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What is a treasured Dickinson memory? One of my most treasured memories at Dickinson was my experience studying abroad in Bologna, Italy. There, I was immersed in Italian culture and had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the language. That experience allowed me to travel to a new country with other Dickinsonians, continue to receive support from Dickinson faculty members, and explore what it meant to be a global citizen. My time in Bologna was particularly rewarding as I volunteered at a soup kitchen and worked as an English teaching assistant at a local high school, creating a deep connection with the local community. My time abroad exemplifies what it means to be a Dickinsonian—embracing intellectual curiosity, fostering global citizenship, and actively engaging within various communities.

Why did you apply for the YAT position? I applied for the Young Alumni Trustee position because I firmly believe in the transformative power of education and the crucial role that institutions like Dickinson play in shaping future leaders. Throughout my time as a student, I realized that Dickinson’s mission of a sustainable, global education deeply resonated with me, and many of my experiences reflect that mission. As someone who benefited immensely from my time at Dickinson, I wanted to give back to the college community and ensure that current and future students have access to the same opportunities that I had.

What does it mean to you to serve as a YAT? Serving as a Young Alumni Trustee is a tremendous honor. It signifies a unique opportunity to deepen my connection with Dickinson and contribute to its continued growth and success. It is a way to act as a voice for students and advocate for their interests and concerns at the highest level of governance within the college. It is also a way to actively engage with fellow trustees to address the recent challenges facing higher education and to identify opportunities for Dickinson’s growth. Serving as the YAT is ultimately an opportunity to learn immensely, uphold Dickinson’s legacy, and meaningfully shape the future of the institution.

What is a treasured Dickinson memory? One of my most treasured memories from Dickinson was taking Professor David O’Connell’s Religion in American Politics Course. Not only was that course essential in developing a deeper understanding of American political behavior, but it served as a forum for thoughtful reflection on my preexisting beliefs. Countless times, I remember engaging in meaningful dialogue with students of different political and religious perspectives. I greatly valued this exposure to new ways of thinking and believed this class helped me grow personally and academically.

Why did you apply for the YAT position? I applied to be the next YAT because this college changed my life in ways I never imagined, and I wanted to be part of the community that helped make my Dickinson experience a reality. When I arrived at Dickinson, I had a completely different view of the purpose of higher education. I saw it as a means to an end - a way to obtain a degree. However, throughout my time at Dickinson, I developed a new way of thinking. Dickinson showed me the value of education for intellectual curiosity - as both the means and the end. Dickinson made me a more engaged citizen and passionate learner, and I wanted to give back to the place that made me who I am today.

What does it mean to you to serve as a YAT? Serving as the next YAT means an opportunity to engage more closely with the incredible individuals who shape Dickinson and make it the wonderful place it is. It means a chance to understand my classmates' needs better and act as the link between the student body and the Board of Trustees. It means a responsibility to become fully informed about the unique needs facing liberal arts colleges and apply what I learn for the betterment of the college. I am truly honored and humbled to serve in this position

What is a treasured Dickinson memory? It's really difficult to choose one treasured memory, but I will say that one of my favorite parts of being on campus was running into friends, faculty and staff who became important members of my Dickinson experience on my way to class, work or club meetings. Those quick hellos that sometimes would turn into deep check-ins always gave me perspective and reminded me that there is more to life than the daily stresses of balancing everything. It helped me realize that the experiences that would stand out to me years after post grad would not be about the numerous papers I wrote or the exams I stressed out about, but the people and the lessons I learned from them.

Why did you apply for the YAT position? So much of my Dickinson experience was dedicated to making the college better, whether that was formally through extracurriculars or informally through my interactions with other members of the Dickinson community. I was able to hear various perspectives from students, faculty, staff and alumni throughout my time at Dickinson, and I knew those perspectives would be critical when considering the impact of strategic planning in the future. Applying for the YAT position felt like a natural progression, and I knew I could offer my experiences and perspective where it would matter the most.

What does it mean to you to serve as a YAT? I feel a sense of responsibility for sharing the student perspective but also staying connected with current students who have navigated a pandemic-filled undergrad with so many uncertainties. This is such a transitional time for the college, and my hope is that I can add perspective as we plan for the future while continuing to advocate for the people who make up the Dickinson community. Serving as the YAT also is a tremendous opportunity for my own personal growth and professional development. It is rare to be placed among several well experienced and highly successful individuals right out of college. I would say it usually takes people their entire careers to have access to the wealth of expertise and perspective present on the board. This is something I don't take for granted, and I look forward to learning and growing over the next two years.

What is a treasured Dickinson memory? The moments that stand out to me the most at Dickinson are the ones that I took for granted while they were happening. Things like saying hi and bye to people as you pass by them in the HUB or sitting down anywhere on campus and having people approach you is what I will always treasure about my experience at Dickinson. Moments that are impossible to get back but that will forever change the way I think about relationships and how I forge them moving forward. 

Why did you apply for the YAT position? My experiences at Dickinson have shown me that from the facilities worker to the first-year student, to the president of the college, we are one community growing and changing together. It was my understanding of that oneness that we all share that pushed me to apply for the YAT position. Apart from my abundant involvement with the college and its constituents, I recognized that it was the understanding of the Dickinson community that was the drive for change and that without that opinion most of the thoughts or ideas being implemented would be missing a key piece of why we do the things we do.

