Congratulations, 2021 Sociology Seniors!
While faculty and staff will not be able to join in-person commencement festivities, we want to extend a special congratulations (albeit, from afar) to our 2021 graduates through featuring them on our departmental website well beyond WashU's May celebrations. Below, you will find (auto)biographies of our departing seniors, detailing their accomplishments while at Washington University - as well as their plans for their "next steps."
Ariel Ashie
Ariel Ashie’s favorite memories within the WashU Sociology Department are the numerous relationships she was able to build as a major. In addition to a Sociology major, Ariel also majored in Economics, with a Certificate in Financial Economics. A member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and an Ervin Scholar, Ashie chose her major in Sociology “to have a deeper understanding of the systems interacting around [her] and to equip [herself[ with the tools and knowledge necessary to be able to engage in critical analysis of the systems of power, oppression, and identity that shape the world.” Active within Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resources, the Association of Black Students, and RIZE magazine, Ariel completed her Capstone Paper project on how American individualist ideology and evangelicalism align with capitalist neoliberalist tenets. After graduation, Ariel will take a position at a Chicago consulting firm (ZS Associates) as a Strategy Insights & Planning Associate. Her advice to rising students? “When planning out what courses to take, pay careful attention to how the content of each might build on one another. The most meaningful courses were the ones in which I was able tie in previous learning experiences and classes.”
Congratulations, Ariel!
Georgia Bartels-Newton
Georgia Bartels-Newton declared a Sociology major after taking Social Inequality in America and, as she put it, “having her mind blown.” “Finally having the language to talk about the inequality I knew existed around me really changed my life. I have solidified my sociological lens and will be unable to watch a movie the same way – for which I’m very thankful and would suggest to any and everyone.” Along with minors in Psychological and Brain Sciences and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Georgia acted as the Executive Director of Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource Center and a Teaching Assistant for the Sociology Department. Additionally, Bartels-Newton was a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and received Honors in Sociology. Her thesis explored what parental behavioral patterns queer youth find to be most supportive, as solicited through in-depth interviews of queer young adults. After WashU, Georgia will be working in New York City as a Project Assistant at Sidley Austin LLC.
Congratulations, Georgia!
Sari Bircoll
Sari Bircoll first discovered Sociology through her studies within the Education Department at Washington University, progressively piecing together the ways that larger systems and structures shape the nature and practice of education. Deciding to major in both fields, Bircoll participated in the Honors Program through Educational Studies and performed her Sociology Capstone project through an internship with Tent Mission STL, a local grassroots housing advocacy organization. She was also inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. During her time at Washington University, Sari has been involved with Phi Gamma Nu, the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, and has held several jobs within the education field within the Saint Louis area. Her advice for rising students? “really take the time to get to know the professors. The department has been built with such intentionality to who is brought on board, and the professors I have gotten to know are so knowledgeable and easy to learn from.” After graduation, Sari will be pursuing her MSW in the Welfare of Children and Families and Policy/Political Social Work at the University of Michigan.
Congratulations, Sari!
Annabel Bird
Annabel Bird double-majored in Sociology and Fashion Design, and minored in American Culture Studies. During her time at WashU, Bird was active in Club Volleyball and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. For her Capstone Paper project, Annabel drew from her experiences in the Economic Realities of the American Dream course to examine how religion impacts perceptions of “the American Dream” and how religion oftentimes reinforces tropes that inequality is central to this “Dream.”
Congratulations, Annabel!
Sasha Chapnick-Sorokin
Sasha Chapnick-Sorokin majored in Sociology and double-minored in Anthropology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. A member of Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, Sasha received Honors in Sociology for her thesis project examining the tensions between work and family that mothers face as they navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Chapnick-Sorokin was also a member of Washington University for Undergraduate Socioeconomic Diversity, the Bear Bites Food Support Program, and Leaders in Interpersonal Violence Education. After WashU, Sasha will begin a position at Capital One as a Human Resources Rotational Program Associate.
“I love how everything I have learned in my Sociology classes is applicable to everyday life. Developing a deeper understanding of how people interact and how inequality manifests has allowed me to think critically about current social issues, better engage in discussions with my peers, and prepared me to engage in activism,” Sasha reflected. “Additionally, the WashU [Sociology] department is made up of the kindest, smartest, most welcoming students and faculty on campus. Faculty are also genuinely invested in the undergraduate experience, which really sets the department apart.”
