Courtesy of Sean Elliot
On April 3, Connecticut College honored 18 graduating seniors as Langer Scholars. The highest academic honor bestowed by the College, Langer Scholar distinction was awarded to seniors with grade point averages in the top three percent of the graduating class. Langer Scholars are also the first members of their class to be accepted into the prestigious national honor society, Phi Beta Kappa. While this tradition dates back to 1928, this year was the first time the students were named Langer Scholars instead of Winthrop Scholars. Formerly named in honor of New London city founder and Connecticut governor John Winthrop the Younger, the award was renamed to recognize Susanne K. Langer, a philosopher and professor emeritus of the College. Recently, The College Voice caught up with each of the 18 scholars to learn about their academic journeys, advice for students, and future plans.
Lauren C. Anatol – Brooklyn, New York
Major: Self-Designed Interdisciplinary Major in Media and Identity Development
Minor: Linguistics
Center: Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology
Campus Involvements: Blackness in Superhero On-Screen Media (BISOM) Club founder and president, ARC Communications Mentor
Why Conn: I came to Connecticut College because of the smaller class sizes and the ability to more easily combine my interests in interdisciplinary work, like in a center or in being able to self-design my major.
Academic Interests: My major combines Film, Human Development, and Critical Race and Ethnicity Studies in order to look at how representations on-screen affect childhood development, specifically racially. I chose this major because I felt that I could only study the wider relationship between how young minds are shaped by media and racial representation on-screen itself if I self-designed my major. I chose to minor in Linguistics because I wanted to better understand how languages themselves work and better understand the properties of Afro-diasporic languages and dialects, in particular. I chose the Ammerman Center because I found myself doing a lot of academic research and I wanted an opportunity to do a more creative project and deepen my artistic skills.
Future Plans: Immediately after college, I am going to take a gap year before going to grad school, likely for Media Studies. I have three main career goals: continue to research racial representation (specifically in the superhero genre) and write about it, teach courses on race in film, and become a screenwriter or director and create my own media with better representations for younger audiences.
Advice for Students: My main advice is to find a way to bring your passions to as much of your academic work as possible, to make it a point to create deep connections with as many of your professors and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Sharing my interests with professors, even if it didn’t always feel directly related to class, allowed me to better guide my academics as well as my personal interests, and led to some very interesting conversations with professors and staff that I will take with me after I leave.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank the staff at the ARC specifically for creating an inviting and comfortable space for me to think through my academic ideas in independent studies and through casual conversations about the newest Marvel media.
Oliver Auciello – New York, New York
Major: Physics
Minor: Mathematics
Campus Involvements: Squash Club President
Why Conn: I found out about Conn through the POSSE scholarship process and really liked the small, involved campus and the freedom to tailor an interdisciplinary academic experience.
Academic Interests: My freshman year, I honestly didn’t understand what Physics was, but wanted to study something that I could use to benefit the world. I wanted to learn Physics so that I would have a theoretical backbone that could be applied to various branches of engineering. The more Physics classes I have taken, the more captivated I have become with the subject.
Future Plans: I was accepted into a Master of Science in Physics at City College in NYC with the goal of eventually earning a PhD in Experimental Physics. As of now, I hope to work my way into the photonics industry and develop photon (light)-based technologies that can be used in a wide variety of applications.
Advice for Students: My advice is taking advantage of your professors’ office hours.
Shoutouts: I’d like to thank all my Physics professors and advisors (Professors Diagne, Seifert, Maser, and Weinstein), my Math advisor (Professor Hammond), my FYS professor (Professor Little), and all of the Hale Career Center staff.
Megan Bidgood – Melrose, Massachusetts
Majors: Psychology and Human Development
Center: PICA (Program in Community Action)
Campus Involvements: Office of Wellbeing and Health Promotion, where I support campus-wide efforts to advance holistic peer health education. My work is particularly centered on harm reduction strategies related to substance use. I am an ARC tutor for introductory courses in both Psychology and Human Development.