What does it mean to you to serve as a YAT? It is more than an honor to serve as the new YAT. It is an opportunity to serve beyond the limestone apart from any financial contributions while being part of something that is truly bigger than myself or what I experienced while at Dickinson. It is making sure that those that came immediately before me and those that come after me understand Dickinson to be a better place because of the insight that I am able to provide as a recent graduate.

What is a treasured Dickinson memory? This is a tough question. My most treasured memory was probably serving as the Spirit Chair for MOB and organizing MOB the Campus! I remember sitting in the Mary Dickinson Room planning each event and going out to buy the prizes. Though it took us about a month to plan and market the event, everyone on campus loved it. I think the best part was when people asked me about the dates for the following year.

Why did you apply for the YAT position?I felt it was a natural progression towards serving the college. I was prepared and capable of thinking critically and strategically about higher education and Dickinson's position in the industry. Having been involved with Admissions, Advancement, and MOB, I knew every perspective of the Dickinson experience whether it was for a prospective student, current student or alumni. I saw the Young Alumni Trustee position as an opportunity to vocalize our strengths while making sure that we took advantage of our areas of opportunity to sustain the college. I wanted to be able to have a lasting impact on the college and be surrounded by others who shared my passion for the college.

What does it mean to you to serve as a YAT? It's a humbling experience to have been selected as the Class of 2018's Young Alumni Trustee. Being chosen out of 26 peers to serve on Dickinson's governance board speaks a lot to the culture of the campus in terms of the value granted towards student's voice. The YAT position is not only a chance for me to bring a fresh perspective to the board but also an opportunity to lead the college towards longevity and increase the value to all stakeholders in the Dickinson community. I enjoyed my four years at Dickinson and I would like other students to do so as well.

What is a treasured Dickinson memory? My most treasured memory is sophomore spring. I took four classes in four separate departments - African Government & Politics, French Communication in Francophone Contexts, Criminal Procedure and Dealing with Data: Social Problems/Policy - and throughout the semester, I found incredible connections between all four classes and fields that shaped not only the rest of my degree, but helped define my plan beyond Dickinson. The liberal arts is designed for these connections and I chose Dickinson because I wanted to spend four years living at the nexus of all of my interests, but I was not expecting this so early in my college career. Aside from the classroom, I will forever treasure fall days on the academic quad, sitting in an Adirondack chair, watching the world of Dickinson go by.

Why did you apply for the YAT position? I applied for the Young Alumni Trustee position because I felt that it was the perfect extension of my service to Dickinson. During my tenure, I relished in the opportunity to be a part of our shared governance structure through Student Senate, as I learned the value of mentorship, the benefits of integrated decision-making and the importance of gathering all voices when addressing our community's challenges and progress. After four years on campus, I was ready to leave and utilize my education in the real world, however I wanted to stay connected as an alumna and saw the Young Alumni Trustee position as a way to so.

What does it mean to you to serve as a YAT? To serve as a YAT, to me, means to act as a conduit between students, campus leaders and the Board of Trustees. It is imperative that the Board hears from as many voices as possible, so that we can make informed choices and this position lies at the nexus of these groups. The Board is charged with ensuring the College's forward progression and longevity, and as a recent graduate, the Young Alumni Trustee is able to identify with students while communicating these ideas and concerns to this body. This position is an incredible opportunity for service leadership and professional growth and I am honored to serve as the class of 2017 representative.

Treasured Dickinson memory: There are many moments during my Dickinson career that changed my life. As a liberal arts student, I could never be asked to choose just one. My treasured academic memory is taking Professor Boback’s evolution class freshman year. He was the first of many professors in the department that inspired me to pursue a career in biology. My treasured non-academic memory is participating in a service trip to Alabama. It was on that trip that I discovered the most about myself and unintentionally shaped my remaining time at Dickinson.

Why did you apply for the Young Alumni Trustee position: I applied because I want future generations of Dickinsonians to have the same type of wonderful experiences and opportunities that I have had. I felt as though I had the skill set and network to ask challenging questions and actively participate in the most pertinent discussions facing the Dickinson community.

What does it mean to you to serve as a Young Alumni Trustee: Serving as a Young Alumni Trustee is an incredibly rewarding experience. Dickinson has given me so much in the past four years and it feels amazing to give back. Serving in this role means asking questions of yourself and your peers. It means discussing current and future issues facing the college and putting Dickinson as your primary non-profit interest for your two-year term and ideally, for the rest of your life.

Treasured Dickinson memory: My most treasured Dickinson memory is the first moment I stepped on to campus. I am from California and my parents had the brilliant idea of bringing me to campus in February in order to scare me away from the East Coast. What they did not know is that Dickinson in February looks like a snow globe. My first view of campus was through the High Street Dickinson arch looking on to the academic quad. My parents were rambling on about the distance from home and how cold it was but the second we entered the academic quad we were silenced by the beauty and power of the campus and the realization that this is where I would spend my next four years.

Why did you apply for the Young Alumni Trustee position: I wanted to get active right away as an engaged alumni, in a meaningful way. My Dickinson educational experience, the administrators and professors that I've built lasting friendships with, and my peers left an indelible mark on me. The Young Alumni Trustee position was a way to give back to the college community and would allow me to add value to the college.

What does it mean to you to serve as a Young Alumni Trustee: It meant being a part of something bigger than myself. Serving on the board as the Young Alumni Trustee deepened my affinity and connection to the college. While serving on the board, I spent quite some time thinking about the college and learning about the various internal and external pressures facing the institution. That mindset isn't something than can be turned off easily.