Admissions and Financial Aid

Contact Us

Office of Admissions
The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Brandeis University
415 South Street (MS 035)
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
Phone: 781-736-3820
Email: helleradmissions@brandeis.edu

Admissions Staff

Lynn Davis

Assistant Dean of Admissions

 • 781-736-2780

Contact me about: Financial Aid questions

Ellen Driscoll

Admissions Counselor

Contact me about: MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence admissions; MS in Global Health Policy and Management admissions

About me: Throughout my professional career, I have worked in college and university admissions at undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. As an undergraduate, I coordinated campus visits for prospective students and families. After receiving my bachelor's degree, I began my career involving all aspects of the admission process. One of the most rewarding opportunities has been meeting prospective students in their hometowns in North and South America, Europe, and Asia and welcoming each to campus. I’m looking forward to welcoming you to my hometown, Boston. It’s a compact city with lots of wonderful neighborhoods, each with its own distinct qualities, characteristics and food. Boston is often referred to as a ‘walking city’ where you experience the city from the original streets in Charlestown and the Boston Waterfront to our newest neighborhood, the Seaport/Fort Point Channel; and it’s only a short 30 minute train ride from Brandeis to North Station.

Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: On a sunny day,  I enjoy walks along Boston Harbor from South Boston, to the Waterfront and to Charlestown. And don’t miss our newest park, the Greenway, which rests atop our tunnel through downtown Boston and connects the North End neighborhood to Quincy Market and the Financial District.

Hannah Locke, Associate Director, Admissions

Hannah Locke

Senior Associate Director of Admissions

 781-736-3923

Contact me about: MA in Sustainable International Development admissions; PhD in Social Policy; Coverdell Fellows program

About me: I've been on the Heller Admissions team since August 2017.  I have a BA in English Literature, Creative Writing, and Art History and a TEFL certificate for Teaching English as a Foreign Language; I'm also currently pursuing an MS in User-Centered Design at the Brandeis Rabb School of Continuing Studies. Before joining Heller, I held a number of roles within International Education and also lived abroad as an English Teacher in the Czech Republic and Italy. I've lived in Boston since 2013 and really enjoy the New England lifestyle. In my free time, I like going on walks with my husband and Mini Aussie, Beacon, in various parks and green spaces around the city and checking out the newest restaurants and cocktail bars.
 
Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: I recommend checking out the various New England islands in warmer weather - Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, MA; Block Island, RI; Deer Isle and North Haven, ME. In winter, try skiing in New Hampshire or cozy up at the Isabella Gardner Museum, Boston Public Library, or the Boston Athenaeum.
Jill Maley, Assistant Director of Admissions

Jill Maley

Associate Director of Admissions

 • 781-736-2647

Contact me about: Master of Public Policy admissions

About me:Education has always been at the center of my career. Prior to joining Heller Admissions in 2019 I worked in several different educational environments and with many different age groups--in fact my work has now spanned from preschool all the way to higher ed! I'm a first-generation college student and a graduate of the Heller School's Conflict Resolution and Coexistence program. One of my favorite things about working in Admissions is that I get to connect with prospective students as they explore what path their learning will take next. In my free time I enjoy teaching and taking dance classes, reading domestic thriller novels, and telling my cats how cute they are. 

Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: The Courtyard Tea Room at the Boston Public Library is a really fun experience, especially if you leave time to wander around the library afterwards.

Graduate Assistants

Jordyn Green, MBA/MPP'25

Jordyn Green, Social Impact MBA/Master of Public Policy'25

About me: I was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland, and I attended the University of Pittsburgh, where I received a degree in Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies with a minor in Nonfiction Writing and a certificate in Nonprofit Management. On campus, I was a tour guide, and absolutely loved it—I loved being the person to help create a welcoming space in a place that I cared about (and I'm lucky that I get to do that work now!). I came to the Heller School looking to grow my practical skills; learning about theories of social change throughout my undergraduate coursework grew my conviction towards doing good in the world, but I didn't quite know how. Throughout my time here, I've started to piece together how my background and interest in queer studies can make me better equipped to engage in creative problem solving in both business and policy spaces, and I've learned the technical and analytical skills required to implement that work. When I'm not on campus, you can find me reading in my hammock, playing pickleball, or attempting to follow women's sports.

