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As the Class of 2023 prepares to cross the stage on May 15 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, graduating students from the social sciences shared their plans for the future and reflected on their most memorable moments from their time at �������—from meaningful mentorship from professors to career-altering courses to unforgettable extracurricular experiences. See more from the Class of 2023 in the natural sciences and arts and humanities.

Hannah Cahill ’23, Political Science

Westchester campus

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Post-grad plans: ������� hasn’t seen the last of me yet! I am planning to return to our Pleasantville campus this coming fall to begin my MS in mental health counseling.

What has been most memorable about your time at �������?

The most memorable things about my time at ������� have been the countless opportunities to discover new things about myself and the world around me. I attended Model United Nations conferences with the Political Science Department, I watched Broadway shows with the Honors College, I performed disability studies research, I began learning American Sign Language, I even wrote a children’s book! Anything I wanted to experience or try my hand at, ������� facilitated!

Why did you pursue your major/degree program?

I chose to pursue a degree in political science because it is a discipline that is deeply rooted in the human experience and that also really emphasizes the value of discourse and critical thinking. I think this program has helped me become a more conscious global citizen, and I truly would not trade my experiences in this major for the world!

Victor M. Diaz ’23, Political Science, BA/Master of Public Administration

Westchester campus

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Post-grad plans: I am applying for several graduate fellowship opportunities in Washington, DC, as well as Albany, New York, and I will go wherever the wind takes me. The only thing that matters to me is that I can be in a position to help people and gain a deeper insight into the inner workings of institutions like the US Senate.

What has been most memorable about your time at �������?

There are so many memorable moments, but one that stands out to me was my first Model UN conference representing �������. I was only a first semester freshman, and I remember walking into the hotel where the conference was taking place and getting ready to debate on behalf of a country I had just started learning about less than 10 weeks prior. It was an unforgettable experience and one that truly shaped the rest of my time here at �������. I have since attended every Model UN conference possible until I became a graduate student.

Why did you pursue your major/degree program?

In reality, it’s because I want to serve the American people. I remember standing in the halls of the US Senate in 2017 and thinking, “I want to be here.” Not only to be there, but to help people navigate government, whether at the local, state, or federal level. I want to be that helping hand that makes government less frightening to people. I also love to be behind the scenes to see how institutions such as the US Senate operate, and that’s why I enjoyed my internship with the National Urban League, which �������’s Career Services helped me obtain. These experiences reinforced what I wanted to do; to be someone who gives a lending hand and helps those who need it in government.

Erin Dogan ’23, PsyD, School-Clinical Child Psychology

New York City campus

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Post-grad plans: I recently accepted a postdoctoral fellow position at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. I am very grateful and excited for the opportunity to continue my clinical training at the site where I completed both my externship and internship! My main goals continue to include working with diverse patient populations and developing my clinical flexibility.

Which faculty member(s) had the most impact on your experience?

Professor John Stokes has been an incredible teacher and mentor throughout my years at �������. His knowledge of and dedication to the field of psychology is beyond inspiring. Professor Stokes challenged me to push myself beyond what I believed my limits to be, and I am forever grateful for his ongoing support and encouragement. I would also like to thank all my professors in the Psychology Department. Your commitment to the field of psychology and investment in my education have motivated me to achieve beyond what I could have imagined.

Why did you pursue your major/degree program?

I was initially drawn to �������’s PsyD program because of its practitioner-scholar model. Having worked as a teacher for several years before dreaming up a career in psychology, I was ready to gain firsthand experience right from the beginning of my studies. �������’s PsyD program offered just that, and I feel fortunate to have had these practical experiences in the early days of my clinical training.

Tinuade Mcclish ’23, Psychology

Westchester campus

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Post-grad plans: I will be attending the University of Connecticut to get my PhD In Educational Psychology.

Which faculty member(s) had the most impact on your experience?

Professor Courtney Gosnell, who mentored me through undergraduate research and applying for graduate school; Professor Amy Levin, whose class in Psychology of Intimate Relationships is the reason I changed my major to Psychology; Professor Kate Mulhollem, who gave me my first job at ������� as a writing tutor, the first person to cultivate my writing skills and make me feel like I belong; Professor Dana Cadman who kept me writing creatively and encouraged me to nurture my arts just as much as my science.

What advice would you give students in their first and second years at �������?

������� is small in size, but not in opportunity. The experience is what you make it. Make it a goal to go out of your comfort zone each year and do things like talk to a faculty member about research or job positions, seek out volunteer opportunities for causes that are important to you, or join an e-board of a club you enjoy attending. All of these things will help you to build long-lasting relationships. Also, it’s easy to get busy and forget yourself in the process, so prioritize rest and self-care.

Jeremiah Williams ’23, Political Science

New York City campus

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What has been most memorable about your time at �������?

What has been the most memorable is the amount of exposure I had to opportunities I could only dream of. I met a notable figure of entertainment and influence in my life, Keke Palmer, in only my second week at ������� through the Center for Student Engagement, offering an experience to be a live studio audience member at a Good Morning America production, and since that moment, I knew that I had chosen an institution with the ability to reward students for their passion and efforts with invaluable memories through experiences.

Why did you pursue your major/degree program?

My generation, more often than not, equates politics and journalism to partisanship and people bickering on TV, and I want to change that. Too much is at stake to write off politics and the news as "areas of stress," and therefore areas to be avoided. Civil rights, basic democratic freedoms, and so many other issues remain at stake in the increasingly polarized times we find ourselves in. I firmly believe that we cannot tune out the process just because it gets messy and discouraging; to those who are underprivileged, overburdened, and systematically sidelined, I am committing my life to a career in advocating for you, not because I am any better or moral, but because it is the right thing to do, and I have the skills set and confidence to do it.