Why Conn: I chose to come to Conn because I appreciated the liberal arts education, the natural beauty of our campus, and the passion students, faculty, and staff have for their interests.
Academic Interests: I went to college intending to major in Psychology as I find the field incredibly interesting and profound. I chose to add Human Development as a major as the knowledge acquired complimented my psychological studies very well. Motivated by a strong commitment to social justice, I applied to the Program in Community Action (PICA), through which I have had the opportunity to engage in meaningful community work and conduct research on public healthcare policy.
Future Plans: After graduating from Conn, I will be working as a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Cardiac Psychiatry Research Lab at Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA. There, I will be conducting studies that implement positive psychology interventions among those with pre-existing cardiac conditions. After two gap years, I plan to apply to graduate school in Clinical Psychology.
Advice for Current Students: My advice to students seeking success in their classes and at Conn is to build meaningful relationships with professors, faculty, and staff. In my experience, cultivating strong mentorships not only helped me academically but also created a supportive and enriching college experience.
Shoutouts: I would like to express gratitude to the Psychology Department, the Human
Development Department, and the Holleran Center/PICA for their support, knowledge, and the
countless opportunities that have allowed me to grow both as a scholar and as a person.
Annabelle Breton – Wells, Maine
Majors: Chemistry and Dance Double Major
Campus Involvements: Dance Club
Why Conn: This may sound silly, but I chose to come to Conn because it was close to my home. Additionally, I had heard that Conn had a really good dance program. At the time I had no intentions of majoring in dance, but I did know that I wanted to keep dancing in some capacity, whether that was a club or taking a few classes.
Academic Interests: Believe it or not, chemistry was my favorite class that I took in high school. Many of the science professors here will tell you that they love chemistry because they love learning how the world works, and I feel the same way. Deciding to be a dance major was a bit different. I’ve been dancing since I was three years old, so it has always been a huge part of my life. My first semester at Conn I joined Dance Club, participated in their Fall Show and loved it, but I still didn’t really know anything about the dance department. My second semester, I took my first dance class. I remember going to watch the Senior Capstone Concert that year, seeing a bunch of people I recognized from Dance Club and wondering “What the heck? Why did I not know about this? I would’ve loved to perform in something like this.” From that point on, I told myself that I would become more involved in the dance department. The next year I declared my major.
Future Plans: I don’t have any concrete plans yet. I can say with certainty that I will not be attending grad school – research has never been my favorite thing. I think I’d like to work as a lab technician in a hospital. I would also like to keep dancing, but that will likely be something I’ll do in my free time.
Advice for Students: Go to class! Seriously. I know it’s easy to skip classes, but you will miss so much information if you do, especially if you’re a STEM major. I personally find I take in information better when I am physically present and writing stuff down as opposed to getting notes from a friend or reviewing slides on my own. I would also recommend getting a study buddy, or just someone that you can review your homework answers with. In my higher level chem classes, our class had a group chat where we would ask questions and compare answers, and it was a lifesaver.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank the entire Dance Department Faculty for continually pushing me out of my comfort zone and for their camaraderie. I would also like to thank Professor Jacob Stewart for making Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics bearable classes – I don’t know how I would’ve survived if I’d had a professor who wasn’t as passionate as him – and Professor Stanton Ching for his constant support of my academic journey as my advisor.
Maricela Camargo – Chicago, Illinois
Major: Neuroscience
Center: Program in Community Action (PICA)
Campus Involvement: Posse Scholar, Science Leader, Pre-Health Club Co-President, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital Bilingual Safety Volunteer, Chemistry Tutor, Genesis Big Sib, Camel Card Office employee
Why Conn: I chose Conn because of the beautiful campus, the Centers and Pathways offered, and more than anything, because of the friendly and welcoming environment ever since day one.
Academic Interests: I chose the Neuroscience major because I have always been interested in psychology, but also love learning about human anatomy, so Neuroscience was the perfect option for me! I got involved in PICA due to my constant involvement in the communities where I live and the commitment I have to give back to those communities. Volunteering at L+M Hospital allowed me to make a difference within the Limited English Proficient (LEP) population and it has been very fulfilling to be able to make a positive impact within New London and help address health disparities.
