As Brandeis goes through numerous changes over the years — whether in its infrastructure, its administration or its student body — certain truths about the character of the University remain the same. One of those truths is that its academics comprise a diverse collection of talented and dedicated instructors who teach classes that change our lives indelibly.

Talia Sherman: Majors in linguistics and comparative literature

1. “Critique of Erotic Reason” with Prof. Stephen Dowden (GER/ECS)

“I took this class out of mere curiosity, expecting to enjoy some unique new reads, but instead was left with my entire academic world turned upside down. Professor Dowden's insights, questions, and pushback opened the door to a side of beauty and meaning in literature that had been previously shrouded at times. More than appreciating the individual texts (at their least impactful, a unique read, at most life-altering) I learned how to think.”

1. Modern Arab-Jewish Thought with Prof. Yuval Evri (NEJS)

“This course, when I took it, was made up of five students and met once a week for four hours to discuss racial politics in the Middle East. Professor Yuval Evri accomplished the monstrous feat of making this one of the highlights of my week. We were introduced to fascinating, unique materials I never would've encountered otherwise, and furthermore were encouraged to interact with them. Truly a fountain of knowledge, Professor Evri equipped me with tools and ideas that have helped me to feel more stable and prepared in moving throughout the world today. “

1. Typology with Prof. Lotus Goldberg (LING)

“This course offered the unique experience of getting to spend an entire semester working with the grammar of a language of one's own choice and producing write-ups on notable features. Approaching the entire concept of Grammar in this way allowed us to develop an understanding of what traits are cross-linguistically unique, and why! Professor Goldberg's enthusiasm for both the material and the well-being of her students made this class easily one of the most positive, growth-geared academic environments that was a pleasure to participate in.”

Amanda Chen: Major in Politics. Minors in economics and Asian-American Pacific Islander studies

1. 20th Century and Contemporary Latin American Art with Prof. Camila Maroja (FA)

“It was my first art history class, and it was so fascinating! The professor was really engaging and fostered great class discussions.”

2. Legacies of the Korean War with Prof. Yuri Doolan (HIST/WGS)

“I didn’t really know anything about the topic beforehand, and this class taught me a lot. Doolan cares about his students, and I looked forward to his classes every week.”

Rosemary Wampole: Majors in comparative literature and European cultural studies. Minors in German studies and history of ideas

1. European Modernism Proseminar with Prof. Stephen Dowden (GECS)

“I took this class my freshman year fall semester and it completely changed my life. Not only was it the first time I was able to engage in a collective, academic setting with some of the philosophers and poets I had spent high school privately obsessing over, but Professor Dowden's completely unique, idiosyncratic outlook and personality instantly captured me and had me taking (and finally TAing) his seminars every semester for the following four years. I really can't speak highly enough of the experience -- it fundamentally transformed the way I read and think forever.”

2. Spinoza Now with Prof. Eugene Sheppard (NEJS)

“Being able to spend an entire semester tackling a single text, and especially one as rewarding as Spinoza's Ethics, was some of the most productive and memorable intellectual work I did at Brandeis. Professor Sheppard is such a kind soul and one really couldn't ask for a better guide through the philosophical journey that Deleuze once called ‘a river’ -- pick up your oar and row!”

3. World Culture and Marxism with Prof. Pu Wang (CHIN)

“Having a professor on this campus who takes the intellectual and historical-practical tradition of Marxism seriously, and knows it as inside-and-out as Professor Wang, is a privilege that I am so grateful for having experienced. This class was the germination point for some wonderful friendships and comradeships that I can confidently say got important stuff done in my last year at Brandeis.”

4. Deviancy and Nonconformity in Premodern Europe with Prof. Govind Sreenivasan (HIST)

“In this class Professor Sreenivasan forced me for the first time not only to really read history (constantly assigning fascinating primary source documents) but to really interpret and discuss it for myself, something that I can say was not only intellectually invaluable, but great fun.”

Mina Rowland: Independent interdisciplinary major in multimedia storytelling. Minor in African and African American studies.

1. Screenwriting Workshop: Writing and Producing a Short Film with Prof. Paloma Valenzuela (ENG)

“Miss Valenzuela has been such a light and inspiration to me — I took her class my freshman year and it was the first time I saw a young woman of color command a classroom in college. She was not only very hip and talented but she treated us all with respect for our creativity and ideas and allowed me to find joy in screenwriting. Taking her class sparked my interest in short film and led me to incorporate film into my concentrations for my IIM. She is so profound as a professor, so encouraging and supportive and we still stay connected! She recently went on tour around Boston screening her documentary ‘The Seltzer Factor’. I am so happy our paths crossed and that I can say that is my Professor!”

2. Critical Race Theory and Education with Prof. Tanishia Williams (LGLS)

“Prof. Williams brings the energy — my sister convinced me to transfer into her class and I am so glad I did. She has such an Auntie vibe — not only is she highly educated and melanated but she remains true to her authentic self. She not only has real conversations about politics and the state of education but also balances them with humor and grace. I am so honored that I had the opportunity to have her as a professor during her time as a Florence Kay Fellow and it is so serendipitous that she is concluding her fellowship as I graduate. She literally gave a TED talk about standardized testing! I am super excited to see what she continues to do in the field of education, social policy and carceral justice.!”

