Academic Services

Anik Chartrand

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Intended field of study: PhD in English, Concentrating in Settler Colonialism, Postcolonialism, Early American and Caribbean

If you could go back to your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be?

Take your time and enjoy being in college! I was so ready to get through all my classes and finish my degree that I didn't take the chance to just enjoy spending time with my friends, being away from home, and taking advantage of all the fun things the university had to offer. It isn't about just finishing school, it's about the experience of it all.

Fun Fact: My first language is French!

Jonathan Kelly

Class of 2023

Intended field of study: International and Global Studies, French and Francophone Studies. Minors: Social Justice and Social Policy, Creative Writing.

What does an inclusive campus look like to you?

 An inclusive campus is one that sees, understands, and respects the intersecting identities of each individual community member. Moreover, it is one that listens to each member of the community, and creates equitable spaces (like SAS and the fellows' office hours) for its students to express themselves in whatever ways they may need and want.

Fun Fact: New York's Yuh-Line Niou became the first openly autistic woman to be elected to a US state legislature this past September!

Rebekah Kristal

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Class of 2023

Intended field of study: Applied Mathematics and History, Minor in Chemistry

If you could go back to yourself in your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be?

Asking for help can include lots of different things, even beyond Student Accessibility Support: emailing professors with questions about classes they're not even teaching, checking in regularly with academic advisors, going to a community therapist for tips about self-care, or even trading chores with roommates to find what works best. In my first year, I was scared to ask for any help, but since then I've asked for help in all of these ways. If I could offer a piece of advice to myself in my first year, I would suggest being purposeful about looking into what supports are available and self-advocating to be able to use those resources.

Fun fact: My all-time favorite album is AC/DC's "Back in Black".

Alexander Cheetham

Pronouns: He/him/his and They/them/theirs

Class of 2023

Intended field of study: Sociology and Anthropology

What is one thing you would like to say to other students with disabilities who are navigating Higher Education? 

Remember that it is not your job to educate anyone else on your, or any other, disabilities if you do not have the desire and/or capacity to do so. You're here to learn and you have every right to do that without expending emotional labour to teach about yourself if you don't feel called to do so.

Fun fact: I'm a pyrographer! 

Culla Galaher

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Class of 2022

Intended field of study: Biology

What is one thing you would like to say to other students with disabilities who are navigating Higher Education?

Give yourself more credit. Navigating higher education is innately harder for students with disabilities because our educational systems are not built for people with disabilities. As students with disabilities learning in an environment not built for us, we deserve a lot more patience and appreciation that we often give ourselves.

Fun fact: I take ASL classes and plan to go back to school to become an interpreter after college.

Leah Fernandez

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Class of 2022

Intended field of study: Human-Centered Design, Psychology and Business

If you could go back to yourself in your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be? 

Reach out to everyone and share your interests! The Brandeis community is made up of so many people who want to help you succeed. I don't just mean the amazing staff at Student Accessibility Support, but your Professors, staff at the Fellowship offices, your grad student TA's, and most importantly other students. Navigating college and all the opportunities and resources Brandeis provides can be difficult but don't be afraid to express what you want and what help you need.

Fun Fact: I made my own major! Ask me how!

Nicole Garmizo

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Class of 2022

Intended field of study: Theater Arts and English, Minor in Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation (CAST)

If you could go back to yourself in your first year in college and offer a piece of advice, what would it be? 

Believe in yourself, trust yourself, and listen to your heart! Everything will work out in the end.

Fun Fact: I play the clarinet!

Students who identify as having a disability(ies) and are struggling with the transition to higher education, may benefit from meeting with the SAS Fellows. In meeting with someone who has been in a similar position, students will be able to relate and seek meaningful guidance.

Fellows are available to advise students on many different topics including but not limited to; campus resources, accommodation letter discussions with faculty, time management skills, using the Accessible Transport Van, importance of campus involvement, and navigating the dining halls, and more.

The SAS Fellows office hours are held when classes are in session, during the Fall and Spring semester.

Peer Mentoring Drop Ins

Usdan Student Center, Top Floor, Tutoring Lounge/Academic Services Inner Suite or via Zoom

Peer Mentoring Drop In's are times for one on one support. The Fellows who you will be meeting during these times are those who are registered with SAS and are currently navigating Brandeis with one or more disabilities/conditions. These times are first come first served.

Assignment Accountability Hours

Usdan Student Center, Top Floor, Tutoring Lounge/Academic Services Inner Suite or via Zoom

Assignment Accountability Hours are just like your favorite class in High School, study hall! It is a quiet space for you to come by in person or virtually at any point to be around other individuals who are striving to get work accomplished. Did you know you are more likely to get your work done if you leave your bedroom/comfort space? During this time you can also chat with a SAS Fellow who monitors this space for study tips, organizational help, etc.!

 Spring 2022 Peer Mentoring and Assignment Accountability Hours

• Mondays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m (Rebekah)
• Mondays 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Alexander)
• Tuesdays 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. (Leah)
• Wednesdays 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Culla)
• Thursdays 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. (Jonathan)
• Fridays 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Deisvergent: Student Affinity Group

Deisvergent is SAS's student-run neurodiversity and neurodivergence affinity group for students who identify with autism, ADHD, or other neurodiversities. New members are encouraged to attend! This is a great opportunity to meet people, share resources, and help shape the group into whatever our community needs it to be.

This group meets weekly on Thursdays 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom.

Yes you can! The SAS Fellows email is SASFellows@brandeis.edu. The Fellows will answer your emails during their office hours in the order they were received. If a SAS Fellow cannot answer your email, they will consult a SAS staff member who will contact you directly.

If your email requires an immediate response, please contact Student Accessibility Support by email or by calling the Academic Services main phone line at (781) 736-3470 to speak with a SAS staff member.

This email account should not be used for emergency purposes. If you have an emergency on the Brandeis University campus, please dial (781) 736-3333. You may also dial 911 to be connected to Emergency Personnel in your respective area.

Please note: The SAS Fellows check this email account when classes are in session, during the Fall and Spring semester. This does not include the Winter or Summer intercession semesters, holidays, weekends, or days classes are canceled due to unforeseen circumstances (i.e., snow storm).

We understand the frustration and the fear around going to talk to someone, and then hearing the words "I do not know".  The SAS Fellows are students, and are able to only answer questions within the boundaries of their training. If during a meeting they cannot answer a question and if that person needs/want additional support from a staff member, the SAS Fellow will send an email with the student and a SAS staff member to "e-connect" them. 

SAS Staff Members and SAS Fellows work closely to support you. We are here and we care about you.