Future Plans: I am currently working as a Medical Assistant at a pediatric clinic and plan to apply to Physician Assistant (PA) school this upcoming cycle. As a PA, I hope to continue giving back to my community by providing care for Spanish speaking individuals, hoping to decrease language barriers in the healthcare system.
Advice for Students: Manage your time wisely in order to have time to complete assignments and stay organized, stay involved on campus, study for tests a couple days before test in order to retain more information, go to office hours and ask for help/tutoring if needed, use Conn’s vast amount of resources, find some time to take care of your own physical and mental health, and believe in yourself.
Shoutouts: Thank you to Marc Forster, Joseph Schroeder, Mays Imad, Marc Zimmer, Page Owen, Sara Abbazia, Dean Schenk, Mary Savage, Shamus Denniston, everyone at the Holleran Center and my wonderful friends for always rooting for me, helping, and supporting me throughout my journey at Conn!
Bella Donatelli – Aurora, CO
Majors: Dance and Classical Studies
Minor: Computer Science
Certificate: Museum Studies certificate program.
Campus Involvements: Dance Department SAB Chair, former Dance Club president, teaching assistant for the dance, museum studies, and computer science departments.
Why Conn: I came to Connecticut College because it provided me the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary studies, combining my interests in academia and the performing arts.
Academic Interests: I chose the Museum Studies center at Conn because it invites the intersection of a broad range of studies with a focused intent. For my Senior Integrative Project last fall I created a digital exhibition that houses the academic, choreographic, and technological research for my honors thesis in dance. Having a platform in which I can combine all facets of my education at Conn was incredibly exciting and has sparked interest in the other ways I can continue to merge my academic and performative studies.
Future Plans: After I graduate, I plan to continue dancing, creating, and performing.
Advice for Students: Know how to support yourself throughout your time at school. It’s easy to say yes to all the wonderful opportunities lying in front of you, but check to make sure that each new project and/or commitment is serving your academic, creative, and personal goals.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank all the faculty in the dance department for all of their support inside and outside of the studio, especially David Dorfman, Lisa Race, and Shawn Hove.
Chloe Dourmashkin – Yonkers NY
Majors: Anthropology and Environmental Studies
Pathway: Public Health
Campus Involvements: Office of Admissions Admission Coordinator
Why Conn: I chose to come to Connecticut College because I loved the beautiful campus, small class size, and flexible curriculum. I always felt like I was interested in so many different things, and wanted to find a place to explore them all, rather than feeling restricted to only one.
Academic Interests: I always knew I wanted to do anthropology from a course I took in high school. I have always been so fascinated learning about cultures, lifestyles, and practices different from my own. I began taking courses in the environmental studies department as a first-year and realized how interested I was in the many different avenues to take environmental studies. There is lots of overlap in the anthropology major, and also so much more to learn that I had never known related to agriculture, social justice, policy, and health. I found the public health pathway to be a confluence of my two majors exploring how anthropology and ES are related, and are both highly relevant to public health.
Future Plans: This fall, I will be attending NYU School of Global Public Health for my Master of Public Health, with a concentration in environmental health.
Advice for Students: My advice would be to explore courses outside of your comfort zone and to put time and effort into making connections, socially and professionally. Your network can become your lifeline!
Shoutouts: I would like to thank Professor Jeffrey Cole, Ginny Anderson, and Anthony Graesch for their unwavering support and guidance!
Timothy Friend – West Newbury MA
Major: Film Studies
Minor: Computer Science
Center: Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology
Campus Involvements: SGA four-year member, SGA Chair of Communications, Robotics Club and board member
Why Conn: I chose to come to Connecticut College because they had two of the programs I was most interested in at the time, film and Russian. My choice was made when I took a drive-through tour of campus and was amazed by the stone buildings and extensive gardens.
