Staff

Meet the Staff: Anna Dobrowolski

Anna Dobrowolski

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Anna Dobrowolski
Student Affairs Administrator
Department of English Language and Literature

What do you like most about your job?

I started out when we were all remote, so connecting with coworkers, faculty members, graduate, and undergraduate students always brightens my day. It’s such a positive, word-loving community. I especially enjoy when students stop by to talk about their projects and goals. We are revamping the “Guilty Pleasures” series, so my office has also become the makeshift confessional for sharing topics we “hate to love” or “love to hate.”  I'm looking forward to those upcoming events.

What was the last good book you read?

It’s a toss-up between a couple of books: Mary Gabriel’s Ninth Street Women, Cervantes’s Don Quixote, and, to round it out, Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I tend to gravitate toward collections of letters or biographies these days.  

You might work with me …

if you have any questions about the English major, the BA project, department course scheduling, or PhD requirements. 

Do you typically set intentions or resolutions for each new year? If so, any you would like to share?

As a chronic goal-setter, at some point I decided to ditch the idea of setting a resolution at the start of the year; it just seemed redundant. I thought it would be better to set goals in October on a random Tuesday. I usually aim to complete a couple of creative projects or learn something new. Currently, I’m learning French on my commute and volunteering more in the artist community. There’s a lot to do in Chicago.

Meet the Staff: Sarah Brock

Sarah Brock

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Sarah Brock
Director of Recruitment
Dean of Students Office

What do you like most about your job?

The best part of my job is connecting with people. Whether that means I'm answering questions from prospective students, learning about faculty research interests, or participating in a lecture or workshop, I like being part of the University community and celebrating it with others.

What was the last good book you read?

Ooh! This is a tough one. I'm an avid reader, I'm not sure that I can pick just one. Recently, I've been into science fiction fantasy. I really enjoyed Nghi Vo's Siren Queen and Tochi Onyebuchi's Goliath. I'm also very much looking forward to R.F. Kuang's Babel.

You might work with me if …

Your work supports prospective students. I believe a successful recruitment strategy touches on everything from the Division's web presence to the way we communicate who we are and what we do. In many ways, my work will intersect with just about every aspect of the Division, so that I can be prepared to answer questions, share resources, and help prospective students truly understand the Humanities at UChicago.

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be? Why?

Hmm, probably I would do something practical like web development. I'm interested in the user experience generally, and I'd love to be able to improve design and engagement online. It would also be a good idea to know how to swim. 

Meet the Staff: Louis Guignard

Louis Guignard

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Louis Guignard
Manager, Human Resources

What do you like most about your job?

I love the opportunity to interact with and learn from diverse professionals

What was the last good book you read?

One of the last good books that I read was Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don't Know by Malcom Gladwell. I also really enjoyed The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by Bell Hooks.

You might work with me if …

...you need assistance with or have questions about payroll processes and inquiries, recruiting and talent acquisition efforts, or student employment, as well as student and staff onboarding.

What are you most excited about this year?

I'm most excited about getting acclimated to and exploring Chicagoland and all of the culture and food that it has to offer before it gets too cold!

Meet the Staff: Russell Pagano

Russell Pagano

More than 100 staff members work in the Division of the Humanities. We’ll introduce you to our staff in this continuing series.

Russell Pagano
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Development;
Division of the Humanities

What do you like most about your job?

I am honored to play a role in maintaining and growing the financial support available to students and faculty in their pursuit of expanding the collective knowledge of the Division and the University at large.

What was the last good book you read?

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, a historical fiction novel that follows the lives of two identical twin sisters and their experiences with racism and colorism from the 1940s to 1990s. I recommend that you read it before the upcoming HBO series, with executive producer Issa Rae, comes out!

You might work with me if …

You receive philanthropic funds that support your work or are involved in projects or events that are of interest to our donors and community.

What do you like best about the holiday season?

I like spending extended, uninterrupted quality time with family and friends. And pie. I really love pie.

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