About Carol Richman Saivetz

Brandeis University recognizes the Richman Family for their contributions to this institution, and in particular, their establishment of the Richman Distinguished Fellow in Public Life. The Richman Family includes University Fellows Fred and Rita Richman, Trustee Carol Richman Saivetz ’69, James Richman, Michael Saivetz ’97, and Aliza Saivetz Glasser ’01.

Carol is an esteemed member of the Board of Trustees, where she has held a leadership position for nearly 30 years. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in politics from Brandeis, she obtained her PhD from Columbia University. Carol is an expert in her field, currently serving as a senior advisor at the Security Studies Program at MIT, and a research associate at both the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard and the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. Her research interest is in energy competition in and around the Black Sea region, and her most recent publications analyze newly resurgent Russian policies, including U.S.-Russian relations during the Trump presidency.

Carol’s children, Michael and Aliza, also remain dedicated to their alma mater.

Michael graduated with his bachelor’s degree in economics and politics, and actively participates within the alumni network. Michael is COO of the Richloom Fabrics Group, a company founded by family patriarch, Fred. Started as a small family run supplier of home fabrics, Richloom has grown into a multi-faceted global firm supplying home textiles to many different industries. Currently, Richloom is led by CEO James Richman (Fred’s son).

Aliza graduated with a degree in history and received her master’s degree at NYU. She is a museum educator and has worked with several sites on Boston’s Freedom Trail and Historic New England.

In addition to the Richman Distinguished Fellow in Public Life, the Richman family has established a number of scholarships at Brandeis to support students pursuing an education, as well as the Fred and Rita Richman Distinguished Professorship in Politics and Economics to attract and retain highly regarded faculty members in the field.