Congratulations, Sasha!
Christina Dai
Christina Dai was initially attracted to the field of Sociology because of its importance in “creating a more equitable future for the United States socially, economically, educationally, and health-wise.” From there, she solidified her Sociology major and Computer Science minor. A recipient of the James Roloff Scholarship and an inductee of Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, Christina was active on campus through the WashU Aristocats’ A Cappella, Voice, the Asian Christian Fellowship, tutoring with Firm Foundations, and acting as a Project Assistant for WashU’s Special Collections. For her Capstone Paper project, Dai explored the impacts of institutionalized Christian churches on LGBT individuals’ mental health. When asked about her future plans post-WashU, Christina remarked, “I hope to use Sociology to aid me in my pursuit of helping to develop more equitable policies for the diverse range of communities in the United States.”
Congratulations, Christina!
Dorian DeBose
With a major in Philosophy (Law and Policy track) and a Sociology minor, Dorian DeBose has been listed three times as a member of the Dean’s List. Although he has officially wrapped up his undergraduate coursework, Dorian will continue at Washington University through the Brown School of Social Work’s prestigious 3-2 program – earning an M.S.W. (Domestic Social and Economic Development) with a specialization in Policy. When not writing for the Student Life newspaper as a Sports Editor or acting as a Peer Tutor at the WashU Writing Center, Dorian enjoys performing comedy across the St. Louis area.
Congratulations, Dorian!
Noah Finkelstein
Noah Finkelstein double-majored in Political Science and Spanish, and minored in Sociology. A four-time member of the Dean’s List, Noah was also inducted to both Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. During his time at WashU, Finkelstein was involved with Washington University’s First Year Center as a Student Associate, the College of Arts & Sciences as a Peer Mentor, and Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource Center as the Outreach Chair. After graduation, Noah will continue as a Community Engagement Intern at the Center for Policing Equity – a position that he initially secured through the Sociology program.
Congratulations, Noah!
Jane Gormley
Why a Sociology major for Jane Gormley? “The classes I've taken and the people I've met in the Sociology department have helped shape the way I think and the questions I ask.” Jane continued, “My experiences here have prepared me to not only understand why discussions around power and identity are integral in every discipline, but have helped me feel comfortable facilitating those conversations and advocating for their importance. Interviewing, facilitating difficult conversations, and connecting individual stories to larger movements are important skills in the work I hope to do post-grad and I'm thankful to the department for providing me with opportunities to grow and explore in each of these areas.”
Along with her major in Sociology, Jane double-minored in Computer Science and Creative Practice for Social Change. Further, she was involved with such organizations as Design for America and the Wilderness Project – in addition to serving as a Gephardt Institute Civic Scholar. For her Capstone Paper project, Gormley combined her areas of study to explore methodological overlaps between sociology and design research. From this, she developed a set of frameworks and resources for student use within community-engaged contexts in the future.
Congratulations, Jane!
Joanna Grill
Joanna Grill’s interest in Sociology began in her first year at Washington University, having enrolled in Prof. Caitlyn Collins’ Social Inequality in America course. “I loved the way that Professor Collins and her class material made me think. All of the Sociology classes I have since taken have similarly provided me with tools to view society and the broader world through a critical lens,” Grill remarked. She added, “I stayed a Sociology major because I loved learning from incredibly renowned yet humble professors who are passionate about their work and about teaching WashU students. I have taken classes in over 15 departments from four of WashU's undergraduate schools, and still, I am grateful that I chose Sociology as my major!”
Along with her Sociology major, Joanna double-minored in Business of Social Impact and Legal Studies, earning her memberships in the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and the Phi Delta Pre-Law Honor Society. During her time at WashU, Grill was involved with Design for America and Hillel, and served as the Co-Chair of the College of Arts & Sciences’ Academic Integrity Committee. For her Capstone Paper project, Joanna investigated pay disparities at prestigious law firms, finding that subjective factors (and gender biases) accounted for the unequal compensation of firm employees with the same roles.
After graduation, Joanna hopes to attend law school. In the interim, however, she is very thrilled to be catching up on sleep after these past four years. (We can’t blame or shame you in the least – we’d be doing the same!)
