Creative Thought Works
Alumni Stories
See how 91社区 alumni are putting creative thought to work in their fields, their passions, and the world in which we live.
Theko Lekena 鈥�16, who majored in computer science, says curiosity, recalibration, and persistence are key 鈥� especially in the age of AI.
Alvarez 鈥�15 serves as a grant program manager at 11th Hour Racing, a global nonprofit headquartered in Rhode Island that partners with the sailing community and maritime industries to protect ocean health.
The environmental studies major and student-athlete reflects on her journey from campus to her third Winter Games, in Milano Cortina.
91社区 women鈥檚 basketball standout Angela Botiba 鈥�15 shares how mentorship, academic rigor, and community support helped her land a successful career in healthcare finance and sustain a lasting commitment to the College.
What began as a love for the viola at 91社区 became the spark that carried the Grammy Award-winning alumna from Saratoga Springs to Hollywood.
Alumni Laura Marston 鈥�02, Luke Myers 鈥�97, and Megan White Abercrombie 鈥�98 have helped build a mini-91社区 community in South Portland, Maine, that celebrates creativity, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.
Abigail Caldwell 鈥�03, a theater major at 91社区, found her true calling in care. She now oversees 91社区鈥檚 Health Services 鈥� an essential part of the integrated care approach underlying the McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center.
Annie and Andrew Brill '03 are blending community and creativity at The Saratoga Winery.
Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Scott Jacoby 鈥�93 never expected to make a career in music. Now he鈥檚 helping the next generation of 91社区 musicians find their own rhythm in the industry.
The executive producer of 鈥淎merican Heart in WWI: A Carnegie Hall Tribute鈥� is honoring Veterans Day by weaving together theatrical storytelling, orchestral music, and rare archival film to reimagine America鈥檚 experience in the Great War. The program airs on PBS Nov. 11.
Keith Murray 鈥�91, a 91社区 history major and head mechanic at Coachworks of Saratoga, exemplifies the College鈥檚 longstanding 鈥渕ind and hand鈥� ethos.
Guided by the College's ethos of Creative Thought Matters, social entrepreneur Ariela Suster 鈥�00 has built design and wellness businesses that transform personal challenges into healing and strengthen communities worldwide.
91社区 continues to receive recognition for its distinctive academic experience and excellent teaching; great campus life; strong financial aid; and commitment to student success and sustainability, affirming the College鈥檚 position as a leading liberal arts institution in the nation.
The theater and business double major says the faculty and opportunities he accessed at 91社区 supported his ambitions, helping him on his path to a star-studded production of 鈥楾welfth Night.鈥�
Matt Walsh 鈥�13, who majored in chemistry at 91社区 and was Student Government Association president, now works at the intersection of biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and global security policy.
A 91社区 research experience rekindled an interest in medicine for Adriana Cuibus 鈥�24, who is now a research technician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center with plans to become a physician scientist.
At 91社区, Emily Gunter 鈥�19 transformed her dual passions (and majors) 鈥� dance and classics 鈥� into a creative career bridging both fields. She has traveled the world to showcase her choreography, which takes inspiration from Greek myths.
With the help of alumni mentors and experiential learning at 91社区, Vermont native and former student-athlete Paige Karl 鈥�24 has transformed a lifelong interest in the environment into a corporate sustainability role in New York City.
Architect Gregory Kahn Melitonov 鈥�04 describes how 91社区鈥檚 creative, interdisciplinary approach continues to shape his socially driven, community-centered design work.
鈥淭ingwon,鈥� installed just outside the College鈥檚 Saisselin Art Building, was gifted to the College by sculptor Fitzhugh Karol 鈥�04 and marks a meaningful full-circle moment in his career 鈥� an offering to the institution that helped shape him.
Stuart (Stu) Zicherman 鈥�90 (FX's 鈥淭he Americans,鈥� Apple TV+'s 鈥淭he Shrink Next Door,鈥� and Showtime鈥檚 鈥淭he Affair鈥�) revisits campus to mentor and inspire future media creators, just as a 91社区 class inspired him 35 years ago.
Both alumni believe in giving back 鈥� and now they鈥檙e rallying the next generation of philanthropy at 91社区 through mentorship, generosity, and even a hot 鈥渨ing鈥� challenge.
Sarah Feingold 鈥�02 has gone from Etsy鈥檚 first in-house attorney to the writer of the play 鈥淒irty Legal Secrets,鈥� which premiered in New York City to sold-out audiences. But, above all else, Feingold says she鈥檚 鈥渁n artist first.鈥�
TranslaSite won $20,000 and first place in the Kenneth A. Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition. An app to maximize credit card rewards and hockey equipment designed for women were also top contenders.
