Meet the 2026 Orientation Leaders and Mentors, who will help you make a smooth transition to Hobart and William Smith through team-building activities and information sessions.
Orientation Leaders
Emma Bailey ‘28
Hometown: Windham, NH Favorite Place to Eat: My cooking in my house Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The Docks Advice: All of the doors are open for you at HWS
Gavin Brignall ‘27
Hometown: Geneva, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Man Yuan Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: Bristol Field House Advice: Get involved and participate in class
Ant Esi ‘27
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Favorite Place to Eat: La Oaxaqueña Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The Docks Advice: Be kind to others and kinder to yourself, everything will figure itself out
Elle Gordon ‘28
Hometown: Sharon, MA Favorite Place to Eat: The Elephant Favorite Campus Event: Orientation Favorite Location: SAGA Advice: Smile at as many people as you can! It can make a huge difference in someone's day!
Krissia Hercules ‘27
Hometown: Annapolis, MD Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Branch out and join a club
Esosa Iyahen ‘28
Hometown: Abaja, Nigeria Favorite Place to Eat: Main Moon Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Library
Kylie Lundberg ‘28
Hometown: Greenwich, NY Favorite Place to Eat: The Elephant Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Go to office hours to ask questions and say hi to professors!
Lindsay Miller '27
Hometown: Plymouth, NH Favorite Place to Eat: Char Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: Library/lake Advice: Make your voice heard! And make as many connections as possible.
Nate Morgan '27
Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT Favorite Place to Eat: Torrey Park Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Arts Campus Advice: Try to do things you love!
Karen Padilla ‘27
Hometown: Chicago, IL Favorite Place to Eat: La Oaxequeña Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase Favorite Location: Grass in front of Trinity Advice: Find the light at the end of each tunnel.
Ava Shiff ‘27
Hometown: Buffalo, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Coffee Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: William Smith Hill Advice: Enjoy every minute of HWS!
Lizzy Whitney ‘27
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Monaco's Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: My Odell's Unit! Advice: Say yes and try new things! You never really know where it will lead you. Join a sport or club!
Orientation Mentors
Sirak Afeworki ‘29
Hometown: Buffalo, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Geneva Taqueria Los Amigos Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Boat House Advice: Connect with your teachers and attend office hours.
Amarachi Ajie ‘28
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Favorite Place to Eat: Rusty Pig Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase Favorite Location: The Cellar Pub Advice: Befriend all your professors.
Bilal Akeem ‘28
Hometown: Rochester, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Man Yuan Favorite Campus Event: Engagement Expo Favorite Location: The library Advice: You'll find your home here, whether with friends or faculty.
Shaimum Alvee ‘29
Hometown: Dhaka, Bangladesh Favorite Place to Eat: Monaco's Coffee Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Caird Hill Advice: Try out everything you ever wanted to experience! College is the best time you'll get for it.
Ibrahima Amar ‘27
Hometown: Bronx, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Cellar Pub Favorite Campus Event: CAB Events Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Be open minded and explore.
Lilly Andrews‑Edwards ‘29
Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded for coffee Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Gearan Center for the Performing Arts Advice: Be kind, be yourself, be confident in your genuine self, show up to things — never too late to make new friends.
Juliza Ariza
Brennan Boyle ‘29
Hometown: Alexandria, VA Favorite Place to Eat: C.L. Luffy's Sushi Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: The lake when it's warm enough Advice: Check out the pasta bar!
William Bridwell‑Haltom
India Buff ‘27
Hometown: Albany, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Char Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Houghton House Library Advice: Stay organized and have fun meeting new people the first few weeks!
Hyacinth Calloway ‘28
Hometown: Chicago, IL Favorite Place to Eat: Happy Indian Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Don't be pressured to do everything all at once, you have time!
Kalani Cannady ‘27
Hometown: Bronx, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Hibachi Favorite Campus Event: Homecoming and Family Weekend Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Make connections, branch out from the people you originally start with your freshman year.
Noah Casey ‘27
Hometown: Detroit, MI Favorite Place to Eat: Mr. Twistees Favorite Campus Event: President's Forum Favorite Location: Stern 112 Advice: Go forth and set the world on fire.
Danie Dezart
Ethan Dunn ‘27
Hometown: Taneytown, MD Favorite Place to Eat: Tucci's Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Get involved, make connections, and use your resources.
