All systems are go for Longwood’s newest alumni
Molly Monaghan
Hometown: La Plata, Maryland
Major: Master of Science, special education
Honors: Member of Phi Kappa Phi
What’s next: Special education teacher
Where: L. Douglas Wilder Middle School in Henrico County
Took a leap: Teaching at a bilingual school in Costa Rica during a study abroad program was only part of the challenge. “I climbed a volcano, trekked through a rain forest and jumped off a waterfall.”
Legacy of lunacy: Molly was president of the student athletics booster group, Lancer Lunatics, for two years.
Something just clicked: “She was a student some had written off,” Molly says of the third grader she helped study for standardized tests at the end of the year. “To see the light in her eyes as she began to understand what she had read was something I’ll never forget.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Whitney Curtis, athletics. “She helped shape my leadership and administration skills and taught me to dream big.”
Shawn Anderson
Hometown: Louisa County
Major: Liberal studies with a minor in history
What’s next: Master of Education program focusing on student affairs and higher education
Where: University of Virginia
Internship makes perfect: He’ll be plying his new skills in the athletics department’s academic affairs office at UVa.
Empowerment 101: Longwood completely changed my plans by showing me what I am very passionate about, how I could achieve my goals and that I can accomplish practically anything I put my mind to.”
Hidden talent: Shawn pulled off a crowd-pleasing lip-sync performance of “Country Girl (Shake it for Me)” at Sigma Kappa’s King of our Heart event.
A big helping of helping hand, with fries: He was part of the team that restored Walker’s Diner in Farmville and volunteered at the food pantry, Habitat for Humanity and at Longwood Speech, Hearing and Learning Services (to name a few).
Couldn’t have done it without: Stacey Wilkerson, Office of First Year Experience and Family Programs, and Caroline Gibbs, Office of Financial Aid. “They always helped and encouraged me when I needed it most.”
Constance Garner
Hometown: Clarksville
Major: Business administration (management) with minors in political science and leadership studies
What’s next: Macy’s Executive Development Program
Ask the expert: Even before starting the two month training program, Constance was already being asked about discounts and for fashion advice.
Did you ever watch Office Space?: An internship with Macy’s opened her eyes to a new direction for her career in retail management. I love business, but was in a panic about spending a career behind a desk.”
Ms. Garner Goes to Washington: While serving as student government president, represented Longwood on Capitol Hill to discuss college affordability with members of Congress.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Tim Pierson and Larry Robertson, student affairs. “Dr. Pierson gave me confidence to step up and take on big roles, and Dean Robertson kept me grounded and reminded me
Molly Kabis
Hometown: Severna Park, Maryland
Major: Kinesiology
Honors: Member of Cormier Honors College and Phi Kappa Phi
What’s next: Master’s program in clinical exercise physiology
Where: University of Florida, Gainesville
Dirty little secret: One of the things that attracted her to Longwood was watching a game of oozeball (volleyball played in a mud pit) during her first visit to campus. I couldn’t wait to do that as a student.”
Beyond the Numbers: Molly is proud of the work she did to help start this new afterschool program for children in Farmville.
This means war: During her senior year, she helped organize Color Wars, Longwood’s longtime tradition where students douse each other with red and green paint.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Nate Saunders, exercise science. “He was always so helpful as an advisor and with research. He really took me under his wing.”
Bryan McQueen
Hometown: Farmville
Major: Biology with a minor in chemistry
What’s next: Ph.D. program in immunology
Where: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
No zombie outbreaks on his watch: Plans to focus his research on infectious diseases and one day work for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Top billing: Was first author on a research paper published in the journal Immunology.
You may have seen him: Working full time as a paramedic in Farmville.
Longwood is like family: Actually it literally is family. His mother works in the art department, and his father is a construction manager at the university.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Amorette Barber, biology. “She provided advice, guidance and motivation. It would be impossible to describe all she has done for me.”
Alexander O’Dell
Hometown: Crozet
Major: Economics with minors in business administration and psychology
Honors: Member of Phi Kappa Phi
What’s next: Operations analyst
Where: NISA Investment Advisors in St. Louis, Missouri
Legit leadership: “I always thought the citizen leader slogan was just a saying to entice potential students, but it really is the most accurate description of Longwood. If you let it, this school can turn you into the best version of yourself.”