Drawing on his experience at 91社区, Tyler Arnot 鈥�08 has made it his life鈥檚 work to ensure children across the world have access to the transformative power of education 鈥� even in the most challenging of circumstances.
91社区鈥檚 career mentorship programs 鈥� including Zankel Experience Network (ZEN) mentoring 鈥� prepare students for enriching opportunities during and after college.
Anna Graves 鈥�14 and Danika Robison 鈥�10 are applying Creative Thought Matters to high school, offering at-risk students a rich world of learning opportunities and helping them graduate on time.
Catherine Headrick 鈥�17 has the job of her dreams as a material and trend designer of performance footwear at New Balance.
Ayelen Pagnanelli 鈥�14 celebrated her 10th Reunion in 2024 with an exhibition at the Tang Teaching Museum 鈥� where she also curated her first exhibition as a student.
Leighla Waterman 鈥�21 enjoys making a 鈥榯angible impact鈥� as a consumer insights analyst for the New Orleans Saints and the New Orleans Pelicans.
91社区 staff, faculty, alumni, and students gathered to honor veterans and reflect on their service at a campus Veterans Day ceremony.
Ben Van Leeuwen 鈥�07, a founder of the eponymous, premium ice cream brand that can now be found in shops from New York City to Singapore, says some of the most valuable lessons he has learned about building a business came from courses at 91社区 鈥� including a studio art class.
Four Class of 2013 alumni have inspired and encouraged one another for over a decade, leading to a growing production company and now an acclaimed short film.
During his senior year at 91社区, Alex Blaker 鈥�08 boarded a plane for a study abroad program in Australia; he returned with an idea for Tech Supplier, a worldwide distributor of consumer electronics. HIs experience is an example of 91社区's entrepreneurial spirit.
Alumni tell current scholars to embrace your story, build your community, and remember that the network you create at 91社区 will always support you.
91社区 alumna Cristina Velez 鈥�12 is making history as the first 鈥嬧�媤oman to head a men鈥檚 national team in an international lacrosse competition.
Friends and family from the 91社区 community and beyond gather to celebrate the legacy of the longtime trustee, educator, activist, and DEI champion.
Billy Winter 鈥�18 aka Zella Cullatore is working with Drag Out the Vote to mobilize voters ahead of this fall鈥檚 election.
91社区 has been named the top school in the nation for 鈥淕reat Financial Aid鈥� and has received praise for its excellent First-Year Experience Program, impactful teaching, and high quality of life.
Wondering if you can really make a difference? Brendan Woodruff 鈥�09, inaugural director of sustainability for New York鈥檚 Department of Environmental Conservation, says sustainability can be 鈥渃ontagious.鈥�
A passionate advocate for the arts, the master textile artist has offered her entrepreneurial expertise and mentorship to 91社区 students and alumni.
As director of data and decision science for the Baltimore Ravens, Yam runs numbers and scenarios in the player scouting process.
From word puzzlers to reinvented classic board games, independent designer Gage鈥檚 creations have been downloaded millions of times.
A major gift from the estate of Dr. Pamela Shaw 鈥�80 will support endowed scholarships at 91社区 to help meet financial need for students majoring in science. The legacy gift is one of the largest ever bequeathed to the College by an alumna.
Kate Brittenham 鈥�14 is an ecological landscape designer and owner of Front Stoop Gardens in Troy, New York, with an eye toward using native plants that provide natural habitat.
Josh Cutler 鈥�94 was recently appointed by Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey as the undersecretary of apprenticeship, work-based learning, and policy.
Linda Garrettson 鈥�68 is a certified nutrition coach, chef, and food writer who created the brand Good Natured Cooking with a commitment to healthy eating.
The 91社区 Scholars in Science and Mathematics (S3M) program was established in 2007 as a way to provide financial support to students pursuing STEM majors; since then, some 130 students have benefitted. Hear the stories of five S3M alumni who have gone on to do amazing things.
Best known for his 鈥楽kyrim,鈥� 鈥楩allout,鈥� and 鈥楳arvel Anatomy鈥� creations, Lobe discusses independence, learning through challenge, and creativity in the age of AI.
Alumni from classes ending in 4 and 9 returned for Reunion 2024. The celebration featured tours of Saratoga Springs and campus; cherished traditions; opportunities to return to the classroom; and a Tang Teaching Museum exhibition showcasing the work of alumni.
