From academics to real-world impact, explore stories from our community that highlight the people and experiences making Occidental College a place of opportunity, discovery, and success.
Mikayla Woods Student Black Studies American Studies English At Oxy, Mikayla Woods is focused on Blackness through an interdisciplinary lens as she pursues her goal of eventually earning a Ph.D. in Black Studies. She is finding inspiration and support from her faculty mentors every step of the way.
Michael Gonzales ’96 Alumni Diplomacy & World Affairs Michael was appointed by President Joe Biden as ambassador to Zambia, building on a long, dedicated career in foreign service and development work in Africa.
Nick Graves Student Diplomacy & World Affairs Media Arts & Culture An appreciation for the international sphere has dovetailed with an interest in media and television production for Nick Graves ’23. An internship with Disney and the Academy Gold Rising Program is moving him forward along his path.
Emma Galbraith Student Urban & Environmental Policy Theater & Performance Studies Emma Galbraith ’25 balances twin passions for environmental justice and theater, taking on both community organizing and starring in a Geffen Playhouse production in Los Angeles. Oxy is providing her with a path to pursue both.
Jason Dworkin ’91 Alumni Biochemistry Astrobiologist Jason Dworkin ’91 has devoted the better part of two decades to a NASA mission to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu.
McClaran Shirley Student Biology Occidental College Science Scholar McClaran Shirley ’22 studies the effect of ocean acidification on marine gastropods, or sea snails.
Ryan Hino Student Biochemistry Occidental College Science Scholar Ryan Hino ’22 researches sustainable alternatives to combat the drug and antibiotic resistance problem.
Amelia Muscott Student Geology Occidental College Science Scholar Amelia Muscott ’22 studies glaciers by analyzing lakebed sediments in Wyoming’s Teton Mountain Range.
Kian Shamskhou Student Biochemistry Occidental College Science Scholar Kian Shamskhou ’22 studies chemical reactions that form bonds between carbon atoms, seeking to find less toxic alternatives.
Richard Reyes ’12 Alumni Critical Theory & Social Justice Richard empowers high school students in his Los Angeles community through storytelling, providing them with the tools to tell their own stories through his nonprofit PLUS ME, which was spotlighted at this year’s Super Bowl.
Stephanie Nelli Faculty Cognitive Science Meet Stephanie Nelli of Cognitive Science, who studies the computational principles underlying rapid learning and flexible decision-making in novel environments.
Princess Masilungan ’13 Alumni Diplomacy & World Affairs At Oxy, Princess realized that as a lawyer she could support social movements she was passionate about. Now, having graduated from law school, she is making that goal a reality.
