Recent Grads
Below are first person stories of life after HWS from recent graduates.
Zara Pyle '23
Current Position: Social Media Manager, Leaders of the 21st Century
Current Location: Albany, NY
Majors: Theatre, Media and Society“I doubt I would have made it through my whirlwind year of graduate school at Syracuse University if it had not been for my education at Hobart and William Smith. Besides “hard skills,” such as strengthening my writing skills and knowledge of editing programs and social media platforms, I also strengthened key “soft skills” like organization, interpersonal skills and time management while at HWS. With the knowledge, relationships and skills I was ready to face graduate school, job searching and the workforce head on.”
rachel meller '21
abdoulaye diallo '23
Current Position:
Associate Broker, Aon
Current Location:
New York, NY
Majors:
Economics"I had a tremendous support system from my coaches to my advisors Instructor of Economics Jennifer Tessendorf and Associate Professor of Theatre Chris Hatch. But Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Director of Opportunity Programs Renee Grant was one person that was in my corner since the day I stepped on campus and was not only a role model but a person I could continuously count on."
bryna gage '22
Current Position:
M.F.A. Candidate in Dance, Sarah Lawrence College
Location:
Bronxville, NY
Majors:
Dance, History"In my graduate program, I engage in a significant amount of independent artistic and academic research that I succeed in thanks to the faculty in both the Dance and History departments. Those faculty pushed me to think critically and analytically."
hannah bilton '22
Current Position:
J.D. Candidate, Suffolk University Law School
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors:
Biology, International Relations, Political Science"I entered HWS unsure of who I was. I had such a specific path I thought I needed to follow but found out that no path is set. I am proud of who I am now and a lot of that is because of HWS."
matt mcnulty '22
Current Position:
Doctor of Medicine Candidate, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Current Location:
Worcester, MA
Majors:
Biology"Close-knit, engaging classes at HWS brought new perspectives to my mind and gave me the confidence to pursue research in biology at HWS, where I found a great sense of community. I’m incredibly grateful for the mentorship I received from Professor of Biology Patricia Mowery and the guidance of Associate Director of Health Professions Counseling and Fellowship Advising Scott MacPhail in Career Services. The continued support I’ve received from HWS after graduating has been essential in preparing for my future."
Elle desjardins '23
Current Position:
Master's Candidate in Architecture, Parsons School of Design, The New School
Current Location:
New York, NY
Majors:
Architectural Studies, Asian Studies"Associate Professor of Asian Studies Jinghao Zhou is by far the most supportive and encouraging person I've had the pleasure of meeting. I'm so grateful for the several semesters we spent together. From freshman to senior year, Professor Zhou planned both informative and exciting courses, while constantly checking in with students and placing our needs ahead of everything else."
anna krajewski '22
Current Position:
Operations Engineer 1 at Ginkgo Bioworks
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors:
Biology, Environmental Studies"Getting to sit down with your professor and either go over material or even just socialize is something very special and not common at other schools."
sarah berman '21
Current Position:
SEO Manager, New York Post
Current Location:
New York, NY
Majors:
Writing and Rhetoric"One of my favorite parts of being part of the student-athlete community at HWS was having friends across multiple sports. I loved supporting my best friends during their games and it was so fun seeing them cheer me on during my swim meets."
julia stockwin '22
Current Position:
Experience Specialist at EF Education First
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors:
Economics, French and Francophone Studies"HWS provided me with a multitude of opportunities to challenge myself both academically and personally. I am most appreciative to have had the flexibility to diversify my studies between two majors, Economics and French and Francophone Studies, and a minor, Italian, in very different academic areas. My experience with the HWS French department specifically helped me to improve upon invaluable skills such as communication, problem-solving, and analysis that I continue to use everyday."