3. Poetry Workshop: Special Topics with Prof. Porsha Olayiwola (ENG) 

“Porsha O is just magical and she was the Boston Poet Laureate when I took her class. I literally remember being in high school and watching her perform on button poetry so it was surreal to be in her class taking my first poetry workshop. The class was small - as creative workshops are, and it meant that we fostered belonging and a sense of closeness not present in other classes. Porsha (who allows students to address her as such) helped me find my voice as a poet and build my confidence in revision, recitation and generally finding inspiration. For me the most impactful aspect was that she held space for all of us, our pain and our joy especially being a young Black woman. She also left recently and is now at Emerson - nevertheless I am so glad I had a chance to take a class with her. Go check out her collection, ‘i shimmer sometimes, too’!”

Mirabell Rowland: Major in film, television, and interactive media. Minors in education and journalism.

1. The Art of Engaging Audiences with Adriana Lacy (JOUR)

“This class allowed me to experiment with different styles of storytelling and particularly learn about podcasting and engaging audiences through different platforms. I produced The Voices of Change podcast and the most memorable interview was with an amazing band, Aint Afraid, a Black Muslim twin girl band! Adriana's commitment to watching her students succeed stood out to me and I was glad to learn from her!”

2. Creative Pedagogy with Jennifer Cleary (THA)

“This class was the most fun and engaging education class I've ever taken. This was a direct connection of using creativity and nonconventional styles to discuss pedagogy and educational styles, and brainstorm ways to make changes in the classroom and outside the classroom.”

Tara Mohan: Majors in anthropology and women's, gender, and sexuality studies. Minors in South Asian studies and social justice and social policy.

1. “Revolution, Religion, and Terror: Postcolonial Histories” with Prof. Avinash Singh (IGS/HIS/SAS)

“Taking this class completely flipped my view on South Asian history and everything I had learned growing up in India. As someone from a partition family, learning about how the diversity in my family came to be and the resilience of my native community was empowering and stimulating! It sparked my interest in caste and its intersecting oppressions, something that I wish to carry forward in my career in public health!”

Emilia Brandimarte: Major film, television, and interactive media studies. Minor in sexuality and queer studies.

1. Power and Powerlessness in Jewish History with Prof. Eugene Sheppard (NEJS)

“I took this class this semester, and it seemed fitting to bookend my Brandeis experience with a NEJS class. This was my first NEJS class ever, and as a gentile, I feel like I was thrown into the deep end in the best way possible. Professor Sheppard is incredibly affable and encouraging, and I was pleasantly surprised to receive a perspective that was critical of Zionism and genuinely interested in interrogating the historical roots of the ideology. I yearn for more classes on religious studies, so I hope this won't be my last academic experience with this topic.”

2. Italian Films Italian Histories with former Prof. Alice Kelikian

“Anyone who has ever taken an Alice Kelikian class knows why I mention it here. Sure, Professor Kelikian doesn't spend much class time talking about the films on the syllabus, but you will learn about hitchhiking in Mexico, smuggling arms, and an innumerable amount of personal anecdotes that make her classes a truly one of a kind experience. Meeting Professor Kelikian was an extremely crucial element to my time as an undergrad, so it's crazy to think that she is now retired and I was one of the last students to experience one of her classes.”

3. Hollywood and American Culture with Prof. Thomas Doherty (AMST)

“I took this class my very first semester at Brandeis. Once, when I was too shy to ask a question in class, I went home and read the Wikipedia page on the 1930s Hollywood Production Code, where one of Professor Doherty's articles was cited as a source. As a freshman I was starstruck, and I still am when I stumble across his Hollywood Reporter articles from time to time. You can tell that Professor Doherty prides himself on being ‘politically incorrect,’ but I do really appreciate his attitude as a part of the academic old guard, and it also means that we spend a class day on the academic field of porn studies!”

Riley Byers: Majors in computer science and psychology. Minor in creative writing. 

1. Perception: Human Animal and Machine with Prof. Robert Sekuler (NEUR)

“Sekuler is really interested in the subject [matter] and teaching it in a fascinating way. Because it was about perception it changed my relationship to the world. It’s hard to think about anything without thinking about the visual realm and all of its nuances.”

2. Essay as Form with Prof. Stephen Dowden (GER/ECS)

“I had positive pressure to write & produce complete pieces. Not in a style I had previously developed, but rather it made me consider what writing could be if it could be anything it wanted. Importantly, I felt like I could be a part of something that didn’t have to be larger than it was. Dowden is such a supportive and warm presence and his classes always catch me off guard in how much they change the way I think, particularly in my relationship with language.”

The class of 2025’s appreciation for its professors and academic experiences speaks for itself. With this list, they move forward in their lives and careers, passing down recommendations to future Brandeis graduates. But more than this, they share their admiration and gratitude for those that supported them academically and beyond.

— Editor’s Note: Justice associate editor Amanda Chen ’25 was interviewed for this article and did not further contribute to or edit this article.

— Editor’s Note: Justice associate editor Mina Rowland ’25 was interviewed for this article and did not further contribute to or edit this article.