College of Arts and Sciences

The alumni of UVM’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) are a hugely diverse group to be sure, but, as you’ll see below, there’s a common thread running through many of their stories: how a broad-based, liberal arts education provided a potent recipe for both professional success and personal fulfillment. Without further ado, allow us to introduce you to over 70 alums who have used the skills they learned while in CAS to build rich, rewarding careers doing things they’re passionate about—all while traveling paths as unique as their college experiences.

Browse Alumni by Department/Program

Anthropology | Art and Art History | Asian Languages and Literatures | Biochemistry | Biological Science | Biology | Chemistry | Classics | Economics | English | Environmental Studies | Film and Television Studies | French and Italian | Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies | Geography | German, Russian, and Hebrew | Global Studies | Health and Society | History | Linguistics | Mathematics | Music | Neuroscience | Philosophy | Political Science | Psychology | Religion | Sociology

Anthropology

Anthropology

Allison Hamlin ’10: Director of Brand Development for Eater, Punch, and Thrillist

“Being a strong, organized, and confident communicator has been the single most important professional asset in my career."Majors/minor:...

Mairé Lattanzi ’18: Analyst on the International Affairs and Trade team at the Government Accountability Office (GAO)

“This ability to think about my work in ways that may be different from folks who come from a specific or specialized background has been...

Merete Cowles ’23: Communications & Learning Fellow at the Lwala Community Alliance through the Princeton in Africa Fellowship Program

“The liberal arts approach challenges you to constantly expand your comfort zone, empowers you to ask questions, and encourages you to learn from...

Harry Bertera ’21: Senior Research Associate, Infectious Disease Immunology at Moderna Therapeutics

“Writing a research paper and learning how to properly approach answering a research question are both things that have helped me throughout my...

John Austin ’07: Learning and Development Program Manager at Airbnb

“Liberal arts gave me the flexibility to think that way and know there’s not one single answer to how to live and work.”Lives in: Oakland,...

Art and Art History

Grace Weaver ’11: Artist

“Studying multiple disciplines in tandem gave me a blueprint for how I think and work today.”Major/minors: Studio Art major, Biology and Art...

Tori Staley ’17, J.D.: Legal Fellow at the CPCS Innocence Program

“Having a well-rounded liberal arts education…taught me how to use my network of people and my community to help solve the problems around...

Katharine L. Noiva ’13: Director of Visitor Experience & Learning at Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

“Having a well-rounded education that covered a range of disciplines has been vital to my career, especially as I’ve grown professionally and...

Robin Craren ’10: Senior Coordinator for Collections Information and Research at the Barnes Foundation

“Being able to take classes in different, but related, areas has helped me immensely and given me the ability to make connections between disparate...

Asian Languages and Literatures

Marisa (Westheimer) Wilson ’06: Director, George Eastman Circle, Annual Giving, University of Rochester Advancement

“A liberal arts education gave me the tools to understand the world in its complexity and to approach unfamiliar people, cultures, and situations...

Auden Gall ’25: Fulbright Taiwan English Teaching Assistant

“My liberal arts education at UVM helped me build a wide range of skills, from critical thinking to creative writing.”Majors: Chinese and...

Biochemistry

Acadia Moeyersoms ’17, Ph.D.: Senior Scientist II at Becton Dickinson

“My liberal arts education provided me with the opportunity to gain other skills outside of scientific labs and scientific writing… .”Lives in:...

Biological Science

Claire E. Wilcox ’18, M.D.: Resident Physician at UPMC Department of Pathology

“My liberal arts education taught me to approach a problem from multiple angles, to integrate knowledge from many disciplines, and to communicate...

Biology

Christos Meimeteas ’21: Medical student (M.D. candidate 2027)

“I found I had the ability to learn in different ways and was able to adapt to new learning environments.”Major: BiologyLives in: Worcester,...

Sabina Gosto Dersh ’11: Assistant VP of Métier Transformation at L’Oreal USA Research & Innovation

“While biology gave me a strong scientific foundation, the liberal arts taught me to connect science with business, culture, and human...

Julia Cline ’18: Water Resources Specialist

“I’ve become a well-rounded individual, and that makes me a competitive candidate in a highly competitive job field.”Major/minor: Biology...