jake tomm '22
Current Position:
Senior Strategy and Planning Specialist at S&P Global
Current Location:
New York, NY
Majors:Economics
"At HWS, I felt inspired to become more inquisitive and open to challenges. I found real support from the advisors and mentors who invested in me while I was constantly learning from my classmates who I journeyed with. My experiences in athletics, administration, and extracurricular groups allowed me to build trust and leadership on campus. Economics at HWS urged my fascination to help improve our communities while entrepreneurship gave me the tools and principals to face them. The experiences we shared together in Geneva prepared me for my current and future roles."
tatianna suriel '20
Current Position:
Master's Candidate in Environmental Science and Management, University of California, Santa Barbara
Current Location:
Santa Barbara, CA
Majors:Anthropology-Sociology, Women's Studies
"I have found that the expectations HWS professors held me to and the level of critical thinking that was necessary to succeed has been applicable to just about everything I encounter. More importantly, HWS taught me the importance of advocating for yourself, your needs, and the needs of other people. I find myself thriving in nearly every environment I encounter because I understand what I need to succeed."
Lauryn tabolt '22
Current Position:
Community Development Specialist at NY Planning and Community Development
Current Location:
Lewis County, NY
Majors:Environmental Studies
"I look back on my memories of HWS very fondly. I had amazing professors that genuinely cared and met lifelong friends in Theta Phi Alpha, which is the only sorority on campus. HWS helped prepare me for my current occupation by being so involved in the community and placing emphasis on having input from stakeholders whenever we did projects that were based specifically on Geneva. Professor of Sociology Ervin Kosta was always extremely supportive whether I was looking for advice academically or when I was looking for jobs and trying to decide what I wanted to do. I actually gained a ton from my independent study on climate resilience through urban studies, and I will be working on getting my county a county-wide resiliency plan."
nick kriak '22
Current Position:
Legal Assistant at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Current Location:
New York, NY
Majors:
Economics and Educational Studies"HWS prepared me for my future through the skill sets I acquired in the classroom and on the athletic field. The Economics classes allowed me to enhance my critical thinking skills while the Educational Studies classes further developed my interpersonal skills. Being on the men’s soccer team and fulfilling the role of a captain has taught me how to become a leader in all assets of life. The combination of these three has forced me to grow intellectually and is the reason as to how I got to where I am."
talia fountain '22
Current Position:
Clinical Research Coordinator at Dana-Farber Cancer Center
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors:Psychological Science
"At HWS, I was given the opportunity to explore my interests through a wide variety of classes. Taking classes outside of my comfort zone pushed me to be a more flexible problem solver and approach situations with an open mind."
morgan hamre '20
Current Position:Software Engineer for NordstromCurrent Location:Seattle, WAMajors:Computer Science
bea hoffman '23
Current Position:
Administrative Assistant, Preservation of Affordable Housing Communities
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors:
Dance, English, Russian Language and Culture"HWS, and especially the Russian Area Studies program, prepared me for my current role as my day-to-day work consists of frequent interactions with residents who live in the affordable housing complex where my office is located. A majority of the residents speak solely Russian, or Russian with some English. While I am not fluent, I am able to put them at ease and communicate enough, which is something I could not have ever considered before attending HWS!"
emma bilton '22
Current Position:
J.D. Candidate, Suffolk University Law School
Current Location:
Boston, MA
Majors:
Sociology, Psychology"I truly felt that I had a community at HWS through the Public Leadership Education Network. I looked forward to each breakfast, event, movie night, senior spotlight, and speaker! PLEN gave me a group of women on campus who were leaders, like minded, resilient, welcoming, smart, and genuine. Every person wanted to help everyone else succeed."
