What's Next: Class of 2025
Hometown: Greenwood Village, Colo.
A class that changed me: This one class taught by [Associate Professor of Sociology] Matthew Grace, Sociology of Health and Illness, completely changed the trajectory of my academic journey in the best possible way. I changed my major from Biology to Sociology, explored and refined my interest in bioethics, medical ethics, and medical sociology. It helped me discover a new passion and discipline, and it taught me how to thoughtfully engage with, advocate for, and understand the various interactions in medicine. It has been the best decision I have ever made during my time at Hamilton.
My thesis, “Artificial Intelligence and Physicians: Perspectives, Experiences, and Resistance to Changing Dynamics in the Healthcare System,” is the culmination of everything I have learned as a sociologist, which this class was the catalyst for. I am much more confident in my communication skills — written or otherwise — and know that I am equipped to leave Hamilton as an engaged person who will think critically and create change in my corner of the world.
An influential Hamiltonian: Amy James! As the Director of the COOP, Amy (basically) single-handedly oversees all of the volunteer and outreach programs and activities on campus. Her kindness, compassion, and guidance since my second semester at Hamilton have been a constant source of inspiration and support.
As a Site Coordinator, I was able to build a community and weekly volunteer opportunities with Brookdale Senior Living. As co-director, I expanded and strengthened this community, learned how to be a better communicator and leader, refined my event planning skills, and have generated positive change both on and off campus. As a STEM Fellow, I gained the courage to propose and (successfully) pilot STEM outreach programs connecting Hamilton faculty with schools and students K-12. Additionally, I organized an on-campus Science Fair where students K-12 could come learn and explore the various subjects within the STEM fields.
None of this would have been possible without Amy James (and also Christina Strong and Janelle Perry in the Levitt Center!) and her inspiring me to be and do good every day.
My favorite Hamilton moment: Way too many! Two consecutive snow days, watching and listening to Former President Barack Obama and Flo Rida in the same space, and being able to witness men’s hockey win the NESCAC championship.
But the best and most precious moments are those that seem small and mundane: waving to people on Martin’s Way even if you’ve only had one class with them, going to a professor’s office hours and talking about everything from academics to life interests to cultural competency to being offered opportunities, studying outside with friends on a sunny day, taking walks down G-Road, and blasting music while getting ready with friends for a fun night out.
What’s next for me: After Hamilton, I will dedicate myself to studying for the MCAT. Afterwards, I will be in New York City or Providence as a medical assistant, or Boston as a clinical research coordinator. I will be applying to medical schools for matriculation in 2027. I have always known that I wanted to be a physician, and the reasons are many: the delicate balance between interpersonal intelligence and the precision and technicality required to properly care for patients, the ability to advocate for and understand patients and health in a holistic manner, resiliency, collaboration/teamwork between various providers, and more.
At Hamilton, I was involved in: HAVOC, COOP STEM Fellow, Days-Massolo Center Fellow, Asian Student Union (ASU), Pre-Professional Health Careers Club (Pre-Health Club), HEAT
Bristol Fellows Aim to Minimize Food Waste, Maximize Shark Populations
Thanks to Hamilton’s prestigious William M. Bristol, Jr. '17 Fellowship, two students received the $40,000 award to conduct research and travel the world: Sabina Feder ’25 (Interdisciplinary Studies; New York, N.Y.) and Brianna “Bri” Padilla ’25 (Biology, Art; Cooper City, Fla.).
Hometown: West Caldwell, N.J.
What I’m most proud of: How I carved out a path that was uniquely mine — blending data science and economics into something deeply practical and purpose-driven. Although it was tempting to go down the traditional path of working on Wall Street after Hamilton, I chose to follow my passion for innovation, strategy, and optimization — ultimately leading me to a role at Disney where I can combine analytical thinking with creativity to make an impact.
An unexpected experience: At first, I was focused on taking mainly mathematics, computer science, and economics classes at Hamilton, but I never thought I would take such a wide variety of courses through the open curriculum. Exploring everything from Chinese to Music in American Film pushed me to think more creatively and see connections across disciplines — it made me a better problem-solver and a more well-rounded thinker.
My favorite Hamilton moments: Presenting my senior thesis and realizing how far I’d come from [being] a nervous first-year to a confident researcher.
Another favorite memory was Friday afternoons on the math floor of CJ [Christian Johnson Hall], where I spent countless hours with friends grinding through homework before the long weekend. Whether we were tackling problem sets or catching up with our professor, it became a ritual that made even the toughest weeks feel rewarding.
An influential Hamiltonian: [Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Statistics] Clark Bowman, who taught my Senior Seminar in Applied Probability, had a major influence on my academic path. His enthusiasm for mathematical modeling and real-world problem solving sparked my interest in the field of optimization. Through his class, I gained not only a deeper appreciation for applied math, but also the confidence to pursue data-driven roles where I can tackle complex operational challenges.
