Name: Brooke Alexander '24 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
Prospective Majors: Math and Political Science
Activities on campus: Club Soccer, Club Crew, Smart Women Securities, Amherst Connects
Hobbies: running, reading, baking, spending time with friends, getting outside
Hi! My name is Brooke Alexander and I am a junior from Columbus, Ohio. I came to Amherst because I really wanted to have a small college experience. I like that when I walk around campus, I see familiar faces, that I have access to incredible professors and small classes, and that I can get involved in campus life in many different ways, even as a first-year. I was definitely nervous to leave home and come to school on the east coast, but the Amherst community has been the most welcoming and caring group I have ever been a part of. The people I have met are all driven, diverse in all senses of the word, excited about what they are learning (in part due to the open curriculum), and also are invested in their activities outside of class. They are kind and push me to be the best version of myself. Outside of academics, I enjoy getting outside, running, reading, make-shift dorm baking / cooking, participating in club sports, and spending time with friends. I have had a great experience so far and I am really excited for what the next semesters will bring!
Name: Isaac Bindman '24 (he/him/his)
Languages spoken: English, German
Hometown: New York, New York
Prospective Majors: History and German
Activities on campus: A Better Chance Tutoring, Education Professions Fellowship, Amherst Political Union, Amherst Quizbowl
Hobbies: Reading, jogging, following soccer, adding more posters for my room
Hi! My name is Isaac Bindman and I am a junior here at Amherst. Even though I visited almost 25 colleges, picking Amherst was a very easy decision for me. I was immediately drawn to the welcoming environment and the flexible yet rigorous academic curriculum. I am so grateful for the kind and motivated students I have met, as well as the hugely supportive faculty. On campus, you will probably find me plugged into an audiobook with my ninth cup of Earl Grey tea of the day, or maybe on the third floor of Frost library with an obscure German text. Please feel free to contact me at ibindman24@amherst.edu to ask about any aspect of academics, student life, or maybe the time I dressed up as President Biddy Martin for Halloween. Amherst is everything I hoped it would be and I look forward to sharing it with all of you!
Name: Bridget Cassata (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Annandale, Virginia
Prospective Majors: Biology and Statistics
Activities on campus: Amherst Track and Field, Intersections Dance Company, Amherst LEADS, Chemistry TA, Biology Peer Tutor
Hobbies: Reading, Dancing, Playing card and board games with friends
Hello! My name is Bridget and I am a junior from Annandale, Virginia, located right outside Washington, D.C. When looking at colleges, I knew I wanted a smaller, liberal arts school, and I specifically liked the New England area. I was intrigued by the open curriculum at Amherst, as well as the research opportunities for undergraduates that not all colleges provide. As soon as I arrived on campus for a visit and tour, I knew that I had found my ideal place. Entering the college as a first-year confirmed that I had made the perfect choice. The Amherst community is so welcoming. Students genuinely care about one another. It is always so nice to walk through campus and see people you know every time, from students to faculty. I found my family through the track team, but there are so many other clubs, teams, and organizations that provide this new sense of family and community for incoming students. If you have any questions about the Amherst experience feel free to reach out to me at bcassata24@amherst.edu!
Name: Leland Culver (he/him/his or they/them/theirs)
Languages spoken: English, Latin
Hometown: Gary, Indiana
Prospective Majors: Theatre and Dance and Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought
Activities on campus: Green Room, The Indicator, The Amherst Student, Fencing Club, Theatrical Choreography Club, Board Game Club
Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Singing, Playing and Making Video Games, Violin (on occasion), Origami
Favorite question asked on tours: What's the laundry situation like?
Greetings, fellow traveler— comrade— ...friend? I hope you find yourself well. I have the pleasure (I think) of being Leland Culver, junior from Gary, Indiana—like the song. I'm a prospective Theater and Dance and Law, Jurisprudence and Social Thought major (that's only two majors there), and I use he/him and they/them pronouns. I spend a lot of my time on campus working/hanging around with the Green Room, which is the student-run theater group at Amherst; or else sequestered in some small, cozy space writing for the Indicator (student literary magazine), the Amherst Student (student newspaper), or, if things are really dire, my classes. When I can, I love to ride around town or the countryside on my bike—it's really beautiful out here and you should take the chance, if you can, to hike around a bit. To complete my nerdiness, I am also a fencer, playing with swords like it's the 1500s. If you've made it to the end of this, thanks for reading! And I hope to see you on campus sometime.