Congratulations – and sweet dreams – Joanna!
Grace Hass-Hill
“It is completely normal to have no idea what you want to do in the future,” advised Grace Hass-Hill. “It might seem like everyone around you has everything figured out, but I promise that isn’t the case. I was a [Computer Science] major for my first two years at WashU and am now graduating with a double-major in Sociology and Educational Studies and hoping to work in politics, so stay open-minded and follow your passions.” A multi-semester member of the Dean’s List and active in such organizations as Between the Lines, WUSA, Each One Teach One, and K-12 Connections, Grace’s passion for education and social change materialized in a Capstone internship at 314 Action, a group that seeks to elect scientists and individuals with STEM backgrounds into public office. Based upon this experience, after graduation, Grace will be seeking employment in Democratic politics either in the field of campaigns or advocacy work.
“My favorite sociology memory occurred during Social Conflict with Professor [David] Cunningham. In this course, we partnered with Monument Lab and created an exhibit of hundreds of maps of St. Louis drawn by members of the surrounding community. This project was an incredible way to take what we had learned in class and and produce a hands-on exhibit for other individuals at WashU to explore and learn from.”
Congratulations, Grace!
Joshua Horton
Joshua Horton majored in Film & Media Studies (Production emphasis) and double-minored in Sociology and American Culture Studies. In the future, he hopes to blend these fields as he seeks meaningful post-graduate paths.
Congratulations, Joshua!
Sarah Horwitz
Sarah Horwitz double-majored in Psychological & Brain Sciences and Spanish, with a minor in Sociology. A four-time member of the Dean’s List and having worked with the Washington University Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences’ Emotion and Mental Health Lab, Sarah’s academic training merges in her research interests – the intersection between mental disorders and gender-based discrimination/violence. After graduation, she intends to pursue graduate studies in either clinical psychology or social work as to further her work with survivors of trauma.
Congratulations, Sarah!
Abigail (Abbie) Leonard
A three-time member of the Dean’s List and an inductee to Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, Abbie Leonard majored in Sociology and minored in Anthropology (Global Health and Environment track). Her active roles with such organizations as Planned Parenthood and J Street led to further internship work with these groups. Additionally, Abbie served as a Co-Owner and Marketing Director for Sharing with a Purpose, a student-run nonprofit organization centered on reducing waste and providing free/low-cost goods. Although Leonard has completed her undergraduate program, she was selected to join the highly-competitive accelerated Brown School of Social Work’s 3-2 Program. Abbie will continue at WashU as she pursues a Master’s of Social Work (Domestic Social and Economic Development track), specializing in Policy.
Congratulations, Abbie!
Zoey Lieberman
From her very first Sociology class in the Fall of her first year, Zoey Lieberman knew that majoring in Sociology would open doors and connections to her. “After four years of taking Sociology classes,” she remarked, “I can confirm that this is true: every professor I have met has taught me so much about the world and life generally. I feel very lucky!” Pairing her major with minors in Marketing and Writing, Zoey expanded upon her studies in a capstone project that examined the role of social media in shaping narratives of activism as compared to mainstream discourse of the Black Lives Matter movement. She was also active in Intramural Soccer and Design for America. After graduation, Zoey will take a position at Edelman on their Data and Intelligence team.
Congratulations, Zoey!
Sarah Liu
Sarah Liu double-majored in English Literature and Sociology, with a minor in Music. At WashU, Liu acted as the Vice President of Marketing for the Alpha Phi International Fraternity, was a four-time member of the Dean’s List, and held an internship with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Missouri. After graduation, Sarah will be employed at Fisch Sigler LLP as a legal assistant.
Congratulations, Sarah!
Joshua McCullough
Joshua McCullough has always been interested in “social structures and how our society came to be the way that it is.” “Sociology,” he noted, “was my chance to really learn about it. […] Once you start to see those structures appear in the day to day, understanding the material becomes easy.” McCullough majored in African and African American Studies and minored in Sociology. As a WashU student, he was active in Intramural Basketball, the Association of Black Students, Track & Field, and the Black Men’s Coalition. Further, he served as an intern for both WashU Admissions and Williams & Associates. After graduation, Joshua plans to continue his studies through a Master’s in Public Health, then proceed to dental school.
