Admissions TeamContact
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Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid Michael J. Quinn
Michael J. "Mike" Quinn, Ph.D. was appointed Vice President for Admissions and Financial Aid in June 2023. Quinn holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership for Changing Populations from Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore. Mike earned a B.A. in English from the State University of New York College at Buffalo, and an M.A. in English from the State University of New York at Binghamton.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office of Admissions
admissions@hws.edu
Text: (315) 350-3291
Voice: (315) 781-3622
or (800) 852-2256As the Colleges' lead for admissions and financial aid, he collaborates closely with other members of President Gearan's senior team to create sustainable strategies for enrollment and net revenue growth. Previously, he was the chief enrollment officer at Rockford University in Rockford, Illinois, and at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia. Prior to his career in higher education, Mike served as a communications strategist and writer in the advertising, technology and nonprofit sectors.
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Director of Admissions Steven Simons
Phone: (315) 781-4836
Steven was born and raised in Wilmington, Del., and graduated from UCLA, where he got his start working in admissions as a student. Steven has a master’s degree in leading organizations from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to HWS as the director of admissions, Steven worked for nine years in Pennsylvania, including as dean of enrollment at Juniata College. As director, Steven oversees the admissions process and is passionate about helping students see their path to higher education and all that HWS has to offer. You’ll often find Steven around Geneva, running the trails, out on the lake, trying every restaurant and relaxing at the wineries.
Territories: Western Massachusetts
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Associate Vice President and Director of International Enrollment and Success MARYLYN O'HORA UHNAK
Phone: (315) 781-3750
Text: (315) 290-3623
WeChat: hws_marylynMarylyn joined the HWS Admissions team in 2008 having spent the previous five years in admissions at her alma mater, Wells College. While at HWS, she has taken on multiple roles both within the Admissions Office as well as the Office of the President. Within admissions, her work has included campus visit and event oversight, transfer admission and international student enrollment. Branching between admissions and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, her dynamic position is focused on providing holistic support to international students, from admission all the way to graduation, and beyond.
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Director of Operations Craig Meyers
Phone: (315) 781-3768
Craig Meyers returned to HWS in 2023 after spending two years at PowerSchool, the leading provider of cloud-based K-12 software, as the product operations manager. As the ProdOps manager, Craig successfully launched several new products and features to the market. Before his time with PowerSchool, Craig spent eight years with the Hobart and William Smith Colleges IT and admissions teams. His passion for the Colleges, the community and Geneva have led him back to serve in this role. Craig and the operations team are responsible for the success of admissions communications, data management, business workflows and technology systems.
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Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Director of Transfer Admissions
Melanie N. Sage ’95, P’25, P’27
Phone: (315) 781-4499
Text: (315) 290-3337Melanie grew up in the Finger Lakes and attended Geneva High School. She was a first-generation college student at HWS in the mid-1990s, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1995 with a bachelor of arts in women’s studies. After working for two years in HWS Admissions, Melanie relocated to New England, where she spent the next two decades at a variety of independent secondary schools and colleges. She has worked in advancement, executive and marketing communications, alumni/ae and parent relations, and as a freelance writer with a focus on education. Melanie recently returned to the Finger Lakes and to HWS and is the proud mom of Annabel (HWS Class of 2025) and Rupert (HWS Class of 2027).
Territories: Transfer Students, New Hampshire, and Finger Lakes and Central New York.
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Senior Associate Director of Admissions Sue Willard '99
Phone: (315) 781-3865
Text: (315) 325-9003Sue earned a bachelor's degree in history from William Smith College in 1999 and completed the education program. After earning a master's degree in history and serving as a graduate assistant soccer coach at Washington College, she returned to William Smith as assistant coach for the Herons in 2001. From there, Sue went on to coach soccer at both the NCAA Division I and III levels, before rejoining HWS in the Office of Admissions. In 2024, she was inducted into the William Smith Athletics Heron Hall of Honor.
Territories: Colorado, Connecticut (Fairfield County), Idaho, Montana, New York (Rochester and Westchester County) and Wyoming.
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SENIOR Associate Director of Admissions Kate Beyer '07
Phone: (207) 577-3821
Text: (315) 828-0965Kate graduated from William Smith in 2007 with a bachelor of arts degree in individual studies - Diversity in the Workplace. Following graduation, Kate was the first AmeriCorps VISTA member at HWS, serving with the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. She later worked at Massachusetts Campus Compact, where she was the coordinator of student initiatives. Kate returned to HWS in 2012. In her free time, Kate loves to spend time outside with her husband (also a HWS grad), daughter, and their dog Bella. She loves to cook, read, and visit local breweries.