Academic Interests: I chose to major in film studies because I have always had a deep passion for learning and exploration. I found that while I loved math and science courses, I didn’t want to commit to learning everything about one area. I felt that I could use film to explore the other topics I enjoyed throughout my life. I learned about Ammerman and thought it could be a great opportunity to both learn about hands-on tech art and would provide an opportunity to make an animatronic puppet (a lofty goal I have had for a while). Through Ammerman, I had to take a computer science course, which I found to be really fun and easy.
Future Plans: Seeing as I graduated early, I am already beginning my future work – as of now I work three days a week for Wayfair as a Production Assistant. I work on a team that films product videos for Wayfair Verified items. Wayfair is not my end goal, and I am currently applying for Video Editor, Photo Editor, Graphics, and other related roles at companies like The New Yorker and The New York Times. I hope to take my technical skills and endless curiosity to companies that promote discovery and truth.
Advice for Students: When it comes to advice on how to be successful in classes, I think a large part comes from how people learn and then the rest is determination and focus. I always got my work done by the deadlines and made sure to reach out for help or clarification if I didn’t understand a prompt or assignment. I never once missed a single class and would always take physical notes so as to not be distracted by my email or some other tab on my computer. When it comes to the factors of one’s education they can control, I think the biggest key to success is to just be present and do the work.
Benjamin Kaplan – Newton, Massachusetts
Major: Sociology
Minor: Philosophy
Why Conn: I chose to come to Connecticut College because I wanted to go to a small school and I really enjoyed how beautiful the campus was and how once I was a student I would be able to take classes outside of my major and minor. I really liked the flexibility this offered me and it allowed me to try new things.
Academic Interests: I ultimately chose to major in sociology because I really enjoyed how the knowledge I gained helped change the way I think. I noticed that my understanding and compassion went up from learning which I really enjoyed. I chose to minor in philosophy because it also helped me think in different ways. It allowed me to question my understanding and not just rely on the information I was given. I chose both my major and minor because I believed that I would see benefits both within and outside of professional and personal settings.
Zoey Kolligian – Princeton, New Jersey
Majors: Art and Psychology
Pathway: Creativity
Why Conn: I came to Connecticut College due to a few factors. First, the beautiful arboretum. Second, the flexibility of the accommodations department. Third, the ease of declaring a second major. This combination meant the college was ideal for my circumstances.
Academic Interests: I’ve always been interested in far too many subjects. My whole first year was trying out a variety of possibilities. I was certain I wanted to choose between either art or english as a first major, and biology or psychology as a second major. While I did find myself confident in my choice by the end of the year, meeting successive requirements was a bit down to the wire – especially when adding a pathway into the mix. But Creativity worked too well as a bridge between art and psychology for me to neglect it. The resultant summer I got to spend utterly devoted to my art is not one I will soon forget.
Future Plans: Before I aim for grad school, I plan to narrow down the specifics of my interests further. I’ve spent the last year interning at a domestic violence shelter and I’m invested in art therapy and other forms of creative outlets as a form of healing.
Advice for Students: Take classes you want to experience, that you can feel passionate for. Sleep a full eight hours. I highly recommend looking into school-funded opportunities, like a Sophomore Summer Research Project. Finally, take time to relax and care for yourself – this is but the first step of many.
Shoutouts: I’d like to thank both my advisors, Professor Singer and Professor Bailey, for their unending support over the years. I’d also like to thank every single one of my professors. Every class I’ve taken at Conn has been marked by understanding of my circumstances, and a flexibility that paved the way for this success.
Molly Monzeglio – Glastonbury, CT
Major: Psychology
Minor: Art
Pathway: Creativity
Campus Involvements: 4 year member of Conn Varsity Women’s Soccer team, member/ women’s soccer representative for One Love
Why Conn: I was recruited to come play soccer here. I knew I wanted to play D3 and in the NESCAC specifically. The balance between rigorous academics and competitive athletics at Conn drew me in.
