Staff

Meet the Orientation Core Committee

Photo of Alyssa Allen
Alyssa Allen

My name is Alyssa Allen and I’m a senior from MA! I’m a double major in Education Studies and American Studies and a triple minor Theater Arts, Legal Studies, and Social Justice and Social Policy. I myself was a Midyear in 2021 and am really excited to work on orientation and meet you all in January. Outside of orientation, I also work as a Midyear Ambassador where I work to support and give resources to Midyear students throughout the academic year and Admissions fellow in our admissions office.

I am Music Director of Up The Octave - one of our a capella groups on-campus. I’m the President of the Undergraduate Theater Collective and have served as one of the Directors of the 24-hour musical for the past two years. I am also a member of the committees that plan Kindness Day in the fall. There are so many wonderful traditions, opportunities, connections, and friendships that are waiting for you at Brandeis! I have loved traditions like the 24-hour musical and Light the Night (which is one of our orientation events) and meaningful memories and friendships that I have created through them that I will carry with me even after I graduate. I am excited to meet you all and show you what makes Brandeis so special through Orientation and beyond!

Photo of Cierra Boutin
Cierra Boutin

Pronouns: She/her/hers
Major: Anthropology
Minors: Legal Studies and Hispanic Studies
Hometown: Gainesville, FL

Hi y’all!!! I am so excited to welcome you all to Brandeis! Outside of doing Orientation I am the Executive Director of Kaos (Brandeis’ hip hop dance team), Vice President of the Undergraduate Theater Collective, President of the 2023 24-Hour Musical (my FAVORITE tradition) and an avid fan of everything my friends do on campus. Coming from far away I have felt so blessed to find my home away from home these past couple years and I am looking forward to helping y’all do that too. Can’t wait to dance with you <3

Photo of Juan Jimenez Garcia
Juan Jimenez Garcia

Pronouns: he/him
Class Year: 2024
Majors/Minors: HSSP (Health: Science, Society and Policy)
Hometown: Houston, TX
My favorite thing about Brandeis is: The Intercultural Center (ICC)

Photo of Zachary Miller
Zachary Miller

My name is Zachary Miller and I am from Brooklyn, New York. I am super excited to be serving as one of the members of CORE for Midyear Orientation 2023. I am triple majoring in History, Politics, and American Studies and triple minoring in Legal Studies, Religious Studies, and the History of Ideas. In addition to my work with Orientation, I am also a member of the Eboard of the Brandeis Law Journal and serve as Chief Justice of the Brandeis Student Union's Judiciary. My favorite thing about Brandeis is the diverse range of communities students can be a part of and the variety of journeys students can take here. Looking forward to meeting everyone!

Meet the Staff

Photo of Director of Orientation and First Year Experience Laura Flynn
Laura Flynn
Director of Orientation and First Year Experience
781-736-3749 Shapiro Campus Center, 2nd Floor
Pronouns: she/her

Laura joined the Brandeis community in May 2022 as the Director of Orientation and First Year Experience. Before  Brandeis, Laura has worked at Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), Merrimack College and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She did her undergraduate work at Bridgewater State University, her graduate work at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has been working with orientation programs for almost 20 years. Laura is excited to welcome our newest students to the community that has been so welcoming to her!