Marilyn Seid-Rabinow, former Assistant Director for Language Proficiency at the Graduate Division’s GSI Teaching & Resource Center, passed away on Monday, June 21, 2021. More than 20 years ago, Marilyn created the Language Proficiency Program in the Graduate Division in order to support international GSIs in the development of oral English proficiency for teaching at Berkeley.  In addition to working with GSIs directly, Marilyn was also greatly appreciated by departments, in particular GSAOs, for her responsiveness to departmental hiring needs.

Marilyn was a nationally recognized expert in international Teaching Assistant (ITA) development, and she played a leadership role in the ITA Interest Group of the international professional association Teachers of English as a Second Language (TESOL). She was well respected by peers across the country for her knowledge, impeccable professionalism, and for her generosity and kindness.

The excellence of Marilyn’s work was recognized on campus as well. In 2009 she received the Chancellor’s Outstanding Staff Award. Upon her retirement in 2019, Marilyn was also presented with the Berkeley Citation for the exceptional contributions she made to the campus over many years.

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel to have had Marilyn as our colleague. Her work and her compassion made a difference in the lives of students and colleagues alike, and we will miss her.


Linda von Hoene is the Assistant Dean for Professional Development and the Director of the GSI Teaching and Resource Center in the Graduate Division.