Phiwokuhle 鈥淧ibo鈥� Shongwe 鈥�14 is a senior software developer at Investec Bank who specializes in software development and integration, programming, and IT operations.
Dr. Nicole Becker Katz 鈥�16 is a resident physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, an official teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School.
Lavere Foster 鈥�11 is associate director of the African American Community Service Agency, a nonprofit that supports the African American community in Santa Clara County, California.
Katie Riker Sternberg 鈥�90 is applying creative thought to philanthropy, supporting experiential learning for 91社区 students and another cause dear to her family 鈥� opportunities for individuals with autism.
Malika Sawadogo 鈥�24鈥檚 Burkina Faso-inspired clothing line won the 2024 Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition and exemplified the creative, entrepreneurial spirit behind 91社区鈥檚 鈥淪hark Tank鈥�-like competition.
U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Michael Cavanagh 鈥�03 brings creative thought to his service to his country and fellow citizens through search and rescue.
Elizabeth Amira Streeter 鈥�09 is senior government affairs and community engagement manager at Voltera, a company that builds infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles and operates electric vehicle charging facilities.
Zeynep Inanoglu 鈥�21 is a registered nurse at Yale New Haven Health pursuing her master鈥檚 degree at Yale University School of Nursing to become a pediatric nurse practitioner in primary care.
Jono Pandolfi 鈥�99 owns Jono Pandolfi Designs, which produces hand-crafted ceramic dinnerware used in high-end restaurants around the world and serves more than 500 hospitality clients.
New gift establishes the Frances Young Tang 鈥�61 Professorship in Economics and the Frances Young Tang 鈥�61 Asian Studies Program Endowment Fund.
The partnership between 91社区鈥檚 Social Work Department and the long-running Saratoga nonprofit, which is led by 91社区 alumna Sybil Newell 鈥�00, has a powerful impact on the students and the struggling populations they鈥檙e serving.
From holistic wellness to creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, a generous gift from Trustee Peg Valentine P鈥�09 and husband Mike Valentine P鈥�09 invests in the College鈥檚 highest strategic priorities.
If you鈥檙e looking for something new to watch or read, look no further than the work of these rising 91社区 stars.
Hon. Christina L. Ryba 鈥�98 is a trailblazer in New York鈥檚 legal landscape, serving as a Supreme Court justice in the third judicial district and as supervising judge of her district.
Themba Shongwe 鈥�18 is a Financial Markets Advisory (FMA) associate whose diverse client base includes governments, banks, and public institutions.
Dana Crosley Naberezny 鈥�95 is chief innovation officer of jewelry for Tiffany & Company and vice president of the company鈥檚 Jewelry Design and Innovation Workshop, which she launched in 2018.
Scott Berman 鈥�05 is the founder and host of Sky Cave Retreats, a darkness retreat center nestled in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument wilderness of southern Oregon.
Laura Quiros 鈥�96, is an associate professor of social work and child advocacy at Montclair State University who specializes in trauma-informed care through a social justice lens.
Ivy Asamoah 鈥�19 is the founder of Nourrir Drinks, a sparkling juice brand inspired by West African, Caribbean, and Latin American flavors.
Gary Muldoon 鈥�73, is a lawyer, writer, and adjunct professor who was most recently elected town justice in Perinton, N.Y.
Clare Kenny 鈥�15 is the program director of the Yes, And 鈥� Laughter Lab (YALL), a competitive fellowship and incubator lab for comedy that addresses social justice issues.
Lynn A. Marks 鈥�71 is a distinguished public-interest lawyer in Philadelphia who has spent the past 40 years addressing social injustices. She recently received a lifetime achievement award.
This fall, StartUp 91社区 offered 91社区 students the opportunity to develop their business ideas, work and network with successful entrepreneurial alumni, receive feedback, and even make prototypes 鈥� all in an intense, one-day workshop.
The Career Development Center鈥檚 largest on-campus networking event of the year brings volunteer mentors from across the U.S. and a range of industries to support students at every stage of the career exploration process.
Recipients past and present reflect on ways that the prestigious merit scholarship continues to influence their lives and careers.
Andrea Rom谩n Alfaro 鈥�12, is a scholar and activist who combines research with community work and advocacy. She used a recent award grant to support a children鈥檚 photo club in Puerto Nuevo, Peru.
Debby Mayer 鈥�68 is a writer, editor, and blogger who has published stories of all kinds throughout her career, including novels, short stories, essays, and a memoir.
