On June 1, Fay Trachtenberg will assume the position of interim director and acting dean of Temple Rome, one of the university’s flagship international campuses and one of the largest and longest-standing study abroad programs in Italy.

Trachtenberg, an educator and lawyer, has worked in Temple’s Office of University Counsel for 14 years. In her role as senior associate counsel, her work has spanned the globe involving the Temple campuses in the United States, Japan and Italy.

“We are so fortunate to have Fay’s diverse skill set during this leadership transition for Temple Rome,” said Temple University Provost Joanne A. Epps, who noted that a search is commencing for a permanent dean. “Fay’s passion for our learning opportunities in Italy is balanced by her experience addressing so many of the essential functions of our university.” 

In recent years, Trachtenberg worked on numerous legal matters of strategic importance at Temple Rome, including the creation of its limited partnership in Italy. In this interim role, she assumes the dean responsibilities currently held by Hilary Link, who is stepping down to become president of Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. 

“It’s been a privilege working with Hilary in recent years to address the needs of our thriving campus in Rome,” Trachtenberg said. “I fell in love with Italy when I studied abroad in high school and college. Those opportunities had a profound effect on me. The fact that I get to be a part of our student’s experience abroad is truly an honor.”

Prior to joining Temple, Trachtenberg practiced employment law for 15 years. She has served as an adjunct professor at both Temple and Rutgers University, specializing in employment discrimination law. 

Trachtenberg also serves on the board of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group and runs the 1L Summer Fellow Program.

Trachtenberg holds a BA in international relations from Mount Holyoke College and a JD from Temple University Beasley School of Law. She studied in Italy at the Barbieri Center in Rome and the Universita Per Stranieri in Perugia.