Undergraduate Affairs News
Message from the Vice Provost
Dear Students,
I am delighted to greet you at the start of the new semester. Welcome to our new students and welcome back to our returning students!
Returners may notice that I am writing to you with a new position under my name, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies. This role is part of the restructuring we undertook at the end of the last academic year. In this position, I now have two broad, primary responsibilities.
First, I work directly with the many academic support offices that we have at Brandeis, all of which are here to ensure that you have the help you need to make the most of your educational opportunities. You can find a list of these offices at this link. Over the course of the coming year I plan to highlight some of these units and the important work they do. I encourage you to take full advantage of the support and enrichment they offer.
The second broad responsibility that comes with my new role is to work closely with the founding deans of our four new schools to ensure that we take full advantage of the opportunities they provide for interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives. We want to facilitate boundary-crossing between these schools to create innovative academic programs. And we want to leverage our broad and deep commitment to the Liberal Arts as the means through which to prepare students for the lives they will lead once they graduate—both on the job and in the world. You will be hearing more about some of these initiatives in the coming year, and I invite you to learn more about some of the new majors we are launching that exemplify this integrated approach, including Communications and Media Studies (CMS), Engineering Sciences, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE), and a BS in Quantitative Economics (QE). The School of Business and Economics has also added a new minor in Finance.
At the start of each academic year I think it is important to remind ourselves of some of our core values, values that must guide us, both inside and outside the classroom and that make the Brandeis experience welcoming and enriching to all:
- Affinity groups can be safe spaces, where those who may feel marginalized or minoritized have room (both physical and mental) to be with one another, to share in their common hopes and fears, and to find ways to support each other
- Classrooms must be brave spaces, where we ask tough questions, challenge our own perspectives and assumptions, leave ourselves open to think and re-think through the issues of the day
- Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab bias, together with racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and other prejudices, are forms of hatred that have no place within the Brandeis community
- Discrimination, bullying, or harassment based on an individual’s religious or national identity is a violation of university policy
- Differences in religious observance, political affiliation, and political views are all matters of personal right
- Discrimination by anyone against students because of their support for Israel or the Palestinians (or for any other political view) is contrary to Brandeis’s ethos and also a policy violation
- Conversations about any of these differences are welcome, even encouraged, so long as they are grounded in the values of belonging and inclusion. Ideas, words, and actions deserve our scrutiny; people deserve our respect
We are fortunate to have many extraordinary faculty at Brandeis, across all departments and programs. Their job is to challenge you, helping you to develop and refine your critical thinking, along with the various methodologies that are the essential tools of the academic disciplines you are studying during your time here. But they are also here—along with the many dedicated administrative and advisory staff—to support you in your efforts. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it!
Speaking of our wonderful faculty, we are delighted to welcome the following new colleagues this year:
- Justin Campbell, Mathematics
- Ilsoo Cho, History/East Asian Studies
- Caleb Cook, Physics
- Beth Derderian, Anthropology/Crown Center for Middle East Studies
- Amanda Faherty, Psychology
- Spyros Garouniatis, Mathematics
- Duane Juang, Engineering Science/Biology
- Amy Kahng, Fine Arts/Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies/Rose Art Museum
- Taehyeong Kim, Mathematics
- Rachel Klein, African and African American Studies/Legal Studies
- Surena Hozoori, Mathematics
- Nicholas Anthony Mancini, Fine Arts
- Troy Luster, Biology
- Elijah Rivera, Computer Science
- Yihan Shao, Chemistry
- Khalil Shikaki, Politics/Crown Center for Middle East Studies
- Kostas Solomos, Computer Science
- Preston Stone, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
- Ayuma Teraoka, Politics
- Hyunjun Yang, Biochemistry
You can read more about the research and teaching interests of these new colleagues here.
Finally, as you embark on this new semester, I want to ask two things of you: First, don’t ignore your own personal needs. Find the time to exercise, to hang out with friends, to eat well, and to take the breaks from work that are so important in maintaining a healthy, balanced life. Second, I want to remind you that lots of learning happens outside of the classroom and at Brandeis we have a wealth of programming offered by our departments, centers, institutes, and other clubs on a whole range of topics. I urge you to take advantage of these rich, multifaceted opportunities, especially those that seem provocative or outside your comfort zone. Be curious and inquisitive. Don’t take anything for granted. That is, after all, why we’re all here!
Wishing you all a rewarding and successful semester.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Shoulson
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies
For previous messages, please see the archive.
Upcoming Deadlines & Events
Academic Updates & Resources
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Have questions about your fall schedule or progress towards your Brandeis degree? We’re here to help! Schedule an advising appointment through the links below or join us for Ask Advising drop-in hours – no appointment necessary! Academic Advising is located in Academic Services, 2nd floor Usdan East.