Territories: Worcester and Boston areas and Eastern Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island.
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Associate Director of Admissions for International Recruitment Dylan George
Text: (315) 828-0752
Dylan graduated from SUNY Brockport with a degree in English. As a student, he studied abroad in New Zealand and discovered his passion for international education and working with diverse populations of students. Before joining HWS, Dylan worked on international admissions, recruitment and student services at Brockport's Center for Global Education and Engagement. He also worked in recruitment at Simon Business School at the University of Rochester.
Territories: International Students
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Associate Director of Admissions Julie Washington P'24
Phone: (973) 658-6292
Text: (315) 325-9044Julie is passionate about the value of a liberal arts education and helping students navigate the college admission process. She is a first generation college graduate, originally from Indiana with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master's degree in Higher Education. Julie has served at both the national and regional levels on many higher education executive boards and committees as well as presented on various topics at education conferences nationwide. She remains committed to advocating for access, diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. Julie loves cheering on her children and favorite sports teams but especially enjoys basketball, given her Hoosier roots!
Territories: New Jersey, Delaware Valley, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley).
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Assistant Director of Admissions and Admissions Data Analyst Michael Devaney '21
Phone: (315) 781-4746
Michael graduated from Hobart and William Smith in 2021 with a double major in Economics and Mathematics. He now works as part of the Operations team, where he manages the CRM Slate and supports the overall admissions process.
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Assistant Director of Admissions CommunicationsZachary Levanduski
Phone: (315) 781-4603
Zachary joined the HWS Admissions team at the end of 2024 after spending the previous two years with the HWS Communications team. In that role, he developed and delivered internal and external communications distributed to the HWS community and collaborated on special assignments, including the Bicentennial Gala, Commencement and Reunion. In his current role, Zachary oversees admissions communication and supports the efforts of the operations team. He holds a BA in Communications focusing on communication theory from Cazenovia College.
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Assistant Director of Admissions for Visitor Relations Gaby Nieves '23
Phone: (315) 781-3737
Gaby graduated summa cum laude from Hobart and William Smith in 2023 with a double major in sociology and theatre and a minor in psychology. During her time at HWS, she performed in six theatrical productions and worked two on-campus jobs, one in the William Smith Deans' Office and another as a sociology teaching fellow. She was the president of Phoenix Players, the student-run theatre club, and was accepted into Phi Beta Kappa and Psi Chi. Gaby studied abroad in Valparaíso, Chile for a full semester and did a 3-week program in Bali, Indonesia. Originally from Staten Island, N.Y., she regularly returns to visit her Nicaraguan and Puerto Rican family.
Territories: New York (Brooklyn and Staten Island)
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Assistant Director of Admissions Grace Petry
Phone: (315) 781-4782
Text: (315) 828-0841Grace was raised in Long Island, N.Y., and recently moved upstate to Geneva. Grace graduated with her Master’s in Higher Education from the University at Albany in four years. She volunteered as a peer advisor in the advising center during her sophomore, junior and senior years, and was a member of the AOA club and the Outdoors club. In 2021 she became a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Grace has three dogs and enjoys cooking, running, hiking and watching true crime shows in her spare time. She looks forward to learning and experiencing everything HWS has to offer.
Territories: Alaska, American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Minnesota and New York (Long Island, Albany, St. Lawrence Valley and Adirondacks).
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Assistant Director of Admissions Hannah Rolfe '21
Phone: (315) 781-3152
Text: (315) 325-9036Hannah is a native of the Finger Lakes region and graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2021. While at HWS, Hannah double majored in history and American studies. Aside from academics, Hannah served as an O’Laughlin Ambassador and Senior Intern for the Office of Admissions, a Global Ambassador for the Center for Global Education, and a Reunion Red Shirt for Alumni and Alumnae Relations. She was a member of the William Smith Laurel Society and HWS Leads Program. Following graduation, Hannah traveled abroad to complete a Master of Arts in history from the University of Galway in Ireland. Outside of work Hannah enjoys playing with her dogs, hiking, baking, reading, water sports and spending time in the Thousand Islands.
Territories: California, District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.
