GSAS Team
The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office strives to create an intellectually engaging experience for our graduate students. The office interacts with all administrative units that touch graduate students, including Academic Affairs, Student Life, Financial Aid and the Career Center.
Ayanna K. Thomas
Dean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Psychology
(she/her/hers)
As Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Dean Thomas supports all GSAS programs and serves as the liaison between students, faculty, and administration on all aspects of graduate education within the school. This includes key initiatives, such as strengthening the quality and diversity of the graduate student body and integrating career and professional development training into our students’ education. She joined Tufts in 2007 as a faculty member in the Department of Psychology.
Emily Concannon
Associate Director for the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program & Health Professions Advising
(she/her/hers)
As Associate Director for the Post-baccalaureate Premedical Program & Health Professions Advising, Emily provides strategic guidance and advising support for students pursuing careers in healthcare. Emily oversees admissions, programming, and advising initiatives to equip post-baccalaureate premed students with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed for success in medical, dental, veterinary, and other health-related fields.
Lisa B. Fiore
Assistant Dean, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
(she/her)
As Assistant Dean of GSAS, Lisa Fiore is responsible for developing and implementing GSAS student policies and procedures; managing student grievances; designing and overseeing advising strategies; creating and implementing training for our faculty directors of graduate studies (DGSs); managing and providing guidance and strategy to our Graduate Policy & Programs (P&P) Committee and GSAS Executive Committee; and designing strategies and programs to improve student retention. Dean Fiore is also the director of GSAS' post-baccalaureate programs, bringing vision and strategic leadership to programs that center opportunities for students to deepen and extend their knowledge, skills, and relationships in support of their academic and professional development.
Angela Foss
Director of Operations
(she/her/hers)
Angela Foss manages and oversees the general operations of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. In consultation with the Dean and Associate Deans, she is responsible for setting the strategy, assessment plan, and implementation of the GSAS student facing Professional Development program. Additionally, she oversees the coordination of graduate event planning (Matriculation, Hooding, Academic Awards.)
Maura McDonald
Program Manager, Interdisciplinary Studies
(she/her/hers)
Maura manages some of the interdisciplinary programs within GSAS including the Data Analytics, Museum Studies, and Anti-Racist Curatorial Practice programs.
Contact Maura
Gabrielle Otto
Senior Communications Specialist
(she/her/hers)
Gabrielle leads communications efforts for GSAS managing the web presence, social media, and editorial. She also sends out the GSAS Update with weekly events and opportunities for students.
Submit Content to the GSAS Update
Rebecca Petersen
Director of Program Strategy, Development, and Delivery
(she/her/hers)
Rebecca works as part of the GSAS leadership team, closely collaborating with departments on new program ideation as well as supporting departments who are interested in making adjustments to an existing program, whether that means adding a new program track or exploring opportunities to offer hybrid and online formats. Rebecca also coordinates external partnership development, and works with industry on professional track programs.
Felicia Przybyszewski
Assistant Director of GSAS Admissions and Financial Aid
(she/her/hers)
Felicia provides support in designing, developing, and implementing financial aid and admissions procedures in the GSAS Dean's Office.
Contact Felicia
Benjamin Quinn
Senior Administrative Coordinator
(they/them)
Benjamin Quinn is responsible for the administrative support and implementation of the processes and graduate school programming run through the Office of the Dean Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS) including communicating with academic administrative leaders, faculty, and students across the institution. Benjamin coordinates the meetings of the GSAS Executive and Policy and Programs Committees, as well as manages the Graduate Student Research Competition and the Graduate Student Conference Reimbursement Fund.
Tamar Slavitt
Program Manager, Interdisciplinary Programs
(they/them)
As a Program Manager of Interdisciplinary Programs, Tamar is primarily responsible for the management of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Leadership Master of Arts and Certificate programs, as well as for the support of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program. They focus on supporting faculty, current students, and prospective students for these programs as well as providing administrative leadership for other programs offered out of GSAS, including GSAS orientation programs.
Nathan Ward
Faculty Director for Professional Development, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor, Psychology
(he/him)
As Faculty Director for Professional Development, Nate Ward directs the Graduate Research Excellence at Tufts (GREAT) program and spearheads initiatives to enhance the professional growth and career readiness of our graduate students. He creates, implements, and manages new and current programs and resources to support the career trajectories of graduate students, preparing them for successful careers both within and outside academia.