Grace Weaver ’11: Artist

“Studying multiple disciplines in tandem gave me a blueprint for how I think and work today.”Major/minors: Studio Art major, Biology and Art...

Noah Gowell ’22: Medical Assistant at the Community Health Center

“I learned how to conduct scientific research and consult peer-reviewed literature, how to write a proper scientific report, and, most importantly,...

Chemistry

Gavin A. Sicard ’24: Analyst at Econ One Research

“A well-rounded education helps you make connections between subjects that most people would miss, allowing you a deeper understanding of potential...

Sarah Cleary, Ph.D. ’18: Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of HydRegen

“I’ve gained truly valuable skills that have made me a better leader, including writing and communication, navigating complex challenges, and...

Classics

Dylan Hudson ’13: Lead Data Scientist at Enzoic

“My liberal arts education gave me the ability to choose how I want to think and the confidence to follow my own path.”Major: Ancient GreekLives...

Natalie Battistone ’13: Actor (KrymovLab NYC/Riot Act LA)

“Critical thinking, academic writing, and discipline are the most important skills I cultivated through my liberal arts education.”Major/minors:...

Economics

Gavin A. Sicard ’24: Analyst at Econ One Research

“A well-rounded education helps you make connections between subjects that most people would miss, allowing you a deeper understanding of potential...

Sarang Murthy ’17: Sourcing Specialist, Environmental Assets at McKinsey & Company

“My ability to think critically, collaboratively problem-solve, and synthesize disparate sources of information is my greatest...

Auden Gall ’25: Fulbright Taiwan English Teaching Assistant

“My liberal arts education at UVM helped me build a wide range of skills, from critical thinking to creative writing.”Majors: Chinese and...

Jake Guarino ’17: Corporate Development Associate at Spotify

“Understanding how the interplay of finance, economics, and politics impact real-world decision-making was a key learning from my liberal arts...

English

Sunny Nagpaul ’20: Journalism Fellow at FRONTLINE PBS

“This course, and others included in a liberal arts education, are crucial to understanding the world beyond an American perspective… .”Major:...

Leah Murphy Jones ’01: Assistant Judge, Washington County, VT

“Through my liberal arts education I learned how to listen carefully and approach situations with  greater empathy.”Major/minor:...

Sarah Anders ’11, M.P.A ’19: Chief of Staff to the Mayor, City of Somerville

“Between my robust liberal arts education and my time on the debate team, the reading, writing, and public speaking skills I learned have changed...

Sally Wiebe ’10: Senior Manager for Customer Success at ZAGENO Inc.

“I would not know how to write well or think critically without my liberal arts education, period! I lean on these strengths every day…...

Ashley Elizabeth Miller ’23: Freelance Journalist and Pulitzer Traveling Fellow at Columbia University 

“Instead of seeing life as a predetermined plan that must be followed, the liberal arts encouraged me to see my life as a painting that I get to...

Jesse Keel ’19, M.A. ’20: Associate Preservation Specialist at Northeast Document Conservation Center

“I developed the ability to analyze complex problems, synthesize information, and communicate that information clearly.”Majors: English and...

Emily Florio ’04: Director of Knowledge Research at DLA Piper LLP (US)

“Analyzing, writing, and speaking about literature prepared me to have an inquisitive mind and read between the lines… .”Lives in: Washington,...

Environmental Studies

Sophie Meyer ’21: Program Manager at Blue Horizons Foundation

“Being comfortable synthesizing across disciplines and applying framework thinking to problem-solving has been a superpower.”Majors:...

Kazuha Kurosu ’12: Educator

“I learned to ask for help, gather information, and navigate unfamiliar territory, along with conflict resolution, teaching, creativity, and...

Emmett Gartner ’20: Environmental Journalist for The Maine Monitor

“My liberal arts education has made me a better communicator and fuels my appreciation and appetite for learning outside my job, too.”Major:...

Akriti Bhargava ’16: Legal & Regulatory Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

“Critical thinking [is] such an important skill to have – and one you can really only learn when you are around people who think, process...

Film and Television Studies

Jake Cornell ’14: Comedian, Writer, and Actor

“I think the freedom to take classes in so many different departments gave me a really nice baseline of knowledge across many different...