Congratulations, Joshua!
Denye Mickens
Denye Mickens knew that she wanted to be a physician from an early age, but taking Sociology courses dramatically shifted her perspective on health and health care. “I thought health outcomes were determined solely by biological factors such as genetic predisposition,” Mickens noted. “This department opened my eyes to the complexities of medicine and healthcare, and the warmth and support extended by faculty at all times drew me to stay. Because of my experiences here, I gained a passion for studying social determinants of health and look forward to applying this lens to my future professional endeavors.” Denye’s accomplishments while at WashU are numerous: John B. Ervin Scholar, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders Scholar, inductee of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, and a selected speaker for both Convocation and First-Generation Commencement ceremonies. Further, she acted as the President of the Minority Association of Rising Scientists and as a part of the executive board of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Beta Delta Chapter).
Denye was additionally active as a WUSA mentor, an undergraduate research assistant, and many other committee and educational outreach efforts. For her Capstone Paper project, Mickens drew from the work of W.E.B. Du Bois’ The Philadephia Negro to evaluate health outcomes of African American communities nearly a century and a half since Du Bois’ publication. After WashU, Denye will be using her Sociology major and minors in Religion and Politics and Pre-Medicine to take on a Research Assistant role at WashU’s School of Medicine, prior to applying to medical school. “Never be afraid to pursue your passions, but always be willing to learn new things and to explore new topics,” she advises rising students. “This process opened my eyes to the field of sociology and has absolutely transformed the way I envision my future career!”
Congratulations, Denye!
Erica Muamba
Erica Muamba’s first encounter with Sociology was through taking Inequality by Design: Understanding Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities. As someone who has medical school ambitions post-WashU, Erica “appreciated the sociological approach to issues she had learned about from a ‘medical’ lens.” This new lens encouraged her to major in Anthropology (Global Health and Environment track) and minor in Sociology. Muamba was a Thomas H. Eliot Scholar, Deneb STAR, and a member of such campus organizations as America Reads, the Minority Association of Pre-Med Students, the African Students Association, and the University’s Alumni & Development Events Planning team. She encourages rising students to keep an open mind as they take their coursework and “be willing to learn new perspectives that will change how [they] view society.”
Congratulations, Erica!
Ara Nazmiyal
Ara Nazmiyal excelled in both her major (Psychological and Brain Sciences) and her Minor (Sociology), leading to her induction in both disciplines’ collegiate honor societies (Psi Chi and Alpha Kappa Delta, respectively). Ara earned Honors in Psychology through completing a thesis exploring the relationship between IQ and executive functioning as it manifests in children’s “picky eating” habits. Nazmiyal was a member of Club Lacrosse, Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, TAMID, and WashU School of Medicine’s Early Emotional Development Program. Further, she served as a Political Advocacy Campus Ambassador with Ignite Mental Health. In the fall, Ara will continue her studies at the Teachers College (Columbia) with the intent of pursuing a Ph.D. in School Psychology.
Congratulations, Ara!
Sarah Olsen
Sarah Olsen majored in Political Science and minored in Sociology, earning her a spot on the Dean’s List three times. During her time at Washington University, Sarah was very involved in both academic and extracurricular life. Sarah’s specialized skill set led her to such positions as the Social Media Intern of Almost Home, a Communications Intern for the University, and the Social Media Director of the Alpha Phi International Fraternity. Further, Olsen served as a Teaching Assistant for the Political Science department, a research assistant at The Justice Collaborative, and a mentor-tutor for Girls Who Code and City Faces.
Congratulations, Sarah!
Meghna Padmanabhan
Meghna Padmanabhan majored in Sociology and minored in Writing. A three-time member of the Dean’s List, Meghna was very active in WashU’s community service organizations and programming: a City Faces tutor, a Campus YMCA basketball and soccer team coach, and an executive member of the University’s Relay for Life planning team. Additionally, she served as a Teaching Assistant for the Sociology Department, an intern for Global March (an international non-governmental organization addressing child labor and trafficking), and an intern at the Manhattan Borough President’s Office. Although Meghna’s time as a Sociology major has wrapped up, she will continue at Washington University as a student of the highly competitive Brown School of Social Work’s 3-2 Program, earning both her B.A. and M.S.W. (Social Impact Leadership track) in an accelerated five years’ time.