Name: CiCi Curran '24 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: McLean, Virginia
Prospective Majors: Asian Languages and Civilizations and Psychology; the Five College Culture, Health, and Sciences Certificate
Activities on campus: Women's Soccer Team, At-Large Member of Title IX Student Senate Committee, 3D: Difference for the Developmentally Disabled, Amherst LEADS, and AC Public Health Collaborative
Hobbies: Food (cooking and eating!), true crime podcasts, and getting active in any way!
Hi! My name is CiCi and I'm a junior at Amherst College. I came to Amherst in the hopes of getting to know people from diverse backgrounds (whether that be ethnic, political, you name it) in the intimate environment of a small college, and that's exactly what I've gotten. It seems every day there's something new small thing to love about it here. From talking through my favorite book with a pod-mate until 10 PM, to getting sunburnt from playing spike ball for one hour too many on the quad, there are so many experiences and opportunities to love about Amherst and the community it fosters. I have so many different interests that I've only just begun to explore at Amherst so I would love to share my experiences with anyone willing to listen! Please don't hesitate to email me at ccurran24@amherst.edu!
Name: Ari Dengler '24 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Prospective Majors: English
Activities on campus: Amherst Club Rowing, Food Justice Alliance, Amherst Connects
Hobbies: Weightlifting, writing, watching movies & tv shows, making art
Hey there! My name is Ari and I'm from Boise, Idaho. I'm a junior at Amherst College and have absolutely loved my experience so far. Despite the restrictions of the pandemic, I have made so many amazing friends and developed such a strong sense of community at Amherst. On campus, you'll likely catch me walking on the bike path with friends, in the freshmen quad dominating at Spikeball, or at Late Night devouring mozzarella sticks. When it’s homework grind time, you can find me in Frost Library or the Science Center working on assignments for my courses that are so interdisciplinary and niche that they practically scream “liberal arts!”. (I love my weird, niche classes, but if that’s not your thing, there’s ‘normal’ classes too). The professors at Amherst are encouraging and supporting, and the open curriculum ensures that the people in your class actually want to be there. Both socially and academically, I am so grateful I chose to be a mammoth! If you have any questions about the Amherst experience, please reach out to me at adengler24@amherst.edu.
Name: Jackeline Fernandes '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Hometown: Port Washington, New York
Prospective Majors: English and Psychology
Activities on campus: The Amherst Student (Newspaper), The Indicator (Literary Magazine), CARC peer mentor, tour guide, WAMH Radio, Bluestockings A Capella
Hobbies: Dancing, writing, reading, running on the bike trail, and calculating the right ratio of ice cream to chocolate milk at Val to make milkshakes!
Favorite question asked on tours: What is the typical Amherst student like?
Hi! My name is Jackie and I'm currently a junior here at Amherst College. I'm from Port Washington, New York—a humid yet scenic waterfront town out in the Long Island suburbs. In typical English major fashion, you'll often spot me with my nose in a book on one of the numerous Adirondack chairs scattered around the First Year Quad. You might also find me napping in one under the shade. I vividly remember touring Amherst for the first time: panting as I climbed the 77 stairs up to Memorial Hill, I thought to myself, "There's no way I'm climbing these stairs ever again." Despite my deep-seated aversion to these stairs in the past, I now trudge up these stairs proudly at least once every day for the beautiful hilltop views of the distant Holyoke Range, and as I make my way up from the hill to the First Year Quad, I'm always guaranteed to bump into a friendly face—a warm reminder of the closeness that defines the Amherst community. If you ever have any questions about Amherst, please feel free to email me at jfernandes24@amherst.edu!
Name: Conner Glynn '24 (he/him/his)
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Hometown: Danville, California
Prospective Majors: Political Science and Spanish; 5 College Certificate in International Relations
Activities on campus: Mock Trial, Model UN, APUl, Political Science Research
Hobbies: Baking, hiking, biking, going to the beach, listening to political podcasts
Hey everyone! My name is Conner and I'm a junior studying Political Science and Spanish here at Amherst. Growing up in a small suburb in California, I always knew I wanted to break free and move to the other coast. While I love the scenery of Western Massachusetts, I still think I prefer California "winters" to New England blizzards. I wanted to go to a small school to find a tight-knit group of friends and an intimate learning environment inside the classroom. Amherst has far surpassed my expectations as a curious, engaged, and loving community. Everyone here is passionate about something unique and niche, and professors always help to foster that passion. My passion is for politics, so on campus, I’m involved in anything and everything political – Mock Trial, Model UN, Amherst Political Union, and Political Science research here and at UMass. If you have an hour (or more) to kill, I’d love to talk politics!