Favorite Place in Boston/Waltham: I can't recommend enough an afternoon in Beacon Hill—stop by Beacon Hill Books for a cozy read, Kured for build-your-own-charcuterie, and Covet for an awesome consignment store.

Paige Hemingson

Paige Hemingson, Master of Public Policy'25

About me: A lifelong Texan, I moved to Massachusetts after earning my BA in Environmental Studies with minors in Political Science and Feminist Studies from Southwestern University in 2022. After graduating, I spent time overseas working on a permaculture farm in Monchique, Portugal before I spent a month hiking El Camino de Santiago through Portugal and Spain. When I came home, I knew I wanted to continue my work outdoors, so I joined the Pease Park Conservancy in my hometown of Austin to work with underserved communities and schools to ensure everyone has ample access to nature and environmental education. Here, I was able to work with many different groups of visitors and volunteers, while also working at the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department to gain experience in the realm of green space administration. All these rich experiences culminated in my acceptance to Heller with the goal of gaining the skills and abilities to ensure equitable green space access for all within diverse communities. When I'm not in class or doing homework, you can find me reading, bird watching, and walking along or paddling in the Charles and Neponset river.

Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: Waltham and the surrounding areas have a ton of beautiful parks and green areas! I love fishing and bird watching at Hardy Pond, hiking at Prospect Hill Park, and asking to pet other people's dogs at the Beaver Brook Reservation.

Lal Kumar, MPP'25

Lal Kumar, Master of Public Policy'25

About me: I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2008 and three Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Management Science, and Education Administration Planning and Policy. I have more than thirteen years of work experience in the areas of education, health, climate justice, youth development, and gender equity. Prior to attending Heller, I worked with UNDP as a Project Coordinator for Youth Education; Employment and Empowerment Program. I also worked with World Bank for a Public Private Partnership program through per child subsidy model to promote education in rural areas of Sindh Province. I am especially passionate about the convergence of education, health, climate resilience, and AI policy, and designing integrated implementation strategies to meet the socioeconomic needs of underserved communities. During my time as an admissions GA I am excited to add value in the work and interact with individuals from various parts of the world. In my leisure time, I enjoy listening to books, walking, cooking, and socializing with friends.

Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: Boston has really good walking trails and parks to enjoy in sunny days during summer. I have heard about the interesting museum that I aim to visit soon!

Danielle Lund, MA in Sustainable International Development/MA in Conflict Resolution and Coexistence'24

About me: Born and raised in Longwood, FL, I have lived in the same home my entire life. I went to Stetson University in DeLand, FL, where I received my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I was always interested in politics, but my degree helped me realize how much more there was to learn about the field, and how deeply I wanted to know. I made the decision to leave the only place I had ever called home to attend the Heller School, so I could learn among people from all over the world, whose experiences are directly applicable to the material I study. By attending school here, I am constantly learning from not only my professors, but my peers. Heller is problem-focused and solution-oriented; with my interest being peacebuilding in the MENA region, I knew I could apply this type of approach to my studies. In my free time, you can find me indoor cycling, reading a book by my favorite author (Brené Brown), or searching for unique finds at a thrift store.

Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: The Cambridge Public Library is not only a beautiful study spot, but a great place to attend author meet-and-greets and join book clubs. Fun fact: if you sign up for a library card, you can gain free, or discounted, admission to museums around the city!

Calah McQuarters

Calah McQuarters, Social Impact MBA/Master of Public Policy'24

About me: I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I graduated from Howard University in 2021 with two bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Afro American Studies. Prior to attending Heller, I helped open Greenwood Rising: Black Wall Street History Center, a new museum dedicated to uncovering the history of the Greenwood District and the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. I also served in the consulting space, leading a team to create innovative solutions that addressed barriers hindering civic engagement for immigrants and refugees in the city of Tulsa. As an Afro-Latina, I am especially passionate about providing access and opportunities to underserved black and brown communities. During my time as an admissions GA I am excited to meet individuals from around the world and help them see their place at Heller. In my spare time, I enjoy singing, cooking, and watching true crime documentaries (so if you have any recommendations, send them my way!).

Favorite place in Boston/Waltham: If you’re looking for good food, great drinks, and fun music, Top Mix Bar & Kitchen is the place to go!