Congratulations, Meghna!
Logan Phillips
Logan Phillips, a double-major in African and African-American Studies and Sociology, really dove into the discipline after enrolling in Inequality by Design: Understanding Racial/Ethnic Health Disparities, a course taught by Prof. Hedy Lee. “At that time,” she explained, “I only had a SOC minor. But, after a number of discussions with peers and advisors - in addition to time spent reflecting on what I really wanted to pursue, I picked up the double major in Sociology,” furthering Logan’s interest in how education systems impact Black students’ health, well-being, and identities. “I feel that Sociology gave me many foundational skills and theories to analyze the dynamics of different systems, structures, and institutions that make up our society,” something she feels will benefit her post-graduate ambitions that she will pursue after WashU.
Phillips was a Dean James McLeod scholarship recipient, as well as a recipient of the Helen Davis Humanitarian Award. Logan completed an Honors Thesis with the Department of African and African-American Studies, which she successfully defended, receiving Honors with Distinction. Additionally, she was inducted as a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, was selected as Gephardt Institute Civic Scholar, and was active in the Deneb STARs program. Moreover, Logan was very active in extracurricular life and community outreach - tutoring at City Faces and the Learning Lodge; serving as the Publicity Chair of the Black Senior Alliance; and being a member of the Association of Black Students, the Student Union’s Academic Equity Committee, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For her Sociology Capstone project, Logan interned with the National Black Child Development Institute, undertaking research about historical contexts of Black early childhood education to inform policy suggestions that address contemporary contexts of this issue.
Congratulations, Logan!
Iris Postma
Iris Postma took on a Sociology minor because she was interested in “studying how institutions and systems of power interact with people’s lived experiences.” She noted, “I think the analyses I have learned through sociology will be useful in whatever I do in the future.” Paired with majors in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Spanish, as well as her roles as a Danforth Scholar, a Goldman Fellow, and an interpersonal violence educator, Postma is ready to pursue whatever post-WashU roads may rise!
Congratulations, Iris!
Sydney Reyes
Sydney Reyes majored in Anthropology (Global Health and Environment track) and minored in Sociology. When asked what her favorite memory with the Sociology Department was, she responded, “I really loved taking the Philanthropy Lab course. It opened my eyes to philanthropy and how complex and comprehensive it is. It was also fascinating to see how nonprofits work and to be able to give a non-profit and issue I really believed in.”
Reyes was inducted to the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and the Lambda Alpha Anthropology Society. Additionally, she served as a member of the executive board of Washington University’s multiple award-wining chapter of Minority Association of Premedical Students, a liaison for the Student National Medical Association, and a member of the University’s Dance Theatre. Although Sydney began a role as Pediatric Infectious Disease clinical research aide at the Washington University School of Medicine, after graduation, she will take a position as a research coordinator at the very same unit.
Congratulations, Sydney!
Sophia (Sophie) Scott
Sophia Scott’s adoption of a Sociology minor came through her passion for studying social justice issues, something she saw mirrored in many of the Department’s faculty. “The professors in the Sociology department are not only passionate about their work but are also deeply caring for students. Their enthusiasm for teaching made me even more invested in learning about social issues.” As a member of the Student Union Senate, an undergraduate representative to the Washington University Board of Trustees, a Campus Life Community Assistant, and a student research assistant for WashU’s Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Civic Affairs and Strategic Planning, Scott knows what it’s like to have a crowded schedule.
From this experience, as well as what she’s learned from being a Chemistry and American Culture Studies double-major, she offers the following advice to rising students: “Even during your busiest weeks, set time aside to do your readings. You will get SO much more out of classes if you actually engage with all of the readings and have questions about them. Making the time is worth it!” After graduation, Sophia plans to continue at Washington University, seeking a joint Master’s of Business Administration and Master’s of Social Work degree through one of the Brown School of Social Work’s many dual-enrollment programs.
Congratulations, Sophia!
Rachael Silberstein
Although Rachael Silberstein’s major at Washington University was in Psychological and Brain Sciences (Cognitive Neuroscience track), she soon found a Sociology minor well-complemented her research and the analytical lenses she used when studying social psychology and individual cognition. She explained, “I was attracted to sociology because I wanted to deepen my understanding of how and why social structures and patterns come to be, and my studies have greatly impacted how I view social issues and inequalities in the world around me.”