Emily Echavarria ‘27
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Geneva on the Lake Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: Centennial Center Advice: Life isn't linear, your journey will not be the same as someone else's and that's okay.
Ydenruby Facio ‘28
Hometown: Chicago, IL Favorite Place to Eat: C.L. Luffy Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase/Folk Fest Favorite Location: Arts campus (Sunken Garden) Advice: Go to all the school events/games and dress up!
Nicolas Garilli ‘29
Hometown: West Simsbury, CT Favorite Place to Eat: Water Street Cafe Favorite Campus Event: Halloween Event Favorite Location: Bristol Field House Advice: Book a study room early in the library for finals.
Isla Gell ‘28
Hometown: Fairport, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Working Class Coffee Favorite Campus Event: Fright Fest Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Don't be afraid to talk to new people — everyone is so welcoming and kind!
Aaron Ginyard ‘29
Hometown: Bronx, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Cafe Favorite Campus Event: Orientation Favorite Location: Cafe Advice: We have many great resources on campus… get to know them because you never know when you'll need them.
Jasmine Goncalves Piment ‘27
Chelsea Gonzaga Torres ‘28
Hometown: Livingston, NJ Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: Midnight Breakfast Favorite Location: Bozzuto Dock Advice: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things!
Sofyane Halidou '28
Charlie Hamilton ‘29
Hometown: South Chatham, MA Favorite Place to Eat: Man Yuan Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: St. John's Chapel Advice: Try everything, you never know when you can spark a new interest.
Andrew Hanna ‘28
Hometown: Jackson, WY Favorite Place to Eat: Smokin' Pete's Favorite Campus Event: Day of Service Favorite Location: Cellar Pub Advice: Make mistakes and embarrass yourself, embrace it all.
Katie (Kaitlyn) Hardy ‘29
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Favorite Place to Eat: Kindred Fare Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Blackwell Room Advice: Branch out and have fun.
Laine Heiser '27
Hometown: Katy, TX Favorite Place to Eat: Torrey Park Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: SAGA/The Cooler Advice: Go to sports games to cheer on your friends.
Marshall Hemmerich ‘28
Hometown: Lancaster, PA Favorite Place to Eat: Man Yuan Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Cellar Pub Advice: 1.) Make your professors like you. 2.) Say yes to everything.
Ashley Hernandez ‘27
Hometown: Queens, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Los Amigos Favorite Campus Event: All CAB events, especially goat yoga Favorite Location: AIC Advice: Take every opportunity, even the ones that scare you a little.
Yalitza Hernandez ‘28
Hometown: Chicago, IL Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Fest Favorite Location: The outdoors Advice: Branch out, talk to people, and organize your course materials from the start! Attend office hours!
William Hogan '28
Journey Horeis ‘28
Hometown: Peckville, PA Favorite Place to Eat: Naughty on the Weekend or C.L. Luffy's Favorite Campus Event: Fright Night Favorite Location: Demarest Advice: Try a lot! Things pick up quickly after First Year, so start building connections now.
Cassandra Howard ‘27
Hometown: Corning, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Monaco's Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The Quad Advice: Put yourself out there and say yes to new opportunities.
Efehan Huyuk ‘28
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Bagels and Cakes Favorite Campus Event: CAB's Fright Night Favorite Location: Adams Intercultural Center Advice: Go to every event & opportunity given to you — you're only here for so long!
Sebastian Iancu ‘29
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Bagels and Cakes Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Bristol Pool Advice: Spend snack money wisely!
Jade Inzinna ‘28
Hometown: Rochester, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Finger Lakes Coffee Advice: Stay involved on campus and participate in extracurricular activities.
Megan Jones ‘29
Hometown: Vestal, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Rusty Pig Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Step out of your comfort zone, it will pay off!
Anne Keneally ‘28
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Eddie O'Briens Favorite Campus Event: Midnight Breakfast Favorite Location: The Quad Advice: Say yes to everything! You never know what opportunities will come out of it!
Christian Kneaskern ‘28
Hometown: Syracuse, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Smokin' Pete's Favorite Campus Event: Day of Service Favorite Location: Library Advice: Take it all in, time flies.
Ryan Koons ‘29
Hometown: Englewood, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Phoenix Flavor Favorite Campus Event: Dog sledding Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Keep exploring your interests.