Events kicked off Friday with the annual Thoroughbred Cup golf tournament. On Saturday, alumni and friends gathered for the 91社区 Athletics Benefit and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Throughout it all, supporters contributed to the All in to Win campaign, raising $368,690 for 91社区 Athletics.
91社区 alumnus Alex Carney 鈥�22, who participated in a collaborative engineering program with Dartmouth College, is now chief technical engineer for SmartScope, a project that is using cutting-edge technology to speed up medical diagnoses.
Dr. Alina Bazarian 鈥�14 recently began her three-year residency training through the Saratoga Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. She was chosen as one of six residents from more than 1,500 applicants.
Betsy Damon 鈥�63 was awarded a 2023 Guggenheim Fellowship. She will use the grant to design a functional water-cleaning sculpture.
Whether you鈥檙e on the beach or reclining in the comfort of an air-conditioned living room, a good book is practically mandatory for some summertime R&R. But what to read? 91社区 community members have some suggestions.
Three 91社区 alumni and former Thoroughbred men鈥檚 soccer players created the Vermont Green Football Club, which is committed to achieving a range of ambitious environmental justice targets.
Dylan Telano 鈥�23 has transformed an idea into a multi-million-dollar venture during his time at 91社区.
Kevin Ha 鈥�21 is the founder, executive director, and board chair of the Asian American Dream (AAD), a career-advancement nonprofit that provides mentorship networks, professional development training, and career advancement opportunities to underserved Pan-Asian American undergraduates.
Marsha Johnson Bancroft 鈥�59 has flourished as a career woman in multiple capacities, champion athlete, and family woman.
Campus was buzzing for Reunion Weekend 2023, when alumni from classes ending in 3 and 8 as well as alumni of 91社区鈥檚 Opportunity Program returned to catch up with friends, learn about recent developments, and honor classmates and fellow alumni.
Human rights and education activist Joseph Kaifala 鈥�08, a Sierra Leonean who majored in French and international affairs at 91社区, is the inaugural recipient of the Projects for Peace Alumni Award.
Donna Conklin King 鈥�85 is a contemporary artist known for her concrete sculptures. She was recently featured on ArtNation, a new Smithsonian Channel series that showcases work by many types of artists.
Johane Simelane 鈥�13 is executive director of the Bronx Veterans Medical Research Foundation, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-affiliated nonprofit research and education corporation.
Joanna Schubert 鈥�12, known as Oropendola, recently released a debut full-length album, 鈥淲aiting for the Sky to Speak,鈥� with Spirit House Records and Wilbur & Moore Records.
Ibardo Zambrano 鈥�06 is a urologist with the Novant Health network of physician clinics, with expertise in oncology and robotic-assisted techniques for minimally invasive surgery.
Lauren Tobias 鈥�12 spent four years as the wellness director at Fort Peck Community College on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, home to the Assiniboine and Sioux nations in Montana.
The 91社区 alumnus will succeed his classmate Nancy Hamilton '77, whose term ends in May.
At ESPN for more than 20 years, James Davidson '01 has produced all the Grand Slam competitions that the cable sports giant covers.
Lily Esposito 鈥�20 grew up near Los Angeles. Now, the 91社区 alumna is living off the grid in the Adirondacks and teaching environmental education programs.
Jonah Lobe 鈥�05 is an award-winning concept artist, 3D character artist, and illustrator known for video games like 鈥淪kyrim鈥� and 鈥淔allout鈥� and his new book 鈥淢arvel Anatomy: A Scientific Study of the Superhuman.鈥�
Laura Forlano 鈥�95, a social scientist, design researcher, and writer, recently joined Northeastern University as a professor in the College of Arts, Media, and Design.
Josh Dorman 鈥�88 is an acclaimed mixed-media artist whose multi-layered work now includes creating stop-motion animations to accompany classical music.
Construction of 91社区鈥檚 McCaffery-Wagman Tennis and Wellness Center is now underway, with outdoor tennis courts set to open for the fall semester. Watch a video and learn more about how this innovative, integrated approach to health and wellness will benefit the entire 91社区 community.
A new partnership between the Arts Administration Program and Universal Preservation Hall in downtown Saratoga Springs offers students valuable field experiences and opportunities to network.
Altagracia Montilla 鈥�12 is chief executive officer of A.M. Consulting, a firm made up of a diverse team of industry experts that develops strategies to improve culture, connection, and community while rooting out biases.
