Leora (Neter) Brovman

Leora (Neter) Brovman

Dr Leora Brovman (recently retired) as Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Graduate Student Affairs at Columbia University’s Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. Leora served as a prefect in her matric year and was captain of the hockey team. After matriculating Leora went on to earn her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of the Witwatersrand. In 1977 Leora left South Africa to pursue her Master’s in Social Work at Columbia University’s School of Social Work, and from 1979 through 1982 she completed her Doctorate in Education, from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

Leora began her professional career as an Assistant Dean for Students at Columbia College, Columbia University, where she worked from 1982 through 1989. Leora then spent several years working in the Jewish Community with the Jewish Federation of Bergen County and with the Council for Jewish Federations, working with the Soviet Resettlement program. During this time she assisted more than 100 Jewish families with their resettlement.
After taking off some time to raise her family, Leora returned to the field of education where her true passion lies. From 2004 Leora worked at Columbia University, and for the past 11 years in her position as Senior Associate Dean. Leora managed the academic and social programs for a population of more than 5000 students from all corners of the world, at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Leora enjoys the challenges of working with a diverse population and helping students at all levels of their academic pursuits in the realization of their potential and their dreams.

Leora Brovman grew up in Johannesburg. Her parents came to South Africa in 1957 by way of Lithuania to Palestine before the state of Israel was declared. Leora was just two, a child of survivors. Her parents made their way as immigrants often do, working very hard in different trades, moving from Kensington to Berea and then Highlands North Extension. In 1968 after a miserable term at Waverley Girls High, Leora transferred to King David Linksfield, a move made possible because Leora received a scholarship.

Leora is married, and lived in Teaneck, New Jersey with her husband until her retirement. She currently resides in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. She has three adult children all of whom attended Jewish Day School for most of their education.