Department of English

Undergraduate Departmental Representatives

About the Program

The Undergraduate Departmental Representatives (UDR) program was first established by the Student Senate in the early to mid-1990s, and reestablished in the fall of 1998 by the Office of the Dean of Arts and Sciences at the suggestion of faculty and undergraduate participants of "Creating a Welcoming Campus Environment" meetings. The program is designed to open avenues of communication between undergraduates and departmental/program faculty.

UDRs are selected during the spring semester for the following academic year.

OpenBook: An English Dept. Podcast

Podcast Series

OpenBook: An English Dept. Podcast

In this series of podcasts, undergraduate departmental representatives from English and Creative Writing interview professors to help students get to know the faculty better both as scholars and as people. Listen to these podcasts to hear a little bit more about your professors than you may learn in the classroom!

Meet the Representatives

Paige Mandia
Paige Mandia
English UDR

Paige Mandia is a senior from Essex, Massachusetts, double majoring in English and politics with a minor in psychology. She has been an avid reader since the day she learned how, and you can always find her with a book, or book recommendation, in hand. (Seriously, ask her for a recommendation.) She hopes to pursue a career that allows her to further her passion for writing and that grants her plenty of time to read, of course! When not in class, Paige works in the Archives and Special Collections, sings with Proscenium a cappella and performs with various theater groups on campus.

AJ Pesaro
AJ Pesaro
Creative Writing UDR

AJ Pesaro is a senior from London, England. At Brandeis, they are an international student and Davis scholar, double majoring in English and creative writing with a minor in film. AJ loves both genre and literary fiction and is always happy to chat/rant! They are currently stuck in their alternate-history phase.

Atlas Rosenfeld
Atlas Rosenfeld
English UDR

Atlas Rosenfeld is a junior from Boylston, Massachusetts, double majoring in English and theater with a minor in creative writing. They have always enjoyed reading and writing, and will buy way too many books at a bookstore (seriously, they spend so much money there). Their favorite things to read are fiction novels, but they love writing poetry and are always open to talking about all types of stories.

Amelia Trahan
Amelia Trahan
English UDR

Amelia Trahan (she/they) is a double major in English and sociology with a minor in AAPI studies. Ever since high school, she has had a passion for reading and writing, and when starting up at Brandeis they knew they were going to major in English. Amelia was able to explore her passion by taking Brandeis English courses that informed her on race and gender roles in society. As a BIPOC student, she is hoping to make the English department an inclusive space for other BIPOC students to thrive and explore their creative side! On another note, Amelia also studied abroad in Morocco and is studying abroad AGAIN during the Fall 2023 semester in Egypt. They are completely open to answering questions about how studying abroad works not only as an English major who wants to travel but also as a BIPOC student.

Irina Znamirowski
Irina Znamirowski
English UDR

Irina Znamirowski is a senior from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, double majoring in English and philosophy and minoring in psychology. While Irina has always been an avid reader, it was not until coming to Brandeis that she considered studying English. Irina enjoys all sorts of literature but plays and poetry are among her favourite genres, especially existential theatre. Outside of academics, Irina is extensively involved in the dance scene on campus. Irina dances with the Adagio Dance Company, Brandeis Ballet Club, and the Hooked on Tap Dance Ensemble. In addition, Irina co-choreographed Freeplay’s Cabaret in spring 2022. She is also involved with the Waltham Group serving as the 2022-23 volunteer engagement coordinator. If you have any questions about the English major, life at Brandeis, or anything else, Irina is always happy to chat!