Michael Bryant

The 2024-2025 academic year in Bloomington was my first one in a while, and I was thrilled to be back in the place that I've long considered my home. In May I accepted the role of Director of Student Academic Support in the College's Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. My days are characterized by a dizzying (but fascinating!) blend of policy-related decisions, work on strategic initiatives, meetings with students and faculty, and all manners of complicated student issues. I never dreamed that I'd be on "this side" of the academic community, and I truly miss the scholarship and the teaching that I enjoyed in the Department of Germanic Studies, but I'm grateful to still be able to attend departmental events and catch up with old friends and colleagues. The camaraderie that I experienced as a graduate student remains unmatched, and I'm forever thankful for the professional preparation that life in our department gave me.