When I came to Hamilton… I thought I’d head straight to graduate school for mathematics. But through courses in mathematics, economics, and computer science — as well as internships at a startup and Amazon — I discovered a passion for applying math in operational and strategic contexts. Those experiences, along with guidance from professors and alumni, helped me realize I could blend analytics, optimization, and creativity in a role.
What I learned about myself: I learned that I thrive when navigating ambiguity and solving open-ended problems. Whether it was working on an applied probability project, building a data pipeline during an internship, or scoping out my thesis with limited precedent, I realized I enjoy the challenge of turning complexity into clarity. That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue roles where I could use data to drive strategy and innovation.
What’s next for me: I’ll join The Walt Disney Company as a product development and strategy analyst in the Commercial Optimization team at Disney Experiences. The role involves optimizing product development pipelines, managing inventory strategies, and using data to drive novelty product decisions across global parks and resorts. I’m excited to apply my interest in optimization to real-world operations that enhance the guest experience on a massive scale.
At Hamilton, I was involved in: Student Assembly, Mathletes, Joan Hinde Stewart Career Development Program, AppDev at Hamilton, Gamelan Ensemble, Hamilton Rock Climbing, Community Outreach & Opportunity Project Tutoring Program, Multicultural Peer Mentoring Program
From: Coral Springs, Fla.
When I came to Hamilton… I thought I would follow the pre-med track as a biology major and work toward medical school. I quickly changed my mind in my freshman spring when that career no longer felt right for me. I added an economics course to my schedule for the following semester and ended up enjoying the subject. I stuck with it and declared both biology and economics as my majors. Having the ability to explore different subjects allowed me to discover how much I love contextualizing and connecting information, leading me to an interest in consulting.
An unexpected experience: I never expected to play rugby at Hamilton. It was not a sport I was entirely familiar with, and I was not even sure I was serious when I first mentioned I would join. Yet, somehow, over the span of three years, that team became my second family. Thanks to them, I was able to discover that I can do hard things and step outside of my comfort zone. I am so grateful for our Women's Rugby Football Club.
What’s Next? I am moving to Boston to work as an associate business consultant. My interests in problem-solving and learning motivated me to pursue this path.
At Hamilton, I was involved in: Women's Rugby, Club Water Polo, Oral Communications Center tutoring, teaching spin classes
Durben’s Published Research Challenges Assumptions About Autism
Recently published research by psychology and sociology major Deanna Durben ’25 (Bloomington, Minn.) challenges long-held assumptions about autism and offers community-informed insights for future scholarship. Her future plans include a Ph.D. in psychology or cognitive neuroscience.
From: Oakland, Calif.
Influential Hamiltonian: When I became a senior, I started working on my economics thesis with [Assistant Professor of Economics] Jeffrey Cross. He not only helped me develop my academic work, but became a friend and mentor to me and other members of my thesis group. He put so much effort into guiding our projects and understanding us as individuals. We went to Pub Trivia together, had spontaneous chats in his office, and to top it all off, had celebratory dinners and brunches at his home. To me, this was representative of his exceptional character, and the general willingness of Hamilton professors to build real, meaningful relationships with their students.
An unexpected experience: In high school, I played soccer and volleyball. When I got to Hamilton, I spent much of my freshman year devoted to Volleyball Club until the relative lack of competition made me look for an additional sport to do during sophomore year. I followed the advice of a friend and joined the Frisbee team. However, I was injured for the first month and a half of the season and couldn't attend. When I finally went, I was nervous – we had our first tournament in five days, I never played before, and my injury was still a little sore. While warming up, one of the captains, James Kaeser ’24, came up to me and said, "Hi Andreas! How's it going?" This simple hello meant the world – I had never met him before nor introduced myself. He knew my name because he took the time to care about the other people on the team, even those on the fringe.
It's telling that, after three years of bonding and playing together, when we lost our final point in our final tournament, I did not cry. I cried five minutes later when I made eye contact with each beloved teammate while bumping elbows in a line. It was not about winning or losing, but about the people I had met. I joined the team to compete. I did not join the team to fall in love with a group of people, but the culture, activities, and good character of all those involved won me over. They became my classmates, roommates, friends, and co-conspirators. Now, nearly all of the people I hope to remain my friends for life come from the Frisbee team. They mean the world to me, and I hope that anyone who joins the team in the future can feel as included as a nervous, half-injured student in October of their sophomore year.
A class that changed me: The most influential class I took was not one in my major or minor. It was Philosophy in Film, taught by [Associate Professor of Philosophy] Katheryn Doran. I've long enjoyed movies, their soundtracks, and the discussions and debates that come from watching them. The class structure was simple: watch a movie, talk about it the next day, write a few pages on it over the weekend, and discuss more in the next class before starting all over again. The emphasis was as such: how can a film, like a philosophical paper, present an argument or a viewpoint to the audience? All in all, I not only learned how to watch movies and understand their messages much better, but I also was able to discuss my arguments with a class of 15 other interested students. By the end, I was greatly enjoying movies that I never would have enjoyed before. From this class, I learned a new skill that I'll carry for life, and forever have a greater appreciation for the importance of art.