Amanda Lawrence ‘27
Hometown: Bronx, NY Favorite Place to Eat: La Oaxaqueña Favorite Campus Event: CSA J'ouvert Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Join student organizations.
Aubrey Lenthall ‘28
Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Quad Advice: Go and try as many new activities/on‑campus events as possible.
Camryn Limner ‘29
Hometown: Scottsville, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Torrey Park Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Boathouse Advice: Take advantage of the fitness classes in Bristol Field House!
Lorelei Lynott ‘28
Hometown: Streamwood, IL Favorite Place to Eat: Bagels and Cakes Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Sunken Garden (Arts campus) Advice: Try anything and everything!
Martin MacConnell ‘29
Hometown: Bergen, NY Favorite Place to Eat: La Oaxaqueña Favorite Campus Event: HWS Round Robin Favorite Location: Geneva Room (Library) Advice: Start building productive habits early and find your favorite place to study by exploring campus.
Maya Mahoney
Maysie Malinaric ‘27
Hometown: Orlando, FL Favorite Place to Eat: Ichiro/Smokin’ Pete’s Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Steps on the Quad Advice: Don’t be afraid to pursue your interests — in classes, clubs, or jobs on campus.
Caeley McCormick ‘29
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Favorite Campus Event: Day of Service Favorite Location: Outside of the bookstore Advice: Have fun and make as many friends as you can — it’s worth stepping outside your comfort zone.
Lauren McNeill ‘28
Hometown: Plano, TX Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Favorite Campus Event: Friday Dinners at the President’s House Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Say yes to everything the first few weeks — you’ll meet so many new people.
Kaleigh McPhail ‘28
Hometown: Richmond, VA Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: Day of Service Favorite Location: Blackwell Room Advice: Say hi to everyone and anyone you can!
Mairead McPhillips ‘29
Hometown: Delmar, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Geneva Gelato Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Benches by the lake Advice: Put yourself out there! Get involved, make friends, and be yourself!
Arleth Merino ‘27
Hometown: Bronx, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Water Street Cafe Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Bristol Field House Advice: Don't limit yourself and have fun in everything you do!
Lief Minnick ‘28
Hometown: Fairport, NY Favorite Place to Eat: C.L. Luffy’s Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Blackwell Room Advice: Savor the little moments — everything will work out the way it’s supposed to!
Litzy Miranda Mejia ‘29
Hometown: Silver Spring, MD Favorite Place to Eat: Phoenix Flavor Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: My dorm Advice: First‑year flies by — have fun and make choices you’ll feel proud of.
Mia Nixon ‘28
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Favorite Place to Eat: Char Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Stern Advice: Be open!
Anna O’Reilly ‘29
Hometown: Burlington, VT Favorite Place to Eat: The Pub Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Be open to new things.
Jordyn Osborne ‘29
Hometown: Pittsford, NY Favorite Place to Eat: C.L. Luffy Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Boathouse Advice: Don’t be afraid to make new friends — you never know who you’ll meet!
Kira Ostovar ‘29
Hometown: Cooperstown, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Kindred Fare Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The docks/boathouse Advice: Be nice to everyone and don’t be afraid to talk to new people!
Kihoko Otake ‘29
Hometown: Japan Favorite Place to Eat: Grounded Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: Library Advice: Take your time, try new things, and HAVE FUN — HWS is a great community!
Jayne Pearson
Nora Piddington ‘29
Hometown: Atlanta, GA Favorite Place to Eat: Phoenix Flavor Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The lake Advice: Attend every club you’re interested in.
Mikyle Polcari ‘27
Hometown: Miller Place, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Library Advice: Being a first‑year is hard — you don’t need to have it all figured out.
Justin Price ‘28
Hometown: Yorktown Heights, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Main Moon Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: Bristol Gym Advice: Go to all events at the beginning of the year to meet new people.
Skylar Prochnow ‘29
Hometown: Buffalo, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Bar Favorite Campus Event: Halloween Activities Favorite Location: The docks Advice: Go to all the different events around campus! Check out club meetings and get involved.
Connor Raynsford ‘29
Hometown: Glenville, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Cellar Pub Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Blackwell Room Advice: Stay true to yourself.