Academic Interests: I really enjoyed the Psychology classes I had taken and I’ve always known that I wanted to be in a profession dedicated to helping others. As far as art, it was always a hobby of mine but I never intended on minoring in it or even studying it here at Conn. I think Conn does a really great job of encouraging students to study seemingly unrelated topics and pursue multiple passions. Because of this, I felt compelled to start doing art again and ultimately minor in it. I chose the creativity pathway for similar reasons. With the guidance of Professor Singer, I was able to create a meaningful connection between my two areas of study.
Future Plans: I am pursuing teaching, specifically lower school education, at Brunswick School in Greenwich, CT next year.
Advice for Students: Just work hard- you get out what you put in. I am by no means the brightest person in any class I have been in, I just put a lot of effort in.
Shoutouts: I am very thankful for Professor Singer who I am fortunate enough to have had as my major and pathway advisor!
Thao Thanh Nguyen – Hanoi, Vietnam
Major: Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology
Minor: Statistics and Data Science
Campus Involvement: President of the International Student Association, International Student Advisor, BCMB representative for Equity in STEM, Chemistry tutor
Why Conn: I chose Conn because of its welcoming and tight-knit community. There was a clear sense of collaboration over competition, and it felt like a place where I’d be supported in growing both academically and personally. Also, being just 15 minutes from the beach was definitely a plus!
Academic Interests: I’ve always had a passion for STEM ever since I was a kid. My high school education focused heavily on biology, which I really enjoyed, so I thought I’d continue going down that road at Conn. However, after taking general chemistry I and II, I found myself really drawn to chemistry as well. So, I decided to go with biochemistry, which felt like the perfect blend of both, even though I’ve ended up focusing more on chemistry as I’ve progressed through my degree.
Future Plans: Catching up on some much-needed sleep, and then I will be pursuing a PhD in Chemistry at UC Irvine starting this September.
Advice for Students: My advice would be to never hesitate to reach out to others when you need help. People here genuinely want the best for you and want you to succeed.
Shoutouts: I am extremely grateful for all the guidance and support I’ve received from the faculty and staff in the Chemistry Department. I’d like to thank Professor Tanya Schneider for being such a wonderful major advisor and for giving me my first research opportunity. I’m also deeply thankful to Professor Timo Ovaska for being the best PI a student could ask for. I’ve been fortunate to learn so much from him, and I know my life would have taken a very different path if he hadn’t taken me in his lab. To Dean Carmela Patton, who has been such a dedicated Dean of International Students—I can’t imagine navigating life in the US without her support. And to my friends, especially Chi (a fellow Langer Scholar) and Michelle, thank you for always having my back.
Chi Quynh Nguyen – Hai Phong, Vietnam
Majors: Computer Science and Statistics & Data Science
Minor: Economics
Why Conn: I knew about Conn as one of my high school classmates was also applying to Conn. I chose Conn mainly because the school gave me very generous financial aid.
Academic Interests: I was initially an Econ major wannabe until I took COM 110 Intro to Com Sci with Professor Chung. She’s the main reason I chose to major in CS (besides the hype about six-figure jobs after graduation). About the SDS major, I have been interested in Statistics since high school and the SDS major has a lot of overlapping courses with CS so I decided to double major.
Future Plans: I intend to go to work first for a few years and may go to grad school after if I find it necessary.
Advice for Students: I think the only advice I have is not to hesitate to seek out help. The ARC has a lot of tutors for most classes and you can always go to office hours to talk to your professors.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank Professor Christine Chung and Professor Priya Kohli for being my inspiration to pursue a STEM career as a woman.
Christian Perugini – Medway, Massachusetts
Major: Quantitative Economics and Econometrics
Minor: Finance
Pathway: Entrepreneurship
Campus Involvements: Varsity Men’s Soccer, Peggotty Investment Club, Corporate Finance Tutor, Accounting Tutor
Why Conn: I chose Conn because I wanted a small liberal arts college that was close to home and provided high level academics and athletics. I also really enjoyed the campus when visiting before applying.
Academic Interests: I chose my major in QEE and minor in finance in hopes to pursue a career in finance after graduation. I think this combination provides valuable technical and theoretical skills that will prove to be beneficial throughout my career.
