, you'll find my husband and I introducing the world to our one-year old son through books (in English, Spanish and French!), trips to Florida to visit family and friends, the outdoors, visits to the aquarium, food, art and music! He loves music!
Travel territories: Europe, Latin America, International
Amy Perez
Associate Director
apr@brandeis.edu
I originally grew up in Lubbock, Texas, and have been living in Boston for the past 11 years. I earned my undergraduate degree in marketing and my graduate degree in higher education administration.
What I like most about working in admissions is the excitement of meeting new people and finding out what makes people tick.
In my free time I enjoy outings with friends and I like to try new restaurants in Boston and surrounding areas. Moody Street in Waltham has fantastic dining options!
Travel territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, , Massachusetts (Boston area), Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas
Jared Rivers
Associate Director
jriv@brandeis.edu
I was born in the Bronx, but I grew up in a small town called Skowhegan in central Maine. I spent my undergraduate years studying history and geography before earning a bachelor’s degree in 2001.
What I like most about college admissions is the opportunity to help students and parents navigate a process that at times can seem daunting.
I’m an avid sports fan with basketball and football being my favorites but I also like to play volleyball as much as possible. When I’m not at work or playing sports you’ll find me on the road traveling to visit with friends and family.
I look forward to meeting you and being a personal contact here in the Brandeis Admission Office.
Travel territories: New York (Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx)
Martin Vaughn
Associate Director
mvaughn@brandeis.edu
I was born and raised in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, just south of Pittsburgh. Go Steelers! I now live in San Diego and look forward to working with students and families on the West Coast.
When I'm not working, I love to watch movies and play lots of golf (not so well)! I look forward to helping you learn more about Brandeis!
Travel territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Karen Gerrior-Mariani
Assistant Director
klgm@brandeis.edu
I was born and raised in Massachusetts and earned an undergraduate degree in communications and a master's degree in management. Before coming to Brandeis, I spent many years in the corporate world, primarily in radio, professional sports and cable television.
Currently entering my ninth year at Brandeis, I appreciate the university's commitment to social justice and the activist spirit and enthusiasm on campus.
When I am not at the university, I enjoy spending time with my husband, three small children, exercising, playing tennis and helping others.
Travel territories: Massachusetts (Central)
Alison Herget
Assistant Director
aherget@brandeis.edu
Born and raised on Long Island, I have also spent parts of my life in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and now reside in the Boston area. I'm a journalist-turned-admissions professional and I sincerely enjoy working with high school students, traveling and exploring new places.
When I'm not on the road recruiting students or reading applications, you can find me reading the newspaper, dancing, spending time outside, or writing.
Travel territories: Asia, western Massachusetts
Rebecca Simons
Senior Assistant Director
rsimons@brandeis.edu
I was born in Boston and grew up just west of the city. I spent my undergraduate years studying psychology and economics, and recently received a master's in higher education. I've lived in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the past four years.
When I'm not at work I enjoy traveling, exploring the Boston culinary scene, cheering on the Red Sox and spending time with my family, friends and dogs.
Travel territories: New York (Long Island, Westchester)
Emily Herman, '12
Admissions Counselor
emilyth@brandeis.edu
Born and raised just outside of Washington, D.C. in Silver Spring, Maryland, I grew up passionate about social justice and politics. I was fortunate enough to receive my undergraduate degree from Brandeis where I double-majored in Politics and Education Studies with a focus on urban education reform.
During my time at the university, I was captain of the women's crew team, campaign coordinator of a campus political group, peer counselor at Brandeis’ safer-sex clinic, and an active member of the Brandeis Cheese Club. When I’m not at work, I love cooking, following politics, riding my bike, practicing yoga, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. I am thrilled to be a part of the admissions team and look forward to sharing my love of Brandeis with prospective students and families.
Travel territories: Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia
Shayna Medley, '12
Admissions Counselor
smedley@brandeis.edu
I grew up in Westborough, Massachusetts, about 40 minutes away from Brandeis. I earned my B.A. in English, Philosophy, and Hispanic Studies from Brandeis and am so excited to help build future classes of Brandeisians!
In my spare time I like to write, listen to music, and see performances in the wonderful city of Boston. I love books, music, dance, art, and pretty much anything that involves creativity! I enjoy giving back to the community and working with students whenever I can. In college I was involved with social activism, tutoring, and our wonderful Orientation program.
I love talking about Brandeis, so I look forward to meeting all of you!
Travel territories: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin
Marya Schnedeker
Admissions Counselor
mschned@brandeis.edu
I grew up in the small college town of Ithaca, New York, and moved to the big college town of Boston to attend university. I currently live in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in my spare time I bicycle around the Charles River and play soccer.
I look forward to talking with you about Brandeis!
Travel territories: Maine, New Hampshire, New York (north of Westchester), Vermont
Phoebe Chamberlain
Operations Manager
In my many years in higher education, I've had the opportunity to work on creating new ways of getting the job done. The operations work I do in undergraduate admissions at Brandeis opened a whole new world of systems to develop.
I am originally from a large family in a small town in Iowa and now a resident of Waltham, Massachusetts. For fun, I like to travel, garden and do large and small jobs around the house.
