Class of 2025 Share GW Memories

“Narrowing down my plethora of memorable experiences, I’d say that the CCAS Research Showcase and building community were the best times of my education. As art therapy is a newer field, I initially used the research day to solely share my field and research. However, alongside sharing, I learned and made meaningful connections with new colleagues—which segways into my other amalgamation of memories. Traditionally, each time I reach the end of a chapter, I love to create gifts for my professors and classmates. As I’ve been making these gifts, it's given me the time to reflect on my time here and the importance of connection in and out of the school environment. From going on trips to D.C., sleepovers, craft parties, art galleries and in-class celebrations, I’m reminded of the power of community and how I’ve used art to archive the memories and connect.”

“I’ve had the opportunity to go to Smithsonian museums for three different classes in my time at GW (twice to the National History Museum for geology classes and once to the National Gallery of Art to write a paper for an art class), and each time I am so grateful to have gone to school in this incredible city. I still seek out that piece of art every time I visit the gallery. And I say hi to specific fossils I wrote about when I’m in the National History Museum. Being able to experience this culture and history so closely has been a privilege and a wonderful part of my GW experience.”

“One of my favorite memories is my journey studying Geographic Information Systems (GIS). I was initially not fond of GIS when I had the intro class, but I developed a growing interest in it as the course progressed. The intermediate GIS class truly ignited my passion for the field. The class was rigorous and taught me a variety of essential GIS applications. However, there were moments when I questioned whether I should continue in the field, particularly after spending hours in front of a screen only to encounter persistent error messages from ArcGIS or losing valuable work due to system crashes caused by Citrix’s instability on laptops. Dr. Brendan Hurley’s encouragement has changed my perspective on GIS and continues to motivate me. GIS also kindled my passion for using GIS to improve maps and software to ensure navigation issues and map inaccuracies never happen to anyone again.”

“One of my favorite memories from GW is probably the day our department received the shipment of a recently deceased orangutan head to dissect. I am not a neuroscientist (I studied primate behavioral ecology), but because of the way our offices are set up with windows into every laboratory, everyone was able to watch the neuroscientists dissect the head and take samples for analyses. It sounds so morbid, but it was fascinating to watch and reminded me how interdisciplinary my department—and GW!—is. And how lucky I am to have gotten my PhD here.”

“One of my favorite courses I have taken during my undergraduate career is World on a Plate with Dr. Mya O Price. Beyond being a sustainability course that fulfilled one of my minor requirements, World on a Plate is a Community Engaged Scholarship course wherein students are required to complete community service hours at a local organization throughout the semester. In the interest of breaking the infamous ‘Foggy Bottom bubble,’ I chose to complete my volunteer requirement at DC Greens community farm and garden space at the Well Oxon Run in Southeast D.C. Each time I visited the Well, without fail, I entered a space already filled with community members gathering food, discussing the farm’s seasonal offerings and joining staff in cleaning, planting and harvesting activities. Volunteering is a huge part of my personal and professional life and my time at the Well allowed me to connect all that I have learned about food production, food inequality, sustainable eating and the cultural importance of food in building community in class to a deeply meaningful volunteer experience.”

“One of the most gratifying moments of my time at GW was hosting a reception for the opening of my exhibition, ‘Creation Myths.’ I had always wanted to put together a show like this, so I was incredibly excited to do so at the Flagg Building. Because I didn’t have studio space in D.C., I completed nine new paintings over winter break, taking inspiration from the research I was conducting on astronomy in archaeology, in addition to works on paper I had made throughout the semester. I worked nearly non-stop, and in the end I had something I was really proud of. It had taken a lot of time and effort for me to put everything together, and it was only possible through the friendships I made here. Above all, it was so rewarding to host my friends who came to see my work and to celebrate with me.”

”One of the most meaningful parts of my time at GW has been the strong sense of community built with my fellow Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences graduate students and the faculty. Whether it was sharing laughs and learning more about each other in our cohort room, soaking up the sun while reviewing for exams at the student center’s outdoor space or taking dance breaks to stay energized during long days—these small moments of connection and support have truly defined my experience.”

“During my time at GW, my favorite moment was when I was able to tour the White House and go inside the press briefing room with my broadcast journalism class. We not only met fellow journalists in the White House, but also met the press secretary. These immersive learning opportunities are truly special, and I was particularly amazed by how GW truly takes advantage of its location. As an international student at GW, the abundant resources and events with international organizations and global leaders also allowed me to fully capitalize on my background and strengths, and better prepared me for future opportunities.”

“One of my favorite parts of my graduate experience at GW has been the weekly departmental seminars and socials. Friday seminars were great ways to learn about new science outside of my immediate field, while the subsequent socials allowed me to interact with the faculty and other graduate students, as well as wind down after a long week. Seminars also got more interesting once the department started inviting our own graduate students to give short talks. It is difficult to keep up with everyone’s work so these student talks provided a way for me to learn more about my peers’ accomplishments.”

“My favorite GW memory has to be getting to participate in the rich student theater community. Through my participation I was able to perform and direct some of the most amazing performances of my life including the spring 2023 production of RENT, which I directed with Forbidden Planet Productions and the spring 2025 production of Dracula: The Vampire Play with 14th Grade Players. This was such an impactful community that brings together some of the most talented artists on this campus to create something unique and special. Only at GW do students have the opportunity to have complete creative control over production of a show process like this, and I consider myself so lucky to get to do this in complement with my academic study.”

