Brigitte Ritter

Because it feels like the right thing to do. I was lucky that my parents were very supportive of me pursuing my education, but neither they nor anyone else I knew were in a position to guide me. So I know how confusing and challenging it can be to figure it all out on your own. Looking back on how I got where I am today, there are several people whose willingness to listen helped me find my way. Some I have spoken to once and never seen again, others have become friends, but I am grateful to them all. So I would be honored to have the opportunity to pay it forward and be a positive moment in someone else’s journey.

• First-Generation College and Graduate Professional
• Member of Tri-Alpha National Honor Society
• Gender Identity and Pronouns: female, she.her.hers
• Race, Ethnicity, and/or Nationality: White/Caucasian, German
• Hometown: Quincy, MA
• Languages Spoken: English, German
• Business/Industry of Interest: Business, Health, Science, Social Sciences
• Personal Facts/ Hobbies/ Interests: I was a late addition to my family and grew up fending off the practical jokes and teasing by my brother and cousin, who both are 14 years older than me. I am also the only one who went into the biological/biomedical field – amidst carpenters, cleaners, mechanics, precision mechanics, customs officers, and administrators – and at family gatherings, I brace the inevitable question “So what is it you are doing now?” with a mix of appreciation and despair. My recent change from research to educational management hasn’t much helped matters either. On the other hand, my career change has prompted me to go back to school (and my first schooling in the US system), taking advantage of evening classes at BU to complete graduate certificates while working full time in the Graduate Medical Sciences office as the Director for Analytics & Admissions at BUSM – it sure is a challenge and a blast.Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for hobbies at the moment. I love to read (who-dunnit stories are great, a historical twist appreciated) though these days it’s more books on business analytics and management/leadership skills. I also love to watch movies and confess I much prefer movies that aim to entertain over deep thinkers (e.g., I am partial to the Marvel universe and get stuck watching TV each time I come across a re-run of Alien or Jaws). When I have time, I like to bake and don’t mind to occasionally cook but I loathe cleaning up afterwards so my kitchen is often a bit (or more) of a mess. There is one advantage to all of my family living in Europe, though – no surprise visits (supplemented with complaints about my kitchen) from my mom :-). I also have an interest in photography and drawing, and oh, I nearly forgot, I lived in Montreal, Canada for 10 years during my postdoctoral training before coming to the US. I managed to muddle my way through despite not speaking French but for my taste, I have seen enough snow to last a life time. My secret life goal is to one day live somewhere with a palm tree in the yard.
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