Faculty Spotlight Archive

From 2021-2023, the Office of the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences published monthly interviews in the student newsletter with faculty across campus. The Faculty Spotlight collection includes faculty from the Creative Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. While this series has been paused, you can find out more about our faculty and their accomplishments on Faculty in the School of Arts and Sciences.

Adrienne acting on stage alongside a male colleague

September 5, 2023

"I have faith in the next generation of artists. I think we will see a shift towards more community-based work and a broadening and deeper understanding of what is considered ‘excellence’ in the field."

Jeffrey, a white man with grey hair, stands in front of a house with books and backpack

August 15, 2023

"My path to this point in my career has been filled with inspiring teachers, mentors, and colleagues who have all made me want to be better, more thoughtful, more engaged, and most of all, more curious."

Dorothy, a white woman with curly grey hair, stands next to the Brandeis Judge mascot

May 5, 2023

"As I tell everyone, it has been an honor and privilege to serve and lead as dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. Brandeis will always be a part of my heart and I hope to cross paths with many of you in your future journeys."

Rosalind is a white woman with pixie-cut brown hair

April 5, 2023

"The vast majority of those I have interacted with are thoughtful, interesting people who will forever be defined by the worst moment in their lives [...] I am motivated to change this reality, and I want to inspire my students to do the same."

Darlene is a white woman with straight blonde hair and glasses

March 5, 2023

"I love puzzles. I enjoy my work as an archaeologist and historian because taking pieces of an image and trying to see how they fit together or not is very much like working on physical puzzles."

Faith is a Black woman with curly black-brown hair and glasses

February 5, 2023

"We don’t see how the exercise of power in the Caribbean is deeply intertwined with how power is accrued and wielded elsewhere."

Avital is a white woman with straight black-brown hair

October 5, 2022

"I love the curiosity and energy and enthusiasm that Brandeis students bring to our group. They each have great questions and ideas unique to their individual interests and coursework that make us think about our projects in new ways."

Thomas is a white man with curly red hair

September 5, 2022

"I believe undergraduate research experience is valuable because it helps students develop their confidence as mathematicians as well as their independence and ability to break down difficult problems into smaller parts."

Sara is a white woman with wavy brown hair and wears glasses

April 5, 2022

"In the years that I have been at Brandeis, I have seen so many ways that Brandeis students devote themselves to the work of repairing the world."

Grace is an Asian woman with straight black-brown hair

March 5, 2022

"I love working with people who share the principle, support each other, and make a very friendly place where you want to be everyday."

Alexandra Ratzlaff is a white woman with straight brown hair

February 5, 2022

"Through my experiences in the classroom, in CLARC, Techne Group, and with students who join me on archaeological excavations, Brandeis students have proven to be innovative and motivated thinkers."

Sheida is a Middle Eastern woman with curly brown hair

January 5, 2022

"By using visual language to communicate the magnitude of human rights issues in the Greater Middle East, I try to create awareness throughout a range of demographics."

Harry, a bald white man with glasses, examines the model of a violin

October 5, 2021

"The ability to reach beyond the moment we are at in our life’s arc, and identify with those on their own paths, is a great blessing. I feel really fortunate to have had those moments."

Derron is a black man with short, black-brown curly hair

September 5, 2021

"At a point of national and international panic about the limitations of remote learning and the challenges of school re-opening, our research points to the need for greater, sustained collaborations between schools and families to enrich the learning experiences and socio-emotional well-being of students."