Unforgettable: As a member of Longwood’s Division I men’s golf team, Alex hit a hole in one during a practice round at a course in Pennsylvania. The team went on to win that tournament.
Looking for green on the greens: Would like to find a way to make a career in the business of golf.
Couldn’t have done it without: Melinda Fowlkes, College of Business and Economics. She went out of her way to help me.”
Daniel Schimoler
Hometown: Chantilly
Major: Integrated environmental science
What’s next: Master’s program in geography focused on climatology
Where: Texas A&M University, College Station
Head in the clouds, feet on the ground: As a research scientist, Daniel will be exploring big issues of energy and how they affect the atmosphere and our climate.
Horse sense: Started “Elwooding” sophomore year and had fun representing Longwood as the school’s mascot at a variety of events.
Red-hot research: Made an award-winning presentation of research on wildfires to the American Meteorological Society Conference.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Christopher Labosier, environmental science. “He was a mentor and role model who inspired me to become a research scientist.”
Kaylin Grainger
Hometown: Drakes Branch
Major: Nursing with minors in biology and health education
What’s next: Telemetry medical surgical unit
Where: Centra Southside Community Hospital in Farmville
House calls: Kaylin describes her experience as a resident assistant in Stubbs Hall as part nurse/part mom. She did everything from nursing colds to removing splinters.
Blue blood: She is very proud of the Longwood community, which stepped up and helped her and the Student Nursing Association more than double blood drive donations on campus.
Her South American connection: She will always remember the little 5-year-old with Down syndrome she met on a study abroad trip to Ecuador. “He was so shy but we made a special connection, and he really came out of his shell with us.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Cynthia Crews, nursing. “She was not only my professor, simulation instructor and supervisor in lab, she was also like my ‘mom’ at school.”
Catherine Kinsley
Hometown: Fairfax
Major: Anthropology
Honors: Member of Cormier Honors College
What’s next: A job, an internship and a master’s program in archaeology
Where: Smithsonian Institution in Washington for the job and internship; University of Leicester in England for graduate school
Inspired by actual events: Will be serving as a “Q?rius” (pronounced curious) volunteer at the Smithsonian in the hands-on, high-tech learning lab at the Natural History Museum.
Sweet dreams: “My dream job is to be a researcher for the Smithsonian, so I couldn’t be more excited.”
Already rocking the research: At the Mid Atlantic Archaeological Conference, Catherine presented an award-winning paper on the application of technology to the analysis of a soapstone quarry.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. James Jordan, anthropology. “He was my Senior Honors Thesis advisor and put up with about two years of my terrible first drafts. He really helped to push me out of my comfort zone.”
Hailey Gilbert
Hometown: Morristown, New Jersey
Major: Communication sciences and disorders with a minor in special education
Honors: Member of Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Alpha Pi national leadership society
What’s next: Master of Science program in deaf education
Where: School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis
She saw the signs: Two summers of working with deaf and hard-of-hearing children inspired her career choice.
Keine ahnung: Hailey used this phrase as a learning tool while she was studying abroad with the very welcoming and generous people of Germany. It means “no idea.”
Fessing up: Now it can be said that it was Hailey and other Mortar Board members who ate the chicken wings in the dressing room of a certain Oktoberfest act that showed up five hours late.
Her pen pal: She misses her “Little Buddy,” a fourth-grader at Prince Edward Elementary she used to bring games and snacks for during after-school programs.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Lissa Power-deFur, communication sciences and disorders. “She has been a remarkable resource and encouraged me to follow my dreams.”
Katelyn Gough
Hometown: Dillwyn
Major: Business administration (accounting)
Honors: Member of Phi Kappa Phi
What’s next: Working as an auditor with a Big 4 accounting firm
Where: Ernst & Young, Richmond
Fighting crime her way: Katelyn ultimately wants to be a forensic accounting investigator. “A crime scene is not my scene, but I can work with the numbers.”
Pose of the dancer: Loved the fitness center and spent a lot of time in yoga classes to burn off stress.
Learned by teaching: Found being a tutor for other students was a great way to help people and keep on top of her skills.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dean Paul Barrett, Dr. Robert Cochran, Claire LaRoche and Tiffany Park, College of Business and Economics. “They were all great advocates and provided invaluable career insights.”
Samuel King
Hometown: Herndon
Major: Chemistry with a minor in physics
What’s next: Ph.D. program in analytical chemistry, full scholarship
Where: North Carolina State University in Raleigh
Big work on very small things: A research project in theoretical chemistry focused on molecular electronics and what happens at levels we can’t see, or what he calls “ridiculously small.”