20-minute academic advising appointments (Zoom)
With academic advisors and Roosevelt Fellows | Available now! | Appointments are posted every Friday for the following week
30-minute academic advising appointments (In-person or Zoom)
With academic advisors | Starting Thursday, September 11 | Appointments are available up to three weeks in advance
Ask Advising tabling in Usdan Lobby
With academic advisors and Roosevelt Fellows | No appointment necessary!
From 12-3 p.m. on:
BUGS peer tutoring will begin for the fall semester during the week of September 8.
BUGS tutoring is free and open to all undergraduates!
In the meantime, BUGS tutors will be in touch with instructors to introduce themselves and arrange a time to visit the class(es) if possible. You can view the most updated list of tutors and courses in which tutoring will be offered here. Questions? Please contact Julia Mani, Director of Peer Academic Support.
The primary goal of Academic Fellowships at Brandeis is to support students’ academic growth and development. The process of applying for a competitive fellowship or research opportunity can help you clarify your goals and set in motion a plan to achieve them. A Fellowship Advisor can help you learn more about which opportunities are a good match for your interests and then guide you through the application process, from developing your initial ideas all the way through writing your proposal or essays and ultimately submitting your application. Academic Fellowships at Brandeis works with students in every class year, from any background, with any GPA, and in any area of interest. Whether you are just beginning your academic journey or already have a specific research project or fellowship application in mind, we look forward to helping you make the most of the available opportunities at Brandeis and beyond!
Fellowships Email List: If you are thinking about applying for a fellowship in the future, or just want to learn more about what opportunities are available, you may wish to sign up for our weekly newsletter, where we share information about particular fellowship opportunities, application tips, deadline reminders, and more. To opt into this list, please email fellowships@brandeis.edu.
Scheduling Appointments: Email Meredith Monaghan directly to set up a remote or in-person appointment.
More Ways to Connect: To keep up-to-date about current opportunities and upcoming deadlines, make sure to follow us on Instagram @brandeisfellowships.
Are you an undergraduate who is interested in conducting research at Brandeis? The Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office is here to help you find a faculty mentor, research topic, research funding, and presentation opportunities. Students can get involved in research in many ways, including as a paid research assistant, through research grants and fellowships, research for course credit and more.
Visit the URCC website to explore your options and sign up for the URCC Newsletter and biweekly mailing for news and updates on research opportunities, events, funding, and programs at Brandeis and beyond.
This fall, English Language Programs is piloting a Course-Embedded Consultant (CEC) program for the University Writing program's Composition Seminar (CSEM). Each participating instructor will be assigned a CEC, a trained undergraduate peer tutor devoted specifically to that instructor’s sections of CSEM. Unlike other tutoring options on campus, CECs will be in close contact with their partner instructors, and they will follow along with course content (assignment prompts and select reading/viewing materials and activities).
This familiarity will allow the CECs to support their CSEM students in all aspects of the writing process, including brainstorming, pre-drafting, outlining and organization, content development, revision, and editing for clarity. All members of participating sections will be eligible to use this service through a mix of set drop-in hours and flexible online or in-person appointments. Excited about the potential of this consultant model, ELP hopes that the pilot program will provide a valuable resource for the CSEM teaching and learning community.
SAS is excited to announce the launch of our Accommodation Toolkit. Within the letter, you’ll see that several accommodations now have hyperlinks which will open the specific article that contains additional information to support implementation. The aim is to provide students and faculty alike with a consistent baseline to work from. Of course, we recognize that no one document can ever answer all questions and so members of SAS are glad to continue to be available.
Please be sure to read through the accommodation letter as well as review the information within the hyperlinks. We’d love to receive feedback from students and faculty, so please share your feedback by completing the Accommodation Toolkit Feedback Form.
As you email your accommodation letters to your professors, please be sure to introduce yourself and identify the class that you are taking with them. As always, please do not hesitate to be in touch with any questions!
English Language Programs serves both native and non-native speakers of English and offers writing and oral skills services to all students, staff, and faculty at Brandeis.
We offer workshops and individual weekly one-on-one tutorial sessions in written and oral skills to both undergraduate and graduate students in the schools of Arts, Humanities and Culture, Science, Engineering and Technology, Business and Economics, and Social Sciences and Social Policy. Students work with the same tutor each week for the whole semester. These services are designed to develop oral communication, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills cumulatively throughout the semester, resulting in optimum progress. We also offer weekly tutorials to postdocs, visiting scholars, staff and faculty upon request, and we can tailor these sessions to your specific needs.
Please complete the ELP Tutor Request Form to request support. Alternatively, you may contact Vino Murugesan, Executive Director of ELP.
Undergraduate students can earn Econ credits by taking our classes in Copenhagen in summer 2026! For more information, see the Brandeis in Copenhagen website.
For emergencies, contact Public Safety at 781-736-3333 (on-campus issues) or 911 (off-campus issues).
For urgent mental health concerns, contact the Brandeis Counseling Center (BCC) at 781-736-3730 (24/7 consultation available).