“My favorite professor and experience at GW are wrapped into one. For my American studies major, we had to write a thesis. I chose to write about my home state of Montana, comparing the increase in tourism since COVID-19 to the original frontier experience. My advisor was Professor Emily Bock, and we had weekly meetings to discuss my progress and think of ways to approach my project. These meetings are some of my most cherished times at GW. I felt such a deep sense of care and belief from Professor Bock, and that propelled me to complete my thesis. While I’m pursuing a career in medicine, Professor Bock helped convince me that writing and cultural critique can always be a part of my life.”

“Upon reflecting on my time at GW, I’ve found it extremely difficult to pick just one fondest memory. When recalling the classes I took, the clubs I was a member of, and the events I participated in, I found one common denominator among my most prized recollections: the people I surrounded myself with. I am eternally grateful to GW for cultivating an environment that attracts intelligent, curious and ambitious students and professors. Studying at GW transforms learning into a 24/7 experience. Over the past four years, I’ve evolved both academically and personally, largely thanks to the conversations and experiences I’ve shared with those around me. Being in good company is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and at GW, there is no shortage of exceptional people.”

“My time at GW is a testament to how the university truly supports its students to have unique experiences. I had the privilege to visit Barcelona and Lisbon for a short-term study abroad with my Sustainability and Human Wellness course this past spring break! I was able to meet amazing people, learn the cities’ histories and eat wonderful food. Never have I been so inspired by the community around me, both the people I visited with and the ones I met along the way. One of the best parts of the trip was visiting my favorite architect Gaudí’s famous designs and understanding firsthand how he pioneered the Catalan Modernism architectural style. Take me back!”

“In my time at GW, I have built such close connections within my field that I never expected to have. The School of Media and Public Affairs has grown to become a second home for me, and all of the faculty, staff and peers within it a second family. They all supported me at my lowest and have given me the skill sets to succeed at the biggest newsrooms in journalism. Without SMPA, I do not know that I would have been able to achieve as much as I have in my time here. I will cherish all of the studio events, late night editing and network building I was able to do there. I can’t wait to come back one day as a proud GW and SMPA alum!”

“I believe the best part of GW is the people. I have created so many amazing relationships with people from participating in student orgs and classes that I will cherish for the rest of my life. One of my fondest memories is running my first half-marathon through the scenic streets of D.C. during my first semester with a few girls I met on the club running team. Little did I know that they would remain some of my closest friends. I believe I have found my people, and I am so thankful that I decided to come to GW because I cannot imagine my life without them! (This photo is from the Rock ’n’ Roll half marathon in 2021. I’m second from the right!)”

“My four years at GW have been filled with countless ‘Only-at-GW’ moments, but two stand out: working for President Biden’s advance team and serving as an EMT with EMeRG, GW’s student-run EMS agency. On the advance team, I had the opportunity to assist with presidential visits around the U.S. and the world—all while a full-time student, only made possible by the support of my professors. During my junior spring, EMeRG introduced me to a different kind of public service. Encouraged by my roommate/best friend since freshman year, I took GW’s EMT certification class and then joined EMeRG, where I found a passion for emergency medicine, pushing me outside my comfort zone of law and politics.

“I never imagined college would lead me to both the White House and the driver’s seat of an ambulance, but GW opened doors I didn’t know existed and helped shape who I am. As I begin law school in the fall, I will always remember GW as a place that fostered both my intellectual and experiential curiosity.”

“During my time at GW, I’ve experienced what felt like countless turning points in the movie of my life—friendship breakups, exciting job and internship opportunities and even classes that left me wondering why I bothered. At first, I thought those moments would define my college experience. But over time, I’ve realized that what truly shaped these years were the people. They say college is where you meet your lifelong friends, and for me, that couldn’t be more true.”

“It’s been very difficult to choose a favorite memory. I’ve met so many amazing people who have taken me to amazing places. The friends I’ve made at GW have become what we call the D.C. family. Some of my greatest memories are from us studying, traveling, eating and just being together. I found the D.C. area to be rich in diverse foods and restaurants, and discovered a love for Thai food I never knew I had before. I have many cherished memories of late-night metro rides, Amtrak trips and monument walks. Though hellish at times, studying in Gelman was made cozy with friends. Snowball fights, cooking dinners together and festive parties were all great memories from the holiday season. I felt welcomed at GW like never before, and I will hold onto these memories forever.”

“One of my favorite ‘Only-at-GW’ moments was when my classmates and I got a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hirshhorn Museum. As a fine arts student, it was amazing to see how a renowned museum operates. We toured the different departments including the art conversation wing, the artwork storage and the communications offices. This trip was very meaningful because it gave insight on what jobs exist in the arts, which was helpful to a graduating senior. Being able to tour the Hirshhorn was a rare opportunity that only happened because I was taking professional practice fine arts classes at GW.”

“When I look back at my time at GW, without a doubt I will remember all the time I was able to spend doing the things I love—making TV and theater. Joining GW-TV was the best thing I could have done to learn and grow my love for television. Being somewhere at 8 am on a Friday is a hard ask for a college student, but I would not have traded the time I spent creating television with friends for anything. The same goes for the hours I spent in Betts Theatre helping on Corcoran Theatre and Dance shows. Tech weeks fueled by Panera, booth cookies and strike shenanigans will always be great memories spent with friends. SMPA and CTAD have allowed me to pursue my creative side, and I will look back at this time with fondness for all the connections and creations I have made over the years.”