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Assistant Director of Admissions Lindsay Sharman
Phone: (315) 781-4089
Text: (315) 325-2181Lindsay joins the admissions team after leading the William Smith basketball program for 19 years. With a passion for access, Lindsay also served as co-chair of the HWS Athletics DEI Sustained Dialogue Team and represented the department on the campus-wide CODEI Committee for three years. Before joining HWS, Lindsay worked for ANC Sports Enterprises where she worked with various sports teams and businesses in the Boston area as a sales and marketing associate. A graduate of Kalamazoo College, Lindsay earned a bachelor’s degree in human development and social relations. She also spent a semester studying Mexican history, language, art, and culture at Universidad Autonoma Benito Juarez de Oaxaca. In her free time, Lindsay loves spending time with her husband and two children, and can usually be found at various sporting events around campus or on the golf course.
Territories: Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Utah, Wisconsin and New York (Buffalo Area, Hudson Valley, Catskills, Southern Tier and Rockland County).
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Assistant Director of Admissions Gib Shea '22
Phone: (315) 781-3941
Text: (315) 563-2775Gib is a native of Weston, Conn., and hails from a family of Statesmen and Heron alums. At HWS, Gib was a member of the HWS Leadership cohort and served as class president and a student trustee. He also participated in the sports medicine program and interned in the offices of the President, Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. Gib is an active volunteer firefighter and EMT in his hometown and here with the City of Geneva. He enjoys skiing and running and has a love/hate relationship with the game of golf.
Territories: Connecticut (except Fairfield County), New York (Manhattan, Bronx and Queens) and Vermont.
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Assistant Director of Admissions Julia Sollenne
Phone: (315) 781-4538
Text: (315) 563-2749Julia is a native of Geneva, N.Y., and has lived in the area for most of her life. She graduated from St. John Fisher University in 2019 where she majored in English with an Interdisciplinary Studies minor focused in Education and Psychology. As an undergraduate, she worked on the campus literary magazine where she was a fiction editor and participated in other campus clubs. Julia worked at Geneva High School as a substitute teacher for three years before joining the admissions staff at HWS in 2023. She loves the Geneva community and is excited to welcome students to it. Julia enjoys writing, listening to music, cooking and spending time with her family and friends.
Territories: New York (Genessee Valley and Southern Tier), Pennsylvania (Northeast, North Central, Northwestern, Southern, Allegheny County and Southwestern), Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.
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Admissions Operational Project ManagerMadison Kaenzig De Denus '22
Madison grew up in Geneva, N.Y., and graduated summa cum laude from William Smith College in 2022. While at HWS, Madison majored in Sociology and minored in Entrepreneurial Studies. Madison was elected to Phi Beta Kappa as a senior and served as both an O’Laughlin Admissions Ambassador and a Global Ambassador for the Center for Global Education. While studying at the Colleges, she was very involved with the William Smith PLEN (Public Leadership Education Network) program, attending the events on campus and the PLEN Global Policy seminar in Washington, D.C. She also enjoyed playing with the William Smith Club Soccer team and working on projects through the Bozzuto Center for Entrepreneurship. Madison studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark where she enjoyed learning about Danish culture through her immersion experience there as a student and while taking Danish cooking classes.
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Financial Aid
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Director of Financial Aid Lisa Hoskey
Phone: (315) 781-3315
Lisa Hoskey is a highly experienced financial aid professional, currently serving as the Director of Financial Aid at Hobart and William Smith. With a career spanning roles such as Senior Director of Financial Aid at the University of Virginia School of Law, Bursar at Cayuga Community College, and Director of Student Financial Services at Ithaca College, Lisa has demonstrated expertise in financial aid counseling and administration, program coordination and regulatory compliance. Lisa is passionate about improving student service and providing access to the transformational power of higher education. Beyond her extensive certifications and involvement in organizations like NASFAA, Lisa is a dedicated student advocate.
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Assistant Director of Financial Aid Hannah Snyder
Phone: (315) 781-3875
Hannah joined the HWS Enrollment Management team in 2017. Prior to that she was a project manager in the financial services and aerospace corporate sectors in New York City and Silicon Valley. While at HWS, she has taken on multiple roles in the Office of Financial Aid, as the Posse, HEOP and Farash liaison, in addition to her Assistant Director duties. Her position is focused on providing financial aid counseling and support to all aided students, from admission through to graduation. In 2019 Hannah was nominated by HEOP students, and received an award from the HEOP Office, as “Most Valuable Staff Member.” Hannah graduated with a BA from Hamilton College.
