Following the resignation of former President Ron Liebowitz in the fall, Interim President Arthur Levine stepped into leadership at Brandeis University on Nov. 1 2024, and began his first full semester in the role with ambitious plans for the university’s future. Levine, a 1970 Brandeis alumnus with a B.A. in biology, has brought a renewed sense of optimism to campus, outlining key initiatives in a Jan. 23, 2024, email to the university community.
In the email, Levine unveiled a major fundraising campaign aimed at addressing long standing campus priorities, including improving facilities, enhancing academic offerings, and enriching student life. Jordan Tannenbaum ’72 will spearhead the campaign, drawing on his extensive experience in fundraising leadership at institutions such as the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and Georgetown University. Tannenbaum is perhaps best known for his work leading a billion-dollar fundraising effort for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where he oversaw all development activities.
Levine also introduced a proposal to reorganize Brandeis’ academic structure into four broad categories to streamline operations and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The proposed categories are: 1) Arts, Humanities, and Culture 2) Science, Engineering, and Technology 3) Economics and Business 4) Social Sciences and Social Policy.
Levine emphasized that the reorganization is part of a broader effort to position Brandeis as a leader in innovation and academic excellence while maintaining the university’s commitment to its liberal arts foundation.
In his email, Levine expressed his commitment to fostering collaboration and transparency throughout the process of implementing these changes. “I’m looking forward to our conversation, and to charting the future of Brandeis together,” he wrote, underscoring his intention to involve the community at every step. Levine announced plans for a town hall meeting in February to gather feedback and further discuss his proposals, though a specific date has yet to be set.
Levine’s collaborative approach has already been evident during his first weeks as interim president. He reported speaking with “several hundred” students at various campus events, listening to their concerns and aspirations for the university. Among the issues raised were calls for improved campus facilities, expanded mental health resources and more opportunities for interdisciplinary study. Levine has encouraged constructive dialogue, promising to centralize feedback and incorporate it into his administration’s decision-making process.
Levine’s deep ties to Brandeis—both as an alumnus and as a leader with decades of experience in higher education—have resonated with many on campus. Students and faculty alike have expressed cautious optimism about the direction of his interim presidency. As Levine begins, the university faces significant challenges, including aging infrastructure, increasing competition from peer institutions and growing demands for equity and inclusion. However, Levine’s message of optimism and his plans for a collaborative approach have laid the groundwork for meaningful progress. The Brandeis community now waits to see how these initiatives unfold and whether Levine’s vision can guide the university into a new era of growth and innovation.