Peter Ackerman ’19: Documentary Filmmaker/Camera Operator & Story Producer

“Above all else, I learned how to communicate my ideas more effectively through my writing and how to listen with more intention and...

Zach Despart ’12: Investigative Reporter for the Texas Tribune

“A well-rounded liberal arts education is the best preparation for a career in journalism.”Lives in: Austin, TXMajors: Film and Television...

French and Italian

Isabella Sances ’17: Board-certified Music Therapist and Mental Health Counselor at Bella’s Beats Music Therapy & Counseling LLC

“My liberal arts degree gave me a well-rounded education and college experience, with adaptability and unique knowledge to draw from.”Majors:...

Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies

‘We Support Everybody’: UVM Students, Faculty, and Staff Join Vermont Pride Fest

Rainbow colors filled the streets of downtown Burlington, Vermont, on September 13, when thousands of people turned out for the 44th annual Pride...

Zane Zupan ’25, M.P.A ’26: Civil Rights and Legal Specialist at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont

“I believe receiving a well-rounded education has been the single greatest educational asset that I’ve had in the job market.”Majors/minor:...

Geography

Gillian Tiley ’19: Associate Urban Planner

“I couldn’t be a successful urban planner without the holistic skillset and worldview I gained from my liberal arts education at...

Tilden Mitchell ’18: International Programs Manager at Gravity Water 

“I also became adept at creative problem-solving, which was the key for me in terms of getting where I am professionally!”Lives in: Berkeley,...

Ryan Knapp ’11: Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Section Chief at Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans)

“Patience and discipline are key to seeing projects through to completion and realizing the return on investment, and my liberal arts education...

Sameera Ibrahim ’16: Population Inequities Research and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Washington

“Across all my jobs since graduating, strong writing skills and the ability to write for different audiences has been a throughline.”Lives in:...

Eliana Fox ’19: Transportation Planner at the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission

“My liberal arts degree empowers me to say, ‘I’m not totally sure how this thing works, but I am totally capable of figuring it...

Abby G. Frazier ’08, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of geography at Clark University

“I think my liberal arts education helped me to remain well-rounded in how I see the world.”Lives in: Worcester, MAMajors/minor: Geography and...

German, Russian, and Hebrew

Ben Shefner ’18: Program Officer at the National Endowment for Democracy

“Studying the liberal arts at UVM gave me a lot of skills, but the most important was how to write both academically and...

Global Studies

Tyler Wilkinson-Ray ’13: Founder and Director of The Wilder Studio

“Being a good writer is critical, but…being well-rounded and having a diverse skillset is ultimately much more important when handling the wide...

Claire Tattersfield ’19: Associate Editor for Viking Children’s Books and Flamingo Books

“My liberal arts education helped me look at a lot of very different-seeming pieces of information and see how they relate to each other, and...

Samuél Lopez-Barrantes ’10: Novelist and Literary Tour Guide

“My liberal arts education has been foundational to my professional life as a musician, novelist, and literature teacher.”Major: European...

Sameera Ibrahim ’16: Population Inequities Research and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Washington

“Across all my jobs since graduating, strong writing skills and the ability to write for different audiences has been a throughline.”Lives in:...

Health and Society

Merete Cowles ’23: Communications & Learning Fellow at the Lwala Community Alliance through the Princeton in Africa Fellowship Program

“The liberal arts approach challenges you to constantly expand your comfort zone, empowers you to ask questions, and encourages you to learn from...

History

Allison Hamlin ’10: Director of Brand Development for Eater, Punch, and Thrillist

“Being a strong, organized, and confident communicator has been the single most important professional asset in my career."Majors/minor:...

Sally Wiebe ’10: Senior Manager for Customer Success at ZAGENO Inc.

“I would not know how to write well or think critically without my liberal arts education, period! I lean on these strengths every day…...

Ben Shefner ’18: Program Officer at the National Endowment for Democracy

“Studying the liberal arts at UVM gave me a lot of skills, but the most important was how to write both academically and...

Richard S. Perkin ’03: Co-Founder of Gells Apparel

“I wear many hats as a business owner, and I think a liberal arts education is one that forces you to wear many hats as a student.”Lives in:...