For student behavior concerns that can wait at least one business day, submit an I Care Form to the Care Team to evaluate and coordinate resources of the university and provide necessary support. Also, please submit an I Care Form after calling Public Safety, 911, or the BCC to ensure follow up for student wellbeing.
Research & Event Highlights
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The Entering Research course module is for both undergraduates who are interested in getting involved in research and students who have recently started a research project at Brandeis. Entering Research supports students through research skills and professional development workshops and guided activities in an interdisciplinary cohort of peers. Entering Research (HWL 32) is offered during Fall 2025 Module 2.
To enroll, add yourself to the course waitlist and your registration will be processed. Students will earn a transcript notation upon successful participation and completion of the module’s requirements.
Interested students can contact Margaret Lynch, the course instructor, for more information.
The Office of Study Abroad is hosting the annual #BrandeisAbroad Day with two Study Abroad Fairs--one STEM-focused Study Abroad Fair in the morning 10am-12pm in the SSC Atrium and a Campus-Wide undergraduate Study Abroad Fair from 2-4pm in Levin Ballroom.
All undergraduate students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend to learn more about study abroad opportunities available to students while at Brandeis. There are credit-earning opportunities for all majors and minors abroad including, but not limited to, courses related to their area of interest, internships, research, language immersion, service learning, among others.
ENACT is hosting Gender Justice and Reproductive Health (GJRH) Week Monday September 15th to Friday September 19th in collaboration with the Women’s Studies Research Center and several Brandeis student groups.
Some highlights:
- A keynote address by Dr. Yvonne Gomez-Carrion, a renowned gynecological surgeon and 2018 recipient of the Massachusetts Medical Society’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Health Award. The event will take place Monday, September 15th, 5:45-7:00 PM in the International Lounge in Usdan.
- A panel discussion with the Bad Old Days Posse, trailblazers who share their stories of seeking reproductive healthcare prior to the passage of Roe v. Wade. The Posse will visit on Tuesday, September 16th, 2:30-4:00pm in the International Lounge in Usdan.
- Hands-on advocacy training with Kyla Speizer, a recent Brandeis alumna and current Operations and Communications Manager at Mass NOW. Learn how to effectively advocate for state legislation that advances gender equity and reproductive justice. Friday September 19th, 1:00 – 2:00pm in the Mandel Forum.
More details on ENACT’s Gender Justice and Reproductive Health Week Events.
Get to know more about your favorite professors! What Matters to Me and Why is an opportunity to hear faculty share about the choices, beliefs, values, and motivations that have shaped their life’s journey. The series will kick off with Dan Perlman, Professor of Environmental Studies on Wednesday, September 17 at 7 p.m. in Skyline Commons.
Light snacks will be served, and the first 20 attendees will receive free boba tea!
Sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Life and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Affairs.
The Provost Undergraduate Research Fund (academic year and senior thesis research expense funding) is available to support Brandeis undergraduate research or creative projects in all disciplines, including the arts, humanities and culture; business and economics; social sciences and social policy, and science, technology and engineering. To be eligible, students are required to have a Brandeis faculty research mentor/PI who will oversee their research project and provide a letter of recommendation. Apply by September 24 at 5 pm ET.
Help researchers better understand how generative AI (“GenAI”) is impacting students at Brandeis and enjoy free refreshments and a chance to win Brandeis swag!
Brandeis researchers are holding interview sessions to learn more about how undergraduate and graduate students are using and experiencing generative AI tools in Brandeis learning environments. Held in private settings, these interview sessions offer a great opportunity for you to share your personal experiences and opinions about how generative AI has impacted your life at Brandeis.
The researchers recognize that generative AI and its use can be a sensitive topic for many. These interview sessions have been granted amnesty from the Office of the Provost; i.e., they are free from any repercussions for students who choose to disclose their use of genAI tools for academic work. Please note that this immunity applies only to the interview session itself and does not extend to academic integrity concerns arising in other contexts (for example, if an instructor has concerns about a student's work based on the content of the assignment).
Who can participate? Anyone 18 years or older who is a current student (undergraduate or graduate) at Brandeis
Time commitment: ~30 minutes, plus time to complete Qualtrics form
Location: Rabb Graduate Center 340 or Zoom
Compensation: All participants will have the option to enter a raffle for Brandeis swag (shirts, mugs, etc.). Free refreshments will be provided at in-person interviews.
Interested?
Review the informed consent form and sign up
Email Scott Moore or Robert Cochran for
more information.
Other Campus News
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Starting September 2, the University Writing Center will be open and offering writing support to all Brandeis students in the form of one-on-one consultations (both in-person and Zoom) and asynchronous document drops. Writers of all levels are welcome to bring whatever academic writing they are working on: from first-year college essays to lab reports, senior theses, dissertations, and personal statements.
The Writing Center's team of trained graduate student consultants offers guidance at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to outlining to revision. Students interested in a consultation may make an appointment online (recommended) or drop in anytime between 9am and 5pm, Monday through Friday.
Faculty, staff, and eligible students: It's time to renew your parking permit! See additional information on the Public Safety website.