What’s next for me: I plan to move to New York City to pursue a career in the music business. I've always been passionate about music, and while I wouldn't want to try and make a career out of performance, I would still love to work around creative people who care about music, and to feel like I am somehow contributing to the release and enjoyment of music. While my future is relatively uncertain, I'm excited to face it, and see where it takes me.
At Hamilton, I was involved in: Club Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball Club, Band Club, tutoring at the QSR
Two Geosciences Majors, Two Watson Fellowships
Friends since their first year at Hamilton, Andrew Fredericks ’25 (Cornwall-on-Hudson, N.Y.) is heading to countries with exciting human evolutionary discoveries, while Charlie Haberstock ’25 (Waterville, Maine) will head to some of the world’s most isolated towns to study the issues faced by remote economies.
From: Washington, D.C.
Influential Hamiltonian: [Professor of History] Kevin Grant taught me how to properly read and write. The strategies he shared in his class on reading historical documents effectively and writing good essays allowed me to digest immense swaths of information and come up with precise and clear arguments. I’m very thankful to have taken his course early on in my college career, because what I learned from him made tackling all my other classes at Hamilton far more straightforward.
A class that changed me: [Former Assistant Professor of Asian Studies] Usman Hamid taught History of Iran a few semesters back. He reminded me that we should study history not necessarily because it helps us better understand the present or predict the future, but rather because it is fun. Professor Hamid helped me recognize the joy in studying history. His class helped encourage me to pursue non-academic opportunities, such as internships or jobs, that genuinely excite me!
An unexpected experience: I never expected to learn or enjoy statistics. I had dreaded the stats requirements of the economics major, but after having taken the courses I realized that I was pretty good at statistical analysis. I learned that examining the world with a critical, statistical lens sharpened my perspectives. I’m very thankful to have taken stats while on the Hill — especially in the context of Assistant Professor of Economics Jeff Cross’s econometrics course, which was an incredible class.
What’s Next? I want to go to law school. The rule of law holds up all aspects of society. Speaking the language of the law is therefore very empowering and exciting to me.
At Hamilton, I was involved in: Community Living, Basketball Club, French Club, Intramurals Soccer, Intramurals Basketball, Hamilton Historical, Economics Teaching Assistant
From: Philadelphia, Pa.
What I’m most proud of: While I am proud of the academic work I’ve completed and the papers submitted for publication through my fellowship, what I’m most proud of are the relationships I’ve built at Hamilton. I’ve found so many wonderful people to call my best friends, and I’ve had the privilege of getting to know incredible professors and staff. I’m also proud of our class for making it through a challenging and rocky post-COVID start to our time here, and for all the amazing accomplishments of everyone graduating.
Influential Hamiltonians: [Associate Professor of Environmental Studies] Aaron Strong and [Associate Professor of Sociology] Jaime Kucinskas have been the biggest influences on my time at Hamilton, making it both wonderful and unique.
I met Professor Kucinskas during my first year, when I really didn’t know what I was doing, and she gave me the opportunity to work as a research assistant on her and Professor Strong’s large research project. She has pushed me throughout my time here to be a better student, learner, and person.
Professor Strong helped me navigate my time at Hamilton and was always there for me through uncertainty and frequent stress. Thanks to their support, I was able to travel to New Zealand to conduct research for many months and to complete a senior fellowship focused on sustainability and climate transitions — questions that matter deeply to me. I am so grateful for their guidance and encouragement.
A class that changed me: Educating Students with Disabilities (EDUC 218), taught by [Lecturer in Education Studies] Tracy Facchini, was incredibly meaningful and shaped my experience at Hamilton immensely. It included a practicum component where I spent a few hours each week in an elementary classroom in Utica, learning from the teachers, assistants, and students. I gained so much insight into the legislative and policy world of education in the United States, but even more importantly, I learned about the challenges and rewards of being an educator. Tracy was a wonderful teacher who cared deeply about her students and was such a positive and supportive force.
What’s next for me: I’m excited to drive out to Montana the day after graduation to start a position at the Glacier Institute at Glacier National Park. I’ll be working as a backcountry youth educator, partnering with the National Park Service to design and run backcountry education programs for youth. I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity — to get back into the mountains, explore new places, and share my love of the outdoors. Ultimately, I hope to pursue a career in environmental policy, but first, I want to spend a few years exploring and living in beautiful places, working to protect and advocate for the natural spaces I love and the people whose lives are so closely connected to them.
At Hamilton, I was involved in: Women’s Rugby, Women’s Varsity Soccer, Climbing Wall staff, LITS Digital Media Tutoring, Red Weather (art board member)
More from the Class of 2025