Andrew Lieberman ’13: Director of Partner Management at Celonis

“The business world is moving at a break-neck pace, and a liberal arts education teaches you to learn and adapt.”Major/minors: History major,...

Jesse Keel ’19, M.A. ’20: Associate Preservation Specialist at Northeast Document Conservation Center

“I developed the ability to analyze complex problems, synthesize information, and communicate that information clearly.”Majors: English and...

Andrew Bowen ’15: Executive Search Consultant for AGB Search

“My liberal arts education enables me to understand, appreciate, and take an interest in those professions, and to understand the systems in place...

Eliza Alford ’13: Policy Director for Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson

“It gave me the skills and confidence I needed to find success in a difficult industry without a clear career path.”Majors: History and Political...

Alex Auman ’09: Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Foreign Service

“I would not be an American diplomat today if I did not have the critical thinking skills I developed during my time at UVM.”Lives in: Ciudad...
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Linguistics

Claudia Garber ’18: Senior Linguist for Sonos Voice Control

“With a liberal arts background, I have learned to think about problems in multiple contexts—and this ability has helped me to get where I am...

Mathematics

Abby G. Frazier ’08, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of geography at Clark University

“I think my liberal arts education helped me to remain well-rounded in how I see the world.”Lives in: Worcester, MAMajors/minor: Geography and...

Music

Isabella Sances ’17: Board-certified Music Therapist and Mental Health Counselor at Bella’s Beats Music Therapy & Counseling LLC

“My liberal arts degree gave me a well-rounded education and college experience, with adaptability and unique knowledge to draw from.”Majors:...

Neuroscience

Neuroscience

Sam Pasqualoni ’22: Research Associate at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

“I feel my liberal arts education has given me an edge in the science world. What good are technical skills without the ability to effectively...

Azilee Curl ’20: Health and Wellness Coach and Heath Technology Consultant

“Taking a dynamic and multidisciplinary approach to problem solving, career development, and my passions has contributed heavily to where I am...

Philosophy

Philosophy

Peter Zipparo ’11: Associate General Counsel

“This gave me the ability to understand diverse perspectives, construct an effective argument, and challenge my own biases.”Major/minor:...

Sarah Anders ’11, M.P.A ’19: Chief of Staff to the Mayor, City of Somerville

“Between my robust liberal arts education and my time on the debate team, the reading, writing, and public speaking skills I learned have changed...

Madeline Hyde Tagatac ’21: Program Associate at ZemiTek, LLC

“Do not underestimate the power and importance of critical thinking, analytical reading and comprehension, and clean, solid writing!”Majors:...

Adam Bottini ’15: Senior Business Process Consultant for GlideFast

“Don’t be deterred from getting a degree in liberal arts—the skills you learn will carry you professionally into success.”Lives in: Columbia,...

Thomas D. Campbell ’13, J.D.: Trial Attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section

“At UVM, I learned how to read, understand, and summarize complex theories into succinct and compelling arguments tailored to a specific target...

Political Science

Political Science

Zane Zupan ’25, M.P.A ’26: Civil Rights and Legal Specialist at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont

“I believe receiving a well-rounded education has been the single greatest educational asset that I’ve had in the job market.”Majors/minor:...

Jason Hitchcock ’07: Director, Dryden Architecture and Design, pllc

“I think the biggest impact for me was the communication skills I learned as part of the Lawrence Debate Union (LDU).”Major/minors: Political...

Gillian Tiley ’19: Associate Urban Planner

“I couldn’t be a successful urban planner without the holistic skillset and worldview I gained from my liberal arts education at...

Claire Tattersfield ’19: Associate Editor for Viking Children’s Books and Flamingo Books

“My liberal arts education helped me look at a lot of very different-seeming pieces of information and see how they relate to each other, and...

Madeline Hyde Tagatac ’21: Program Associate at ZemiTek, LLC

“Do not underestimate the power and importance of critical thinking, analytical reading and comprehension, and clean, solid writing!”Majors:...

Tori Staley ’17, J.D.: Legal Fellow at the CPCS Innocence Program

“Having a well-rounded liberal arts education…taught me how to use my network of people and my community to help solve the problems around...

Ben Shefner ’18: Program Officer at the National Endowment for Democracy

“Studying the liberal arts at UVM gave me a lot of skills, but the most important was how to write both academically and...

