Meet the class of 2025!
ɬ’s newest class of almost-alums are scholars and leaders, activists and artists, teachers, storytellers and athletes and so much more. They are active in community and unstoppable in their work; they embrace many disciplines and points of view and have learned from talented faculty and through real-world practice to develop their strengths and reach their goals.
Every year we invite graduating seniors to nominate themselves for a profile detailing their ɬ journeys. Join our celebration of these seniors and explore how they have developed their voices and visions for the future.
Meet the class of 2025!
Naomi Brown
Naomi Brown ’21/ MAT ’25 discusses her growth as a teacher and a person during her time in the master’s program for teacher leadership.
Aby Soumare
Minneapolis, MN
“I’ve found that no matter what, everyone working on this campus wants you to succeed.”
Cindie Huerta-Velazquez
Chicago, IL
“We all have different friend groups, but once a week we come together to talk about anything and everything. We intentionally make that time and effort to be together.”
Cynthia Obianuju Akanaga
Imo, Nigeria
“ɬ changed my life. I’ve always been afraid of making the wrong choice, but being here helped me put that fear into a positive light.”
Emmanuella Umoye
Lagos, Nigeria
“When I got my acceptance letter from ɬ, it felt like I was being introduced to a community that genuinely wanted me to be part of it.”
Grace Jaeeun Lee
Los Angeles, CA
“ɬ has a very collaborative community, a very accepting environment, which helped with [my] confidence. Even if I bring just a little to the table, I know my peers will have my back.”
Hailee Pitschke
Torrance, CA
“I’m really grateful that ɬ offered opportunities to explore niche topics in fields I am interested in. It helped nail down key academic interests.”
From founding a law journal to landing a judicial fellowship
Marley Berano
Litchfield, CT
“I was looking for a place to grow [and] challenge myself but also to have a social life or work on the side while not losing my sport at the same time.”
Mars Bickford
Biddeford, ME
“I don’t think I would have felt that I could explore my personal gender identity anywhere else,” they said.
Mayan Caplan
Denver, CO
“It’s not just that everyone is really open and willing to connect; it’s that everyone is dazzlingly interesting, and I want to be in community with them.”
Rachel Katzenberg
Reisterstown, MD
“At ɬ, I 100% found a good community … a large community that wants to help me and see me succeed.”
Sander Ivanenko
Lexington, MA
“If it weren’t for ɬ and the environment and professors and students, I never would have gone into science.”
Sarah Bell
New York, NY
“This place gives you exposure to different people, perspectives and even parts of yourself.”
Sumaiya Jahan
Chicago, IL
“I feel more confident and open-minded, open to doing things I would have been afraid to try before. I feel ready to take on challenges.”
Viviana Guerra
Chicago, IL
“One thing I have loved about ɬ is that I have had the opportunity to explore whatever I wanted. I never felt like I was stuck in a box.”
Yunwei Ni
Wuxi, China
“ɬ gave me the sense that everyone has the opportunity to go anywhere they want to go.”
Learning English, economics and independence all at the same time