Stephanie Malak

Stephanie joined the Beyond Barnard team as the Senior Associate Director of Internship Programs and Special Initiatives in August 2023. Her work supports students pursuing academic research and professional internship opportunities as they discover what excites them most about the world across STEM, social sciences, and humanities.

She completed her PhD in Latin American literature at UT-Austin where she taught Spanish language and Latin American literature. Since then, she’s worked in editorial and advocacy capacities at the University of Texas Press, the Los Angeles Review of Books, Spark Admissions, and the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses. She serves as the translations editor at The Common magazine and developmental editor with Ideas on Fire. When she is not supporting others’ work and words, she writes about books, camps in national parks, and makes Orville Redenbacher stovetop popcorn.

Stephanie has lived in the Midwest, Atlanta, Madrid, Austin, Los Angeles, Upstate NY, and now Brooklyn. Barnard’s campus is quickly becoming a new favorite residence too. 

What is a challenge that you’ve overcome in your career?

My greatest career challenge? Facing and accepting uncertainty. It’s uncomfortable, disorienting, and can feel raw and looming. There’s no magic mechanism to true your compass. For me, finding my way through academia, publishing, and advocacy has taught me that, at my core, I love serving in a support role, regardless of the environment. Here at Barnard, my greatest joy is coaching students through decisions – big and small – to help them trace the contours of their interests, challenges, and happiness. Wayfinding can be tricky, but it’s taught me what really brings me joy. For me, Barnard is a joyful place.

What is special about working at Beyond Barnard?

I am  thrilled to be part of a women’s college where I get to practice values I hold very dear: equity, empathy, and intellectual discovery.