Professorial Pastimes
In Spring of 2026, the Office of Undergraduate Affairs in collaboration with Student Union leadership began offering activities for undergraduate students to get to know members of the faculty during the course of each semester. Read about this initative in Brandeis Stories!
Upcoming Events
Activities for Fall 2026 will be shared at the beginning of the semester. Happy summer!
Past Events
April 23, 2026 | 3-6 p.m. | Skyline Commons Kitchen
Join Professor Stephanie Murray and Dean Sara Shostak in the Skyline Kitchen to decorate cookies and cupcakes! We'll bring all kinds of icing, sprinkles, and sparkles and delicious treats ready for your kitchen creativity.
Hosted by: Stephanie Murray, Assistant Professor of Chemistry | Sara Shostak, Academic Dean for the School of Social Sciences and Social Policy
March 24, 2026 | 4:45-6:45 p.m. | Shapiro Campus Center, Room 332
Join Professor Stephanie Murray, Katherine Shulenberger and Brian Michael for a board game night full of strategy and fun! No prior board game experience needed, we will teach you everything you need to know for the game you will play.
Hosted by: Katherine Shulenberger, Assistant Professor of Chemistry | Brian Michael, Lecturer in Chemistry | Stephanie Murray, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
March 6, 2026 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Ridgewood Commons Kitchen
Cook with Xiwen and discover how to transform simple ingredients into quick, flavorful Chinese dishes that are warm, comforting, and impressive in just minutes. Taste authentic Chinese food made fresh right in front of you and explore the flavors and cooking methods of real, everyday Chinese home cooking.
Hosted by: Xiwen Lu, Assistant Professor of Chinese
February 9, 2026 | 3–5 p.m. | ASAC Atrium
Cut, paste, layer, repeat. This collaging session is a relaxed, hands-on space to slow down and make something tactile. Bring a journal or junk journal if you have one, or jump in and create a single collage on mixed-media paper provided. Students are encouraged to bring photos, images, scraps, text, fabric (that old stained sweatshirt), or other bits they’ve been saving “for something.” This is that something. Some supplies will be on hand, but the heart of the session is creating with materials that already matter to you. Space is limited!
Hosted by: Tanishia Williams, Florence Levy Kay Fellow in Racial Justice, Education, and the Carceral State
Photos from Spring 2026
Cupcakes with Stephanie Murray and Susan Shostak
Collaging with Tanishia Williams
Collaging with Tanishia Williams
Cooking with Xiwen Lu
Cooking with Xiwen Lu