“A liberal arts education gave me the tools to understand the world in its complexity and to approach unfamiliar people, cultures, and situations with curiosity rather than assumptions.”
Majors/minor: Asian Studies and Religion double-major, Chinese Language minor
Lives in: Rochester, NY
What work looks like: “I connect with alumni, friends of the university, and other constituents, listening to their stories, building relationships, and helping them find meaningful ways to support the institution through philanthropy and engagement. Work has taken me all the way to China, where I've had the chance to engage with our international community in person.”
What she loves about it: “What I love most is the opportunity to hear people’s stories and connect them to something larger than themselves through philanthropy. Every donor has a unique relationship with the institution, and being able to listen deeply, understand their motivations, and help channel that passion into meaningful giving is incredibly rewarding.”
What she gained from a liberal arts education: “It taught me to think critically and approach the world with a wide lens. Studying Asian studies and religion required me to engage with complex texts, diverse cultures, and big ideas—all of which sharpened my analytical thinking, ability to synthesize information, and capacity to communicate across differences. I also developed strong active listening skills and learned to process information quickly and thoughtfully. In my role, I need to truly hear what someone is saying and translate that into a compelling case for support. A liberal arts education gave me the tools to understand the world in its complexity and to approach unfamiliar people, cultures, and situations with curiosity rather than assumptions. That kind of broad, humanistic foundation is something I draw on constantly. I genuinely believe it has made me a more empathetic and effective professional.”