For her Honors Thesis in Psychology, Rachael undertook a highly-interdisciplinary project that built on extant studies of developmental research and systemic inequalities longitudinally embedded in elementary school curricula, exploring young children’s understanding of structural racism and personal racial awareness. A member of the Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society, Thomas H. Eliot Scholarship recipient, and a peer counselor/counseling trainer, Rachel will continue her sociologically-informed psychological research prior to furthering her work through graduate studies.
Congratulations, Rachael!
Lorenzo Solon
Through the Civic Scholars program at WashU’s Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, Lorenzo Solon worked to interlink university mental health and peer counseling organizations across the United States. A Biology major with Sociology minor, Lorenzo completed a thesis (with Research Emphasis) titled, “Location Specific Difference in the Mechanical and Microstructural Properties of Meniscal Roots” and was included in the Dean’s List over several semesters.
Congratulations, Lorenzo!
Emily Stegmeier
During her time at WashU, Sociology major Emily Stegmeier acted as both an academic and an athlete, earning national honors in both capacities as member of the Varsity Track & Field team. Emily was also named as a Thomas H. Eliot Scholar and acted as a Research Assistant for Washington University’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion. Pairing her studies with a minor in Legal Studies, Stegmeier acted as a Student Consultant at WashU’s Interdisciplinary Environmental Law Clinic and as an intern with the St. Louis Metropolitan Equal Housing Opportunity Council. In the latter of these two positions, Emily took an active role working with members of the community as a landlord-tenant mediator in the City’s Civil Court Eviction document – an experience that added to her perception of the Sociology department as experientially-driven and community-oriented.
To all rising Sociology students, Stegmeier recommends that they take advantage of the department’s internship option as a way to fulfill the major’s Capstone requirement, prescribing it as “a chance to get work experience during the school year when [internship] opportunities are typically less competitive.” Post-graduation, Emily will relocate to Washington D.C., to accept a position as a paralegal at Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein, and Fox – a firm that specializes in intellectual property law.
Congratulations, Emily!
Rachel Sznajderman
For Rachel Sznajderman, coming to WashU was rife with personal and professional questions: “How can we understand injustice in our society and the world at large? What systems of oppression are responsible for the facilitation and reproduction inequality over time? How do I perpetuate these dynamics, and what can I do to fight against them?” Within the Sociology department, she notes, she found other people – both students and faculty – who were asking similar questions and working to develop solutions to address these sites of injustice. “It is in the Sociology department that I learned what it feels like to be a part of a community with shared values,” something that she found to be very meaningful and motivating.
Sznajderman double-majored in Political Science and Sociology, taking on a minor in Spanish – leading her to be inducted as a member of both the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honorary Society and the Alpha Kappa Delta International Honor Society. Rachel was also very active in Greek Life, organizations addressing racial injustice, and as a Statistics Teaching Assistant within the Sociology Department. For her Honors Thesis in Sociology, Rachel explored patterns of decarcerative efforts made within state legislations across the Midwest United States. After WashU, she will seek out employment that allows her to utilize her range of studies and skills gained through her academic and extracurricular experiences.
Congratulations, Rachel!
Nat Thomas
Natalie (Nat) Thomas graduates from Washington University with a B.F.A. in Communication Design and double minors in Chinese Language & Culture and Sociology. Nat’s inclusion on the Dean’s List over multiple semesters demonstrates a strong dedication to academic excellence.
Congratulations, Nat!
Ashley Thompson
When asked why she chose to complete a Sociology minor in addition to her double majors in Political Science and African & African-American Studies, Ashley Thompson reasoned, “Sociology provides you with the skills to understand the occurrences we witness in our everyday lives. It is important to me to have a robust understanding of the way human beings interact and the social behaviors that ultimately define how I navigate through the world.” In addition to her academic studies, Thompson acted as a John B. Ervin Scholar, a Ralph Bunch Scholar, a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the president of the Association of Black Students, and a Resident Advisor, among many other extracurricular involvements. Ashley will continue her studies in the fall at Stanford Law School.
Congratulations, Ashley!
