Meet the Admissions Staff

The admissions staff is eager to help you throughout the admissions process. Please feel free to contact any counselor below.

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 truly enjoy getting to know more about you through your personal statements or chatting with you during a campus visit.. I have been an athlete all my life and swam competitively throughout college. 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.

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! 

Territories: Latin America, Europe, 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!

Territories: Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas

Rebecca Simons
Associate 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.

Territories: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York (Westchester county, Manhattan), North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

Alison Herget
Senior 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. 

Territories: Asia, Turkey

Jen Cotton
Assistant Director
jdcotton@brandeis.edu

Born and raised in Concord, New Hampshire, I attended college in Massachusetts, where I studied anthropology and Chinese. After college, I moved to Beijing and have since worked with high school students both internationally and domestically as a teacher, mentor, coach, and now as an admissions professional. I have lived in the Boston area for five years and spend most of my free time playing rugby, skiing, and seeking out new outdoor adventures. I look forward to getting to know you and speaking with you about Brandeis! 

Territories: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Northern California, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming

Nicole Kelman
Assistant Director
nkelman@brandeis.edu

As a native of Connecticut, I am excited to return to New England and Red Sox country! I attended undergraduate and graduate school in Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, I studied psychology and business and later went on to pursue a master's in higher education administration. I love working with students and helping families through the college process. Working on a college campus is so rewarding because of the passion and enthusiasm students have for learning. Brandeis students are what make this unique campus full of life and excitement. When I am not reading applications, you can find me blogging, making jewelry, dancing, trying new restaurants and exploring Boston. I look forward to sharing passions with you! 

Territories: Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Southern California, Utah

Annie Chiorazzi, '11
Admissions Counselor
chiorazz@brandeis.edu

I hail from Old West, specifically Tucson, Arizona. I graduated from Brandeis in 2011 with a B.A. in Politics and American Studies and after graduation I went on to earn my M.A. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. I am excited to have the opportunity to help shape future classes of Brandeisians! During my time at Brandeis I found myself involved in many clubs including the Undergraduate Theater Collective, Positive Foundations (a club dedicated to eradicating poverty world-wide through the Millennium Development Goals) and Students for Environmental Action (the largest activist club on campus). I was also active in the Department of Community Living where I served as a Community Advisor for two years. Outside of the office I love exploring Boston, especially local comedy clubs, and trying all the great culinary options the city has to offer. I am ecstatic to be part of this admissions team and to share my experiences and love of Brandeis with prospective students and their families!

Territories: New York (Long Island, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, the Bronx)

David Girvan
Admissions Counselor
dgirvan@brandeis.edu

I was born and raised south of Boston in Norwood, Massachusetts. I recently earned my B.A. in Graphic Design with a minor in Interdisciplinary Marketing Relations from Stonehill College. I was highly involved in both Admissions and Student Affairs during my undergraduate experience and have found a true dedication for helping students discover, develop, and expand upon various passions or interests. In my spare time I am an avid runner, who happens to run on coffee. Also, I love to travel to new locations, design, typography, staying informed about America and the world, and anything that leads to me using my vast knowledge of pop culture. I am very excited to be a part of the admissions team and look forward to meeting you!

Territories: Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

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.

Territories: Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Israel

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!

Territories: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin

Jonathan Megerian, '12
Admissions Counselor
jmegerian@brandeis.edu

Having spent most of my childhood in eastern Massachusetts, I was fortunate enough to attend Brandeis after graduating high school. As a history major, I was able to take advantage of all the great resources a liberal arts education affords at Brandeis. I worked as a research assistant, and I served as the undergraduate representative for the history department. I was also a member of STAND, Deis Dems, and was the senior editor of the Brandeis Law Journal. I am so excited to be back at Brandeis.

Territories: Maine, Massachusetts (Western, Central, Concord, Wellesley, Northshore), New Hampshire, New York (upstate), 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.