Future Plans: I am going to be working as a Consultant at FactSet. FactSet is a financial data and analytics company that partners with various Asset Managers, Investment Banks, Hedge Funds, Private Equity Firms and other investment professionals to provide custom workflow solutions.
Advice for Students: I think one of the greatest things about Conn is the ability to develop meaningful relationships with professors and faculty. I have met so many wonderful people who have provided invaluable insights and advice. I would encourage all students to work hard in building and maintaining relationships with them as it will not only help in the classroom, but in future careers as well.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank my mom, dad and my brother for providing constant support, none of it would have been possible without them. I also want to thank Coach Burk, Coach Storton and Coach Elliot for the support on the field as well as Noel Garrett and Professor Yongjin Park for their support and guidance in the classroom.
Lily Menorah Rosan – Saratoga Springs, NY.
Majors: Government and Classical Studies
Minor: Psychology
Pathway: Peace and Conflict
Campus Involvements: Co-Head Captain of CC Mock Trial Club, Gov/IR Student Advisory Board, Latin Language Peer Tutor, Figure Skating Club
Why Conn: I chose Conn four years ago because I knew I wanted a small liberal arts school with excellent academics. I love the close-knit community and small class sizes, and our campus is beautiful.
Academic Interests: I always planned to major in Government when I arrived at Conn. I’ve been extremely interested in politics and public policy for as long as I can remember, so it was the obvious choice. I originally planned to minor in Latin, which I started taking in high school, but in the spring of my sophomore year, I ended up switching to a Classical Studies major so that I could study abroad at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies in Rome, Italy. I’m minoring in Psychology mostly because I find it interesting and enjoy taking classes in Psych and Neuroscience. Lastly, I declared the Peace and Conflict Pathway because I thought it would be a fun and interesting way to draw connections between all my different areas of discipline.
Future Plans: I’m taking a year or two off to work after graduation, and then I plan to attend law school. I want to work in public interest law, either in legal aid work or for an advocacy organization like the ACLU. In the meantime, I just started a position working as an LSAT tutor for a company called Blueprint Test Prep, and am looking at positions with non-profits like Americorps and the Legal Aid Society.
Advice for Students: My advice for being academically successful at Conn is to get involved and communicate with your professors. We’re really lucky to have amazing professors and staff who want to help students succeed. Go to office hours to introduce yourself and talk about your interests, go to the Career Center, attend department events, ask faculty about getting involved in their research, etc. If you treat college as one long networking experience, you’ll be able to form lasting relationships with mentors and get to participate in opportunities that will enrich your classroom experience.
Shoutouts: I want to say a big thank you to my major advisors Professor Phillips and Professor Levin, as well as Deb Brunetti in the Career Center. They’re all awesome and I definitely would not have been able to do as well academically without their help and support.
Daviel Schulman – New Rochelle, New York
Majors: English and Sociology
Minor: Latin American and Latino Studies
Campus Involvements: Managing Editor of The College Voice; Treasurer of Hillel; Senior Admission Fellow; Writing Tutor
Why Conn: When I was a tour guide, I always told my tour groups that I chose Conn because it checked off all of my boxes: ideal distance from home, beautiful green campus, excellent liberal arts classes, vibrant arts culture, small size, and no Greek life. I can confidently say that these boxes have remained filled throughout my four years at Conn and that I gained even more than I expected from my college experience.
Academic Interests: I knew I wanted to major in English before I started college, as reading and writing were always passions of mine. However, my second major in Sociology came as a surprise. Taking Introduction to Sociology changed my perspective and led to my infatuation with the field. The combination of English and Sociology has encouraged me to develop my editorial skills while deepening my social content knowledge, both important for my future in journalism. My minor in Latin American Studies results from a conglomerate of Spanish classes I took in high school, at Conn, and during my semester abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Future Plans: About a week after graduation, I will be participating in the 2025 POLITICO Journalism Institute, a competitive 10-day training program in political reporting. Afterwards, I plan to complete a news internship in New York City and/or begin a full-time job in journalism (TBD). My long-term goal is to become an education reporter, writing about important issues in the American education system.