Liz Paley ’88: Founder & Principal at Framework Consulting

“It’s painting with a broad brush to describe a great liberal arts education as the foundation for everything, but I really feel that...

Jason Maulucci ’17: Campaign Manager for VT Governor Phil Scott

“A liberal arts education best prepares you for a job where you’re dealing with a whole host of subjects, because you can draw on the skills you...

Sameera Ibrahim ’16: Population Inequities Research and Outreach Coordinator at the University of Washington

“Across all my jobs since graduating, strong writing skills and the ability to write for different audiences has been a throughline.”Lives in:...

Zach Despart ’12: Investigative Reporter for the Texas Tribune

“A well-rounded liberal arts education is the best preparation for a career in journalism.”Lives in: Austin, TXMajors: Film and Television...

Robin Craren ’10: Senior Coordinator for Collections Information and Research at the Barnes Foundation

“Being able to take classes in different, but related, areas has helped me immensely and given me the ability to make connections between disparate...

Andrew Bowen ’15: Executive Search Consultant for AGB Search

“My liberal arts education enables me to understand, appreciate, and take an interest in those professions, and to understand the systems in place...

Adam Bottini ’15: Senior Business Process Consultant for GlideFast

“Don’t be deterred from getting a degree in liberal arts—the skills you learn will carry you professionally into success.”Lives in: Columbia,...

Akriti Bhargava ’16: Legal & Regulatory Analyst, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

“Critical thinking [is] such an important skill to have – and one you can really only learn when you are around people who think, process...

Lydia Bates ’14: Program Manager for Partnerships at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)

“My liberal arts education…has helped me to think critically, understand and appreciate differing perspectives, and work towards responses to...

Eliza Alford ’13: Policy Director for Philadelphia City Council Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson

“It gave me the skills and confidence I needed to find success in a difficult industry without a clear career path.”Majors: History and Political...

Alex Auman ’09: Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Foreign Service

“I would not be an American diplomat today if I did not have the critical thinking skills I developed during my time at UVM.”Lives in: Ciudad...

Psychology

Psychology

Joanna Streck, Ph.D. ’20: Assistant Professor in Psychiatry and Medicine at Harvard Medical School

“Having a well-rounded education…has taught me the value of collaborating with others, the importance of respecting diverse viewpoints, and the...

Rebecca Stormberg ’17: Oncology Social Worker (LCSW) at Providence Cancer Institute

“I feel that my liberal arts education enabled me to challenge myself, think outside the box, and think critically.”Major/minor: Psychology...

Sophie Meyer ’21: Program Manager at Blue Horizons Foundation

“Being comfortable synthesizing across disciplines and applying framework thinking to problem-solving has been a superpower.”Majors:...

Hayley Perelman ’10, Ph.D.: Licensed Psychologist and Sport Psychologist in Private Practice

“Having a liberal arts education helped me build my critical thinking abilities. I still occasionally reflect on the English and philosophy courses...

Religion

Religion

Marisa (Westheimer) Wilson ’06: Director, George Eastman Circle, Annual Giving, University of Rochester Advancement

“A liberal arts education gave me the tools to understand the world in its complexity and to approach unfamiliar people, cultures, and situations...

Joey Oteng ’15, J.D.: Visiting Assistant Professor, Attorney, Ph.D. Candidate

“I gained useful skills in critical thinking, effective communication, and sustainable community engagement.”Major: ReligionLives in: Columbus,...

Mairé Lattanzi ’18: Analyst on the International Affairs and Trade team at the Government Accountability Office (GAO)

“This ability to think about my work in ways that may be different from folks who come from a specific or specialized background has been...

Sociology

Sociology

Zane Zupan ’25, M.P.A ’26: Civil Rights and Legal Specialist at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont

“I believe receiving a well-rounded education has been the single greatest educational asset that I’ve had in the job market.”Majors/minor:...

Leniece Flowers ’05: Senior Global Program Manager for Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at LinkedIn

“My ability to ask the hard questions, synthesize information quickly, and communicate with clarity and conviction has shaped every step of my...

Interested in learning more about becoming involved as a UVM alum? Visit the UVM Foundation Alumni Association page.

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