Thu-Lan Unsoeld
Thu-Lan Unsoeld was introduced to Sociology through Professor Jake Rosenfeld’s Roots of Ferguson course, a course that explores racial inequalities within the contemporary U.S. landscape. She soon fell in love with the discipline, declaring a major within the department and double-minoring in Design and American Culture Studies. During her time at WashU, she was involved with Armour Magazine, Interrogating Incarceration, and the Prison Education Project. In alignment with her appreciation of sociology’s multiple areas of study and methodological approaches, she undertook an Honors Thesis in Sociology that investigated class and consumer perceptions of the sustainable fashion industry. This intensive research experience exploring social forces within fashion and the larger economy will benefit her as she takes her next step in New York City as a Buyer Trainee with Bloomingdale’s Executive Development Program.
Congratulations, Thu-Lan!
Fatima Wahidi
Growing up in the North County area of St. Louis, Fatima Wahidi was always hyper-aware of the racial and socioeconomic inequalities she observed. Her curiosity as to how these inequities could be addressed led Fatima to becoming a Sociology major and Anthropology minor. “The dedication and excitement of the Sociology faculty [had] in crafting a department that was inclusive and dynamic made me want to continue,” she noted with a special mention of Prof. Hedy Lee – someone Wahidi credits as a key force in her academic decisions. During her time at WashU, Fatima won several awards such as being named a Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship recipient, a Deneb STAR, and an Enterprise Holdings Scholar, in addition to being involved in several extracurricular organizations engaged in community service and the pursuit of social justice. For her Sociology Capstone paper, Fatima combined her academic areas to explore indigenous environmental activism in Indonesia. Her advice to rising Sociology students? “What you learn in Sociology courses are applicable to any professional or life path that you can dream of. Having a deeper understanding of social structures allows me to be a more conscientious and intentional person,” a trait that will come in great use as she pursues her next steps after WashU, as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center.
Congratulations, Fatima!
Katherine Wallace
Katherine Wallace has been a very active member on WashU’s campus, acting as a Lien Scholar, a leader and tutor at Each One Teach One, working with fellow students through Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource Center, and a member of both Phi Beta Kappa Academic Honors Society and Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society. Double-majoring in Anthropology and Sociology, she has combined these disciplines to become a research assistant within the WashU Sociology Department and hold several internships that include such organizations and institutions as ArchCity Defenders, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Empire Justice Center.
The approachability and enthusiasm of Sociology faculty drew Katherine to claim a place within the department. She added, “WashU Sociology is unique in my mind too because of its grounding [within the principles and works of W.E.B. Du Bois], and emphasis on using research for social change. It was important for me that what I was studying in college be rooted in the larger context of social justice work.” This passion was central to Katherine’s Honors Thesis, which explored how racial ideologies are embedded within historical narratives taught in secondary curriculums across the United States. Next year, Katherine will attend law school at New York University with the hopes that her training will help fulfill her ultimate goal of working with a community organization that focuses on the decriminalization of poverty.
Paraphrasing Mark Twain, Katherine reminds future sociology students to have never let their schooling interfere with their education. “I have learned so much from my sociology classes but living in St. Louis has been a sociological education of its own. Especially as someone leaving the city after graduation, like many other students, I think it is so important for people to take the time to get to know the city, its communities, and its histories.”
Congratulations, Katherine!
Rachel Zemser
After taking Professor Caitlyn Collins’ Social Inequality in America course, Rachel Zemser was – as she describes it – “hooked.” “Having the space to academically unpack and understand the systems and structures around me was so fascinating.” Double-majoring in Communication Design and Sociology, Rachel believes that “having a basis to understand and recognize larger societal issues was integral to being a thoughtful and intentional designer. Design and sociology are so interconnected; sociology gave me the tools to create systems and products that have grounding and importance.”
Combining both of these fields led to Rachel being an active participant in Design for America, the American Institute of Graphic Arts, City Faces, and an intern at the Office of Socially Engaged Practice. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society, and received Honors in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. To complete her capstone project in sociology, she undertook an internship with the Anti-Defamation League, conducting research on conspiracy groups’ activities and the spread of extremism on social media sites. After graduation, Rachel will continue combining her two passions of design and sociology through a graphic design internship at 3M’s Healthcare Division.
Congratulations, Rachel!