In this newly created position, Sam Caldis partners with Graduate School deans and staff to continue enhancing support for graduate students and programs. His initial projects focus on rolling out the Graduate Student Digital CV, updating the Graduate School Handbook and thinking critically about how Master's and doctoral programs are assessed. “I'm very excited to join in the ongoing efforts of our diverse array of institutional partners - students, faculty and professional staff - to build a better graduate student experience at Brown,” he says.

As a former Brown doctoral student who will receive his PhD in Ancient History in May, Caldis brings a fresh perspective. He notes that “It's one thing to see how the different members of the Graduate School work together, it's another to be part of that team in such a fast-paced environment. Everyone pitches in to make our projects successful.”

Caldis holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin, Greek and Classical Civilizations from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, as well as a Master’s in History from Brown. As a graduate student, he was actively involved in service and administration, having helped lead the History Department’s new TA orientation, participated in the Brown Executive Scholars Training Program and served as a proctor in the Office of the Provost.

His greatest priority for graduate students is to further increase the transparency and dialogue around student outcomes and to help support all graduate students in achieving excellence from their first days at Brown.