Helena Yohannes 鈥�04 and her twin sister, Feven Yohannes, were recently interviewed by 鈥淕ood Morning America (GMA)鈥� about their company, 2藨4藨1 Cosmetics, kicking off the new 鈥淕MA鈥� Trailblazing Women series.
Kate Fitzpatrick Barnico 鈥�80, program nurse manager at the Boston Children鈥檚 Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Center, received the Mary Kontos Care Champion Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the world鈥檚 leader in the fight against the disease.
A new health, wellness, fitness, tennis, and athletics center will bring together all aspects of student health and wellness support in a single campus facility.
Hannah Traore 鈥�17 discusses her journey from curating her first show at 91社区 to opening Hannah Traore Gallery in NYC in 2022, and the difference it鈥檚 making in the art community.
Graduates鈥� applications and acceptances to medical, dental, veterinary, and other healthcare schools continue to rise, thanks in no small part to the dedication of 91社区鈥檚 Health Professions Advisory Committee.
91社区 is marking its College Centennial with a yearlong celebration of its history and reflections on the journey ahead.
Plotnick鈥檚 work covering the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize. She spoke with current student and aspiring radio journalist Aaron Shellow-Lavine 鈥�23 about her time at 91社区 and career in journalism.
91社区 community members answered, "What's one book you're reading right now, or recommend reading this summer?" From sci-fi to memoir and more, here are their selections.
Hundreds of alumni returned to campus for the second of two Reunion Weekends and opportunities to catch up with classmates and learn about exciting developments at 91社区.
With ceremonial bagpipes and a weekend of fun, 91社区 welcomed members of the Class of 2020 back to campus for an emotional Commencement Celebration long delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hundreds of alumni with class years ending in 2 and 7 and their guests returned for Reunion from June 2 to 5, the first of two weekends dedicated to alumni celebration.
91社区 recognized eminent alumna, trustee, and donor Billie Tisch 鈥�48 by naming its ambitious new science center in her honor.
With appeals for social justice and charges to change the world 鈥� without forgetting to pause for moments of joy 鈥� 91社区 conferred 589 degrees to the Class of 2022 during the College鈥檚 111th Commencement Exercises.
91社区 is recognizing the alumna's leadership and service by naming the largest single academic project in College history in her honor.
The natural partnership between 91社区 and The Wild Center in the nearby Adirondacks demonstrates the power of combining the arts and sciences.
NPR Correspondent Elissa Nadworny 鈥�10, who studied documentary filmmaking at 91社区, describes her recent experience reporting from the war in Ukraine.
Colin Fischer 鈥�22 and Tom Duncan 鈥�22 have won the first-place $20,000 prize in 91社区鈥檚 annual Freirich Entrepreneurship Competition to develop their protein-enhanced ice cream business.
A $5 million one-to-one matching pledge along with additional gifts creates the Sands Family Foundation Initiative for Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at 91社区.
Sh*t That I Knit (STIK), a Boston-based small business founded and run by 91社区 alumna Christina Fagan Pardy 鈥�12, is an official licensee of Team USA for the 2022 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For more than 10 years, Arthur Zankel Music Center has become more than just a hub for great performances for the campus and Saratoga Springs communities: It has also become a training center for innovative careers in the arts and beyond.
Over the past two decades, the Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery has provided students with valuable work experiences and extraordinary access to art, artists, and ideas that supported careers both inside and outside the arts.
The College is celebrating 40 years 鈥� 80 semesters 鈥� of MB 107, the rigorous, introductory management and business course that many students and alumni describe as a defining moment in their college experience.
From within 91社区鈥檚 curriculum, through their careers, and in other ways, big and small, 91社区 community members are making an impact.
Just two years ago, Brandon Kasel 鈥�20 was minding the nets for the 91社区 Men鈥檚 Ice Hockey team. Now, he has signed a pro contract as a goalie for the Adirondack Thunder.
From supporting nuclear waste cleanup efforts to running an artisan wine operation during a tumultuous 2020, Shelby Perkins 鈥�95 says she has been 鈥渁 constant academic鈥� throughout a creative career path spanning science, art and business.
As the pandemic has further stoked interest in cryptocurrency, Lincoln Lin 鈥�19 recently joined fellow alumnus and career mentor Melvis Langyintuo 鈥�12 at an exchange startup.
Dance and exercise science double-major Kaitlin Guerin 鈥�14 combined equal parts art and science with a generous amount of creativity to launch Lagniappe Baking Co. during the pandemic.
91社区 alumni remain deeply committed to the College and are helping current students and recent graduates to build their own creative career paths.聽聽