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Administrative Assistant for VP of Admissions and Financial Aid Diane Tobin
Phone: (315) 781-3622
Diane has served as administrative support in higher education for the past three years. Diane grew up in Greenwich, CT, and after earning her bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from Ithaca College, moved to New York City. She opened a few bars/restaurants on the upper east side and then made a total plot twist and followed her passion into the fitness industry. While working as the general manager of a health club, she met her husband, and together they have been raising their five children in Montclair, NJ. Their son, Wyatt (HWS ’26), is a Stateman and plays football. Most weekends, Diane and her dog, Mabel, can be found commuting to Montclair to be with her family.
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Admissions Assistant Sharon Elder
Phone: (315) 781-3728
Sharon has worked in the Office of Admissions for the past 30 years. Previously, she held positions in the Office of Advancement and was a faculty secretary in Demarest Hall. She is a graduate of Central City Business Institute and holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Finger Lakes Community College. Sharon is a native Genevan.
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Senior Interns
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Senior Intern Zoe Aracena '25
Major/Minor: Sociology, Educational Studies, Child Advocacy and Writing Colleagues
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Text: 315-563-2761Zoe is a senior, double majoring in Sociology and Education alongside double minors in Child Advocacy and Writing Colleagues Program. In addition to being a Senior Intern, she works as a PLEN Chapter Leader at the Centennial Center, co-chair of Beautiful Minds, an FSEM Mentor, and a Writing Colleague. Zoe went abroad last year to Galway, Ireland and had the opportunity to explore Europe for the first, and hopefully not last, time. Additionally, she completed research with Assistant Professor of Educational Studies Professor Berhanu this summer, where we explored the importance of counterspace for students of color who attend predominantly white institutions. Outside of the classroom, Zoe loves to explore Downtown Geneva with her friends and always makes a mandatory stop by Long Pier Ice Cream.
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Senior Intern Grace Covelli '25
Major/Minor: Economics and Sociology
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Text: 315-670-0607Grace is a senior Economics major with a minor in Sociology who transferred to HWS for the second semester of freshmen year. She is also the President of the UNICEF club and a part of the Theta Phi Alpha Sorority. Her sophomore year she was asked to be part of the Finance Society, which allowed her to network with various alums, attend the NYC Career Trek, and hone her interview skills. Through this opportunity, Grace landed an internship at Bloomberg in NYC this past summer and even got to meet Mike Bloomberg himself. Outside the classroom, Grace loves to cook, go to the gym, and cheer for the Buffalo Bills every Sunday. Grace's favorite aspect of HWS is the amazing relationships she has formed with professors and the large alumni network that has allowed her to learn more about the financial industry.
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Senior Intern Brianna Del Rosario '25
Major/Minor: Writing and Rhetoric, Italian Studies and Media and Society
Hometown: Bronx, N.Y.
Text: 315-828-0905Brianna is a senior Writing and Rhetoric major and Italian Studies and Media and Society double minor. Back in Fall 2022, she studied abroad in Rome, Italy where she fell in love with the country and language. She is a member of the Theta Phi Alpha sorority, Vice President of the UNICEF club, and works the Writing Colleague Internship. As a Writing Colleague/Fellow, you can find her helping students in the Writer’s Nook or around the library. Additionally, she has four cats and loves turkey bacon.
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Senior Intern MICHAEL GILBERT '25
Major/Minor: Environmental Studies, Entrepreneurial Studies and Italian Studies
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Text: 315-325-9051Michael is a senior Environmental Studies major and Entrepreneurial Studies and Italian Studies double minor. He is also a student athlete on the Hobart Rowing team, Assistant to the Center for Global Education, and Co-editor in Chief of the school satire magazine, The Martini. Michael spent a semester abroad in Rome, Italy where he studied sustainable food along with Italian language and culture. He enjoyed his daily walks to school along with stopping for a coffee routinely on the way. His favorite thing about HWS is the relationships he has made whether it be with friends, professors, coaches, and colleagues. In his free time, he often finds himself learning how to cook new meals, playing basketball or tennis, and hiking with his teammates.
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Senior Intern Lauren Legler '25
Major/Minor: Biology and Psychology
Hometown: Montreal, Quebec
Text: 315-563-2757Lauren is a senior double majoring in Biology and Psychology. Outside the classroom, being a proud Canadian, she is passionate about hockey and is the captain of the William Smith Ice Hockey team. This year, she’s also undertaking an independent study with Assistant Professor Belcher of Psychological Sciences, researching and focusing on how cell phones and their distractions affect our daily lives. Lauren’s favorite aspect of HWS is the beautiful campus, the immediate sense of belonging she felt upon her arrival and the lifelong friendships she has made.