Kiré Richardson ‘27
Hometown: Roselle, NJ Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Bar Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Arts Campus Advice: Don't be scared to talk to new people.
Virginia Ritchay ‘28
Hometown: Louisville, KY Favorite Place to Eat: The Elephant Favorite Campus Event: Day of Service Favorite Location: The docks/Tables outside of caf Advice: Go meet new people and know everything is a win when the goal is experience!
Amelia Roberts ‘29
Hometown: Centennial, CO Favorite Place to Eat: Empire Coffee Favorite Campus Event: Steak Night Favorite Location: Blackwell Library Advice: Get out of your dorm room and get involved in as many things as possible.
Lyric‑Ashlee Robinson ‘29
Hometown: New York City, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Din Tai Fung Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Hirsh Ballroom or benches by the lake Advice: Be open‑minded, try new things, and have fun with everything you do.
Katie (Kathleen) Rombach ‘28
Hometown: Newark Valley, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Happy Indian Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: 2nd floor library Advice: Talk to everyone — they're all as nervous and excited as you!
Sayeeda Saidkariev ‘29
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA Favorite Place to Eat: Water St. Cafe Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: Odells Pond Advice: Meet as many people as you can! There are so many nice people on campus.
Juliana Scialdone ‘29
Hometown: Syracuse, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Water St. Cafe Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase Favorite Location: The dock by the lake Advice: Don't be afraid to say hi to new people and always keep a positive mindset!
Benjamin Sheppard ‘29
Hometown: Hershey, PA Favorite Place to Eat: Water St. Cafe Favorite Campus Event: Halloweekend Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: Stay involved, try something new — you just never know.
Cameron Sher ‘27
Hometown: Jericho, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Water St. Cafe Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The benches by the lake Advice: 4 years goes by fast — enjoy it.
Hannah Shulman ‘29
Hometown: Pittsford, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Ichiro Sushi/hibachi Favorite Campus Event: Goat yoga Favorite Location: Gearan Center for the Performing Arts Advice: Say hi to people you don't know — you can never have too many friends.
William Smith ‘29
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA Favorite Place to Eat: Main Moon Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest / Rocky Horror Favorite Location: Demarest Advice: Don't be shy — be outgoing, try new things, and be authentic to yourself.
Zachary Snyder ‘28
Hometown: Ithaca, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Cams Favorite Campus Event: HWS Day Favorite Location: Demarest Advice: Do everything.
Jainaba Sowe ‘29
Hometown: Bronx, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Bagels and Cakes Favorite Campus Event: Winter Wonderland Favorite Location: The lake when it's warm enough Advice: Go to teaching fellows!
Paige Taylor ‘28
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Favorite Place to Eat: C.L. Luffy
Julianna Thornburg ‘28
Hometown: Rochester, NY Favorite Place to Eat: The Elephant Favorite Campus Event: Supermarket bingo Favorite Location: Blackwell Room Advice: Try everything! It helps you find your passions and make connections.
Piper Torrey ‘28
Hometown: Little Compton, RI Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Favorite Campus Event: The drag show Favorite Location: The boathouse Advice: Don't be afraid to reach out — everyone’s trying to make friends!
Tara Valas ‘27
Hometown: Raleigh, NC Favorite Place to Eat: Smokin' Pete's Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: SAGA Advice: Go to everything!
Hannah Walsh ‘28
Hometown: Rocky Hill, CT Favorite Place to Eat: Ichiro Japanese Restaurant Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Third Floor Library Advice: Your freshman year grades matter!
Zac Wargo ‘29
Hometown: Lake Placid, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Tres Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Bristol Gym Advice: Take advantage of all the opportunities on campus.
Audrey Wilbanks ‘29
Hometown: South Orange, NJ Favorite Place to Eat: Kindred Fare Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: Blackwell Room Advice: Put yourself out there and try new things.
Kelsey Wilkens ‘28
Hometown: Greenwich, CT Favorite Place to Eat: Char Burrito Favorite Campus Event: KDC Showcase Favorite Location: The lake! Advice: You get out of orientation what you give — talk to people, do every event, ask questions!
Kate Williams ‘28
Hometown: Red Hook, NY Favorite Place to Eat: Main Moon Favorite Campus Event: Folk Fest Favorite Location: The docks Advice: Put yourself out there, even when it's scary!