Better living through chemistry: He hopes to work in the field of materials science, where he can contribute to the development of better scientific instruments.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Benjamin Topham, chemistry. “He supported my undergraduate research and presentation at American Chemical Society meetings.”
Michelle Marcus
Hometown: Richmond
Major: Business administration with a concentration in information systems and cyber security
Honors: Member of Cormier Honors College
What’s next: Configuration analyst for Northrop Grumman, a leading global security company. Her assignment is with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington.
Brave new world: “Some of my friends are nervous about the future and not sure what they want to do, but I am starting my job two weeks after graduation. I’m really excited.”
Trailblazer: Was the only woman in an IT internship for her new employer. “I took it as a challenge. I think I have an advantage because I have a good balance of technical and people skills.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. James Haug, College of Business and Economics. Dr. Haug went out of his way to give me additional resources and answer questions.”
Juanita Huipio
Hometown: Fairfax
Major: Double major in psychology and Spanish with a minor in criminal justice
What’s next: Master’s program in forensic and legal psychology
Where: Marymount University in Arlington
As seen on TV: When she was a youngster, Juanita saw a psychologist on an episode of “Law and Order” and decided that was what she wanted to do. “My goal is to help victims of domestic disputes, especially women and children.”
Guilty pleasure: Reading crime novels, especially those by Patricia Cornwell
The fires of spring: She will always remember seeing residents in the town of Fallas celebrate spring and the New Year by burning specially made wooden statues during her study-abroad program in Spain. “I loved every minute of it.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Francisco Javier Fernández Urenda, Spanish. “He encouraged me to double major and opened my perspective on so many new possibilities.”
Betty Brown
Hometown: Fredericksburg
Major: Communication studies with a minor in anthropology
What’s next: Horse wrangler and ranch hand
Where: Fort Union Ranch, Watrous, New Mexico
Call of the wild: A trip to Saguaro National Park in Arizona with the Alternative Breaks group helped her realize working outdoors was essential to her happiness.
Lightbulb moment: She was inspired on an anthropology class trip to the World Heritage Site in Poverty Point, Louisiana, to study prehistoric earthworks. “I want to share with others the feeling of amazement I felt the day I walked where humans lived and worked thousands of years ago.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Jim Jordan and Dr. Brian Bates, anthropology; Dr. Alec Hosterman, Dr. Laura Farrell and Dr. Naomi Johnson, communication studies. “They were all so helpful and challenged me to live up to my potential.”
Emily Gallihugh
Hometown: Sterling
Major: Liberal studies with a minor in leadership studies
Honors: Member of Cormier Honors College and Sigma Alpha Pi National Leadership Society
What’s next: Outdoor adventure internship
Where: Ligonier Camp & Conference Center in Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Life is an adventure: After going through a challenge course freshman year, Emily fell in love with the idea of learning leadership through adventure and added a leadership studies concentration to her major.
Watch out for that tree: Will always remember the Longwood @ Yellowstone program and the view from a tiny platform high above the trees at Gallatin National Forest just before zip-lining with the other students. “That was the moment of realization of what I could do.”
Putting it together: “I want to be outdoors and help people who are unsure of who they are and what to do reach their full potential.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. John Miller, English. “Dr. Miller was my biggest supporter at Longwood.”
Tyler Cepeda
Hometown: Hampton
Major: Criminal justice
What’s next: Master’s degree program in social work
Where: Virginia Commonwealth University
It’s not like on TV: “Forensic work is a lot more tedious in real life, ”Tyler learned from an internship with the Alexandria Police Department Crime Scene Investigators. What you see in an hour on TV can take months or more.”
Choosing futures over felons: A single class on social work convinced Tyler that he wanted to make a career helping people create better lives rather than focus on punishing criminals.
Hope I helped: “In my three years as an RA, I tried to help a lot of freshmen having trouble adjusting. That time meant a lot to me, and I hope I was a positive influence.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Larry Robertson, dean of students. “Dean Robertson has been a great role model and motivated me to pursue what I am passionate about, no matter the challenges.”
Matthew Brehm
Hometown: Falls Church
Major: Theatre technology
What’s next: Staff electrician
Where: Gateway Playhouse in Bellport, New York
Made Santa look good: As a senior, Matt served as assistant lighting designer under Scott Chapman for the world premiere of Kris Kringle The Musical at the Olmsted Performing Arts Center in Ohio.