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Senior Intern Sean Madden '25
Major/Minor: Sociology and Data Analytics
Hometown: Vienna, Va.
Text: 315-325-8978Sean is a Sociology major and Data Analytics minor from Vienna, VA. Sean is a senior captain on the rowing team which he has been a part of for his whole collegiate career. He rowed through high school at Bishop O'Connell high school in Falls Church, VA. Sean discovered Hobart and William Smith through rowing. Sean fell in love with Hobart and William Smith after visiting campus and experiencing the friendly dynamics between the professors and their students. When not in the classroom or on the water, you can usually find Sean under the hood of a car or watching Formula 1.
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Senior Intern Marissa Mastracco '25
Major/Minor: Biology and Sociology
Hometown: Bethlehem, N.Y.
Text: 315-563-2756Marissa is a senior at HWS, pursuing a double major in Biology and Sociology, and is a member of the William Smith College Hai Timiai Senior Honor Society. She is also a member of the HWS STEM-Scholars program and works as a Biology Department Lead Teaching Fellow. Outside of the classroom, she is a member of the William Smith Women’s Soccer team where she served as a representative for Student-Athletes on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Recently, Marissa returned from a semester studying abroad in South Africa where, among other things, she volunteered with the Makhanda Literacy Collective Project Read Program. She cherished the connections she made and the delicious food she was able to try while abroad. Marissa’s favorite part of HWS is the close-knit community that fosters meaningful connections and support across campus.
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Senior Intern Ryan Pero '25
Major/Minor: Mathematics, Spanish and Hispanic Studies and Bilingual Education
Hometown: Victor, N.Y.
Text: 315-325-8032Ryan is a senior Mathematics major and Spanish and Bilingual Education double minor. He is also a part of the Teacher Education Program, where he will be certified to teach 7-12 Mathematics. Additionally, Ryan is a part of the Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate program (TEFL), which will certify him to teach English abroad. Next year, he will be a part of the Masters in Arts of Teaching (MAT) program at HWS. Ryan studied abroad junior year with the faculty-led semester abroad in Seville, Spain, where he lived with a host mother who spoke only Spanish while teaching the English language at a high school in Seville. Outside the classroom, Ryan loves to ski and is the captain of the Hobart Alpine ski team. He is an HWS Leads Certificate student and a member of the Orange Key, Chimera, and Druids honors societies. Ryan also serves as a Mathematics Teaching Fellow. Ryan’s favorite aspect of HWS is the relationship-rich education where he has had the opportunity to form lifelong relationships with professors, coaches, staff members and students. His all-time favorite food is cheese pizza and bleu cheese from Pontillos (a Rochester classic).
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Senior Intern Abigail Soika '25
Major/Minor: Economics, Environmental Studies, Entrepreneurial Studies
Hometown: Clinton, N.Y.
Text: 315-563-2754Abigail is a senior Economics major and Environmental Studies and Entrepreneurial and Management Studies double minor. She also works for the Office of Communications and Marketing and the HWS Athletic Communications Department. Abigail focuses on the ice hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams. Yes, she was at both Hobart Hockey NCAA National Championships. She is also a Centennial Scholar and will graduate with a degree of leadership distinction. Her little brother, Aiden Soika ’28 attends HWS as well! Abigail chose HWS because of the welcoming community, great programs, and beautiful lake. Abigail also has a family company, Clinton Honey, where they own and operate their apiary.
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Senior Intern TESSA YOHAN '25
Major/Minor: Media and Society, English and Entrepreneurial Studies
Hometown: New Salem, Mass.
Text: 315-563-2755Tessa is a Media and Society major and English and Entrepreneurial Studies double minor. She spent this past summer in Chicago working for a Global Education Companies Communications team. Outside the classroom, Tessa loves to swim and is the captain of the Hobart and William Smith swim and dive team. She is an HWS Leads Certificate student and a member of Hillel and the Kinetic Dance Collective board. Besides being a Senior Intern, she also works as an O’Laughlin Ambassador and a Lifeguard. Tessa's favorite part of HWS is the close-knit community, where she’s built lifelong relationships with professors, coaches, staff, and fellow students.
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