Alumni Spotlights are Q&A's with former Brandeis student-athletes, across a myriad of disciplines, as they reflect on their Brandeis experience and how it has shaped their lives today. Read more spotlight features here.
Name: Marissa Lazar '14
Job Title: Project Manager
Organization: New York City Department of Transportation Art Program
Marissa Lazar ’14 served as captain of the women's tennis team as a senior, serving as a doubles specialist throughout her career, and earning one UAA Athlete of the Week honor. She graduated from Brandeis with B.A. degrees in fine arts and anthropology, earning honors in the former.
Lazar went on to receive her masters from NYU in visual arts administration. Since 2017, she has worked on a variety of public arts projects in New York City, including as part of the NYC Department for Cultural Affairs and the Queens Council on Arts. In June of 2018, she started work as a project manager for the NTC Department of Transportation's Art Program, managing temporary art installations throughout the city's public transportation venues in each of the five boroughs.
Describe your overall experience as a student-athlete. What does it mean to you now/what did it mean to you while you were an undergraduate?
Being a student-athlete automatically connects you with a group of people who share the same interests and values. Shortly after I started at Brandeis, the girls on the team became some of my closest friends, providing me with so many memories I still cherish. It also gives you an extra sense of responsibility, not just to yourself, but to your teammates as well. Having your team and coaches around you makes you want to do better, both on the court and off.
How did your time as a student and student-athlete at Brandeis prepare you for your career and life after college?
Being a student-athlete teaches you to balance your time and do so with other people counting on you. You learn the value of teamwork which you need in almost every job you will ever have as well as learn how to work with different types of people. Being a student-athlete teaches you how to deal with pressure and step up when you need to. All of the skills I learned at Brandeis, both as a student and as a student-athlete, prepared me for the different job opportunities and experiences I have had since graduating.
Do you have any advice for current or future Brandeis Student-Athletes?
Enjoy the moments you have with your team and embrace all of the ups and downs. It is not every day that you have a team of people to go through this crazy and fun adventure with you. All the hard work is worth it and it feels great to accomplish achievements as a team.
Do you still keep in touch with any of your former Brandeis teammates?
Yes, of course, many of them! I see those who live in New York regularly and I try to see those living in Boston as often as I can. I still consider them some of my closest friends.
What personal or professional accomplishment(s) are you most proud of since you graduated?
I am fortunate to be working in the field that I have studied and that I am passionate about. I work in the Public Art field in New York City and have the chance to work on projects that affect people’s everyday spaces and bring art into their lives. I am currently a Project Manager at NYC Department of Transportation’s Art Program which commissions and oversees the installation of temporary public artwork on DOT property throughout the five boroughs. I am lucky enough to work with a great team and a wide range of artists who share the same passions as I do. I am also proud to continue my own art practices and keep my creativity flowing as I also design and fabricate my own jewelry line.