Beach alternative: Worked in theater the past three summers, including the Texas Shakespeare Festival in 2015.
Walked for Mom: “Relay for Life was important to me because my mother passed away from breast cancer when I was 13. I walked to honor her.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Leslie Cook- Day, theatre; Clint Wright, Conference and Event Services; Scott Chapman, theatre. Professor Chapman taught me the steps to become a designer. Clint filled in gaps on the technical side, and Professor Cook- Day provided the challenges that sparked my creativity.”
Olivia K. Colella
Hometown: Herndon
Major: Biology with a minor in chemistry.
Honors: Member of the Cormier Honors College and Phi Kappa Phi
What’s next: Master’s program in forensic science with a concentration in physical analysis
Where: Virginia Commonwealth University
Inspired by actual events: Or at least a TV show. She loves CSI Miami and owns a box set of every episode. It is a big reason for her career choice.
How you may know her: As No. 10. A three-year starter on Longwood’s Division I soccer team, Olivia scored 12 goals in her career with 11 assists, and she was proud to have been team captain her senior year.
Close to her heart: After a life-altering study-abroad trip to Nepal, she watched the news in horror as an earthquake hit the nation she had so recently visited. She worried about the children she met whose futures were so uncertain even before that disaster.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Sarah Porter, chemistry. “Working with her was instrumental in my decision to pursue forensic science as a career.”
Claudia Flink
Hometown: Chesapeake
Major: Biology
Honors: Member of Cormier Honors College and Phi Kappa Phi
What’s next: Clinical research assistant in cardiac research
Where: Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
A second home for science nerds: Her love for biology meant she could usually be found hanging out at Chichester Science Center
Going bananas over jaguars and horses: Among her greatest memories was studying in Costa Rica, where she learned about the economics of bananas and jaguars and got to ride horseback through the mountains.
Found puppy love: Helped start a volunteer program called the Animal Appreciation Club, which contributed to the quadrupling of the adoption rate for rescued animals at the Southside SPCA.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Dale Beach, biology. “We traveled to the Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium to present research. He was a wonderful mentor and my biggest supporter
Shelby Furman
Hometown: Stafford
Major: Chemistry with minors in mathematics and physics
What’s next: Ph.D. program in organic chemistry
Where: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Interval Training: Shelby participated in PRISM, Longwood’s summer research program that provides students with a stipend and housing—and some fun at the end of long days in the lab. “A great memory will be the fun we had taking turns making dinner and relaxing.”
A legacy of brominated phenols: Shelby’s project involved preparing and screening these anti-microbials for use by students taking organic chemistry classes in the future.
Dumbledore would have been proud: She enjoyed serving as a chemistry wizard, which involved tutoring younger students in general and organic chemistry.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Andrew Yeagley, chemistry. “He really went out of his way to help me succeed.”
Close
Alex H. Khammari
Hometown: Rocheserviere, France
Major: Business administration (management)
What’s next: Master’s program in information systems management
Where: Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A friend for backseat drivers: Alex hopes to combine his love for travel and cars with working on the development of autonomous vehicles.
Uniting nations: He and several other students formed an international study group to “help other international students adapt to college in America.”
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Charles White and Dr. Randy Boyle, College of Business and Economics; Patricia Trent, international admissions. “Dr. White and Dr. Boyle had a deep impact on my professional life, and my adventure at Longwood would not have been possible without the help of Patricia Trent.”
Rachel C. Lombardi
Hometown: Marlton, New Jersey
Major: Integrated environmental science
What’s next: Master’s program in geography, focusing on earth systems and geomorphology
Where: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
Will be “rolling” along any minute: Hasn’t caught the “Roll Tide” bug yet but expects to soon.
Science mom: As one of only two women in the first graduating class in environmental science, the underclassmen called her “mom.”
When Idle hands lead to good things: Hearing Rachel had some extra time one semester, a professor took her on as a research assistant—changing the course of her life and her career direction.
From turf to surf She started at Longwood as a field hockey player but decided to devote her full energy to becoming a researcher studying water.
Couldn’t have done it without: Dr. Kathy Gee, environmental science. “Dr. Gee took a special interest and introduced me to research. She has taught me through example how to be a good scientist and a hardworking student.”