Meet the Tam Institute's New Executive Director, Emily Danzig
Emily Danzig (she/her) comes to Emory from Agnes Scott College, where she spent the past four years in the career center managing experiential programs, coaching students, supervising student staff, and building collaborative partnerships. Emily holds a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, where she also worked in student conduct, and she brings additional experience in Jewish communal work coordinating immersive educational programs for American students in Israel. She is excited to support TIJS’s interdisciplinary events and partnerships, and looks forward to working with faculty, staff, and students across Emory. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, creating art, and spending time outdoors with her husband, son, and dog.
When and how did you become interested in a higher education career?
My interest in higher education grew out of a love for experiential education and student development. As a college student, I was an RA and a camp counselor (Camp Ramah in Palmer, MA), and these experiences showed me how impactful intentional programs and community building can be. That’s been a throughline in my career, working with college students on and off of campuses, leading me to a master’s program in Higher Ed and Student Affairs, and approaching higher education work through different functional areas like summer programming, student conduct, and career development.
What attracted you to seek out a position at Emory and the Executive Director role at TIJS?
This role at TIJS felt like a rare chance to reengage with Jewish communal work while continuing to grow within higher ed. I was especially drawn to Tam’s interdisciplinary approach and the opportunity to help create programs that invite folks from all backgrounds and perspectives into Jewish Studies.
What is your educational philosophy?
I enjoy creating opportunities for people to connect ideas and lived experiences, engage meaningfully with one another, and build confidence in navigating the world around them. This is why I love working on college campuses, where there are so many different ways for this to happen!
What are some of your goals for TIJS?
My first goal is to absorb as much as I can to understand the Institute’s faculty, students, programs, partnerships, and priorities! From there, I hope to strengthen the systems and relationships that support TIJS’s work, while finding opportunities to make its scholarship and programming accessible to even broader audiences across Emory and the greater Atlanta community.
What have you enjoyed most about your time at Emory so far?
I’ve really enjoyed meeting people and beginning to understand the many communities and collaborations that make up Emory. I’m still very much in the “everything is new” phase, but getting to know the TIJS staff and faculty has been so exciting.
What small thing always makes your day better?
A funny moment with my son – he’s in the curious, fearless toddler stage, so there are a lot of these!
What other kinds of activities do you enjoy? If you had an extra day in the week, how would you spend that time?
I love a good daytrip! Getting to go on a hike, look at art, try a new restaurant, and then go back home to read or watch a TV show at the end of the day is an ideal day for me.
Published 10/9/26