Academic Services

Xavier Butler

Pronouns: He/him/his

Class of 2023

Intended field of study: Health, Science, Sociology and Policy (HSSP) and African and African American Studies (AAAS)

What does an inclusive campus look like to you?

Xavier believes an inclusive campus would be a place where things were equitable and everyone regardless of their disability status would have access to the resources needed to earn a degree and get the most out of their Brandeis experience. It would also be a campus that was physically accessible with the structures required to allow all members of the community to navigate Brandeis with ease.

Fun Facts: Originally from Stone Mountain, Georgia Xavier has loved spending the past three years exploring the city of Boston. Outside school, Xavier enjoys camping, hiking, reading, and traveling. Some of his favorite places to visit are national parks and museums. Xavier is a foodie who loves trying new foods at local mom-and-pop restaurants. His perfect day would include relaxing on the couch with a good book and his cats Finn and Sir.

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 2024

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! 

Elana Regan

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Class of 2025

Intended field of study: Politics, Minor in Legal Studies

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

I would tell myself not to be afraid to ask for help. Whether it is an accessibility issue, a hard class, or any other struggle, there are tons of resources available to support students (like SAS, BUGS tutors, the writing center, etc). These resources are there to help you, so don’t be afraid to use them.

Fun fact: I play a sport for the blind called Beep Baseball

Kobi Russell

Pronouns: He/him/his

Class of 2023

Intended field of study: International and Global Studies, Minor in Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation (CAST)

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

Do not be afraid - and do not hesitate - to ask for help! There are so many caring and compassionate people (here at Brandeis and elsewhere) that want to support you and, with multi-faceted support, I genuinely believe that anything is possible!

Fun Fact: I have practiced Kung Fu for 15 years! 

Riley Mayberry

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Class of 2025

Intended field of study: Biology and Health, Science, Sociology and Policy (HSSP), Minor in Chemistry (Premed Track)

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

If I could go back to my first year of college I would tell myself to live in the moment more. I spent so much time preparing for the next few years and not enough time enjoying the time I was spending with the amazing people around me. 

Fun Fact: I climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa when I was 14 and I started my own business when I was 16. 

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 semesters.

Peer Mentoring Drop Ins/Appointments

Usdan Student Center, Top Floor, Academic Services Lobby

Peer Mentoring Drop In's are times for one on one support, including any questions or concerns related to accommodations and accessibility at Brandeis, as well as time management and organization.  Please find the schedule below.  You are welcome to sign up for a meeting with a SAS Fellow using the calendar* or you can drop in during office hours and be helped on a first come, first served basis.

*Please note- if you sign up for an appointment and would like to meet via Zoom, please make a note in the "description" when you click on the SAS Fellow's appointment slot.  Then, the SAS Fellow will add a Zoom meeting link to the calendar invite before the appointment. 

Spring 2023 Office Hour Schedule

Monday

Alexander, 1:30pm - 3:30pm

Xavier, 3pm - 5pm

Tuesday

Riley, 11am - 12pm

Rebekah, 12pm - 2pm

Kobi, 2pm - 4pm

Jonathan, 4pm - 5pm

Wednesday

Xavier, 11am - 12pm

Alexander, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Rebakah, 2:30pm - 4pm

Jonathan, 4pm - 5pm

Thursday

Kobi, 11:30am - 12:30pm

Riley, 1pm - 4pm

Friday

Elana, 1pm - 3pm

Riley, 3pm - 4pm

Evening Assignment Accountability Hours

Time and Location for Spring 2023 semester TBA!

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 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.!

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.

Group meeting time for the Spring 2023 semester: Mondays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm in Shapiro Campus Center, Room 314, or with the option of joining via this Zoom link

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.