yalemwork tefera '21
Current Position:Pension Sales Analyst, Apollo Global ManagementCurrent Location:New York, NYMajors:International Relations
frank oplinger '18
Current Position: Senior Data Engineer, Machine Learning Operations at Generate BiomedicinesCurrent Location:Boston, MA
Janey Blackwell-orr '19
Current Position:Project Manager at NJICurrent Location:Alexandria, VAMajors:International Relations
aidan ely '18
Current Position:Graduate, Quinnipiac School of LawCurrent Location:New Haven, CTMajors:Political Science and American Studies
william samayoa '19
Current Position:On Camera Talent Relations Associate Manager, CBS TV StationsCurrent Location:Los Angeles, CAMajors:Writing & Rhetoric
megan richard '19
Current Position:Trade Coordinator, Wellington ManagementCurrent Location:Boston, MAMajors:Economics
sarah benyo '18
Current Position:Head and Neck Surgery Medical Resident, Cleveland Clinic FoundationCurrent Location:Cleveland, OHMajors:Biology
leslie colunga '19
Current Position:Project Manager, Abbott ConstructionCurrent Location:La Puente, CAMajors:Architectural Studies
jonas toupal '19
Current Position:Earth and Environmental Science PhD Candidate, University of PennsylvaniaCurrent Location:Philadelphia, PAMajors:Geoscience and Planetary Science
rotimi adeoye '18
Current Position:J.D. Candidate at Temple University Beasley School of Law; Law Clerk at Willig, Williams & DavidsonCurrent Location:Philadelphia, PAMajors:Political Science
hannah glenshaw '17
Current Position:Assistant Camp Director at Camp SewataroCurrent Location:Sudbury, MAMajors:Africana Studies
jonah salita '19
Current Position:Head of Product, superpower.comCurrent Location:Los Angeles, CAMajors:Media & Society
denali minnick '19
Current Position:
cynthia kellett '19
Current Position:School Sales Representative, NewselaCurrent Location:Charlotte, NCMajors:International Relations
jeremiah otero piersante '18
Current Position:Tropical Cyclone ModelerCurrent Location:Tallahassee, FLMajors:Geoscience and Spanish & Hispanic Studies
drew scammell '18
Current Position:Program Associate, Inclusive STEMM Ecosystems for Equity and Diversity at American Association for the Advancement of ScienceCurrent Location:Washington, D.C.Majors:Physics, Mathematics, and Dance
Sarah Garrett '18
Current Position:Security Education Administrator and Data Analyst, MIT Lincoln LaboratoryCurrent Location:Manchester, NHMajors:Sociology
kevin goltz '19
Current Position:Sales Development Representative, OliverCurrent Location:San Clemente, CAMajors:Economics
banan otaibi '18
Current Position:Medical student, Penn State College of MedicineCurrent Location:Hershey, PAMajors:Biology
david reinharz '20
Current Position:J.D. Candidate, University at Buffalo School of LawCurrent Location:Buffalo, NYMajors:American Studies
yating sherry zhang '19
Current Position:R&D Management Trainee, UnileverCurrent Location:Shanghai, ChinaMajors:Chemistry
mac benson '18
Current Position:Associate Producer at ESPNCurrent Location:Bristol, CTMajors:Writing and Rhetoric
elena parkins '18
Current Position:Creative Arts/Music Therapist, University of Rochester Pediatric Behavioral Health and WellnessCurrent Location:Rochester, NYMajors:Music and Psychology
denzel a. degollado '19
Current Position:Senior Associate, FGS GlobalCurrent Location:New York, NYMajors:International Relations and French & Francophone Studies
brittany coburn '17
Current Position:Visiting Professor at HWS CollegesCurrent Location:Geneva, NYMajors:Studio Art
dominique m. derubeis '18
Current Position:Associate at BlackRockCurrent Location:New York, NYMajors:Economics
kenan williams '17
Current Position:Associate Director, Client Investment Lead, MediaComCurrent Location:New York, NYMajors:Political Science
emily mcdonald '17
Current Position:Nurse, Massachusetts General HospitalCurrent Location:Boston, MAMajors:Psychological Science
sam allen '20
Current Position:Ph.D Candidate, University of PittsburghCurrent Location:Pittsburgh, PAMajors:Sociology
alison posey '15
Current Position:Postdoctoral Researcher, Duke UniversityCurrent Location:Durham, NCMajors:Spanish and Hispanic Studies