Advice for Students: We are lucky to attend a school that offers such a diverse variety of courses, so I recommend taking full advantage! If you choose courses that genuinely interest you, the work will not feel so much like real work. Having a healthy work-life balance is difficult but essential; never sacrifice your personal wellbeing to turn in an assignment. I highly recommend making use of the Hale Center for Career Development; the career advisors are great resources.
Shoutouts: I would like to give a special thanks to Rabbi Susan, Professor Strabone, Professor Rushin, Professor Pez, Summar West, and Cheryl Banker.
Lily Rene Weisbart – Boulder, Colorado
Major: Film
Minors: Music and Theater
Campus Involvements: CC Film Club Vice President
Why Conn: I decided on Connecticut College because I wanted to go to a liberal arts college on the East Coast. I wanted a liberal arts education because I have a lot of passions and I didn’t want to get stuck in an overly structured program. I love the East Coast because I have a lot of family nearby and grew up going to New York and Connecticut over the summer.
Academic Interests: I have wanted to be a film major since my sophomore year of high school when I took my first multimedia course, but I got my passion for making videos in middle school when I first discovered iMovie. Music and theater are the reasons I wanted to go to a liberal arts college. I have a lot of passion for both and didn’t want to give either up to focus on film, even though I’m not intending to pursue a career related to either.
Future Plans: I don’t currently have a plan, so I will be going home to Colorado before moving to New York City for work. I am interested in many aspects of the film industry, but I will probably end up being a production assistant, while I serve my time on the bottom of the totem pole. I love writing and I will continue to pursue my own creative endeavors, probably while working a service industry job of some kind.
Advice for Students: My advice for students on how to be successful is to just do your work. I say this as a girl who didn’t do her homework consistently until her senior year of high school, just do your work and you will feel so much better day to day. Do it ahead of time when you can, but don’t be afraid to utilize the pressure of a deadline as motivation. Doing something fun and/or relaxing is just as important as doing work. Don’t be afraid to take a break and don’t force yourself to work when you don’t feel like it.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank all of my many advisors for signing the plethora of forms I have brought to them over these past years and I would like to thank the professors who improved my skills in the things I am comfortable doing. I would also like to thank the professors of the classes that were completely out of my comfort zone, for making your classes still accomplishable and interesting.
Melanie Williams – Portsmouth, Rhode Island
Majors: Human Development and English Double Major
Pathway: Creativity
Why Conn: I chose to come to Connecticut College because of the Human Development program and the Child Development Lab School. I was excited about the hands-on, volunteer-based approach to learning about child and human development. The small class sizes and personal connection to professors and staff also attracted me to Connecticut College.
Academic Interests: I chose to major in Human Development because I am very interested in child development and the way that education intersects with physical and psychological development. Human development courses gave me the opportunity to volunteer at the Lab School and see the theories learned in class play out in a real-world environment. On top of that, I chose a major in English to pursue my interests in creative writing and to understand the use of literature in educational settings. The creativity pathway allowed me to blend my two majors with a focus on the use of children’s literature in a child’s development.
Future Plans: After graduating I intend to work in a field that allows me to work hands-on with children while pursuing my interest in children’s literature. I hope to work towards the collective goal of making books accessible and equitable for all children whether that be in school systems or public library settings.
Advice for Students: My advice to students at Conn would be to make connections with your professors and advisors. The most influential points of my education at Conn have centered around my mentors and professors. The small class sizes are such a privilege and professors are always willing to give advice and guidance no matter the topic. I have found that connecting with professors has allowed me to understand my own academic interests and passions while also giving me the support I needed to succeed in my classes.
Shoutouts: I would like to thank those mentors and professors who helped me be successful across my four years here at Conn. Professor Jefferson Singer and Professor Loren Marulis have given me endless guidance and confidence to pursue what I am passionate about.
*Note: Responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.
