Class of 2026 Stories

headshot

Lia Wong-Fodor '26

Research Technician at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

"Pursue your passions — especially academically! You will find a lot of support from your professors and peers. I never imagined I could be a BCMC major, do research in a lab, and also get my M.A. in French, but it has been an incredible experience."

Lia's Story
Valencia in front of a 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ sign

Jean Valencia Nyambura Ngunjiri '26

Finance data analyst at American Express in New York City

"College is going to feel uncertain sometimes. Lean into that. That’s where the interesting stuff happens, where you surprise yourself, grow, and become someone you didn’t even know you could be."

Valencia's Story
Abbie in the Community Kitchen

Abigail Urban '26

Culinary School at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris

"I am most excited to take my learning in a new direction, studying something much more physical, while still building on my background in sociology. While at 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ, I have studied the sociology of culture and hope to develop my understanding of food as a cultural aspect, a tool for connection, and a symbol in my further studies. "

Abigail's Story
Headshot

Anne Nguyen '26

Associate Product Manager at Sallie Mae in Philadelphia

"There is so much richness in experience and learning awaiting you at 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ, so choose how you spend your time wisely while welcoming the unexpected and the uncomfortable."

Anne's Story
Headshot

Seda Peacher '26

Researcher at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

If you are interested in anything (a class, an internship, a research opportunity), don't be afraid to reach out and ask! 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ is what you make of it, and everyone from peers to professors to alumnae is excited to help. 

Seda's Story
Erica at a desk on the athletic field

Erica C. James '26

M.A. in Sport Management at the University of Connecticut

"The ability to take courses across multiple departments and disciplines gave me confidence in an interdisciplinary future."

Erica's Story
Mahnoor in front of a blackboard

Mahnoor Nasir '26

M.A. in Teaching - Secondary Biology at Loyola University Maryland

"The thing I absolutely adore about 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ is the level of familiarity I have come to develop with my professors. Even though I have taken classes across many departments and, by the nature of my major, across the Bi-College, I have never felt as though my professors are an unknown entity."

Mahnoor's Story
Sudeshna in front of the GSSWSR

Esha Dev, M.S.S '26

Psychotherapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

"Things can feel heavy in the world right now, but knowing that 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ is sending a new class of trauma-informed, social justice-oriented social workers into communities every year makes me feel hopeful about the kind of future we are building."

Esha's Story
Headshot

Miya Matsumune '26

M.A. in Teaching - Earth Science with a Residency at The American Museum of Natural History in NYC

"My time in the Energy Afterlives 360 Course Cluster changed my life. It introduced me to professors, students, and theories that fundamentally influenced my outlook on the world. It informed my decision to declare as a Geology and History double major and expanded my idea of what education should look like and what a college course could be."

Miya's Story
Headshot

Mary Somerville, Ph.D. '26

High school Latin teacher in Washington, D.C.

"The graduate community here has always been full of wildly intelligent but intellectually generous folks, and they have made me a better scholar not only by challenging me in conversation but also by helping me find resources and exchanging written work to edit."

Mary's Story
Headshot

Mallory Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. '26

Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Puget Sound

"Both my cohort-mate and my faculty advisors were fundamental parts of my 51¶ÌÊÓÆµ experience, and I didn’t realize quite how much you need to find your people. Finding the right people to work with and hang with can really make or break your experience. "

Mallory's Story
Headshot

Jean Rojas '26

Software Engineer in the Bay Area

"Having the most random combination of majors or minors isn't unusual here. The school doesn't ask you to choose between your interests. For someone whose interests don't fit one track, that mattered."

Jean's Story