Name: Dan Gonzalez-Kosasky '24 (he/him/his)
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland
Prospective Major: Biology
Activities on campus: Men's Rugby, research assistant for the Hewitt Lab, field assistant for the Clotfelter Lab, Orientation Leader, La Causa
Hobbies: guitar, fishing, powerlifting, hiking, whitewater kayaking
Hello! My name is Dan Gonzalez-Kosasky and I am a current junior at Amherst from about an hour outside of D.C. Growing up I played a lot of sports, but ended up taking rowing very seriously. By my senior year of high school I had earned multiple collegiate rowing offers from multiple divisions and I committed to a different school in the northeast to row. When they flew me out to meet the team, they told me that every few years one of their pre-approved recruits does not get into the school, so they told me to try and visit some back up schools just in case. On a whim, I visited Amherst even though they do not have a varsity crew team. I immediately fell in love. Despite ample discouragement from my college counselors and family, I de-committed from the other school and applied to Amherst early decision. The next month I became the first student in my school’s history to get accepted into and enroll at Amherst. I have not regretted this decision for a second and would be happy to answer any of your questions over email. Have a great rest of your day!
Name: Joy Hall '24 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Florida
Prospective Major: Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought
Activities on campus: Outing Club, Tour Guide, Active Minds, Effective Altruism, Pedagogical Partner, Event Manager
Hobbies: Running, dancing, listening to music, turning up, going for walks
Hey! Hey! Hey! I'm Joy! I am currently a junior here at Amherst College. It fills me with so much joy (pun intended of course) to be a part of this community and I am grateful for all of the opportunities here which promote my growth both academically and personally. This is important to me because as I was applying for colleges, I greatly desired to attend an institution that would not only further my education, but also further my development as a person. Amherst has done just that for me so far with its unique environment. From grabbing meals, to class and office hours, to exploring and breaking it down in my zumba class (yes I get down... and then I get back up), there is just so much to appreciate and be apart of here that shape the Amherst experience. I've met so many wonderful people, seen so many wonderful sites and done so many wonderful things. Tusks Up! Let's go Mammoths!
Name: Luke Herzog '24 (he/him/his)
Hometown: Pacific Grove, California
Prospective Majors: English
Activities on campus: Green Room Student Theater, Mr. Gad's House of Improv, Amherst Dialectic
Hobbies: Creative writing, reading, watching movies, and going to shows/performances!
Favorite question asked on tours: What's your favorite spot on campus?
Hello, hello, hello! My name is Luke, and I’m a junior at Amherst College. I hail from the other side of the continent, a small town called Pacific Grove on the central coast of California. At Amherst, I am a prospective English major with interests in theater, American history, and creative writing. Excited to have this opportunity to share my summer experience with any readers out there! On campus, (if I’m not giving a tour) you might find me reading a book in one of the Adirondack chairs on the Main Quad, slathering meals in hot sauce at Valentine Dining Hall, or watching a movie on a projector with a few of my friends. When the pandemic broke out, I actually made the difficult decision to take a gap year -- much like Prince, I am now “The Student Formerly Known as Class of ‘23.” A friend recently called me a super-sophomore, and I think that has a nice ring to it. Being away for a year helped crystallize what makes Amherst so special, and now I am especially jazzed to be back on campus! If you have any questions please feel free to email me at lherzog23@amherst.edu!
Name: Emily Kang '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: English, Korean
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Prospective Majors: Biochemistry & Biophysics, Five College Culture, Health, and Science Certificate
Activities on campus: Research student in a Developmental Biology lab, Amherst College Public Health Collaborative, and the Stream Magazine
Hobbies: Creative writing, taking naps, finding new music, sitting behind Johnson Chapel
Hello! My name is Emily Kang, and I am currently a junior majoring BCBP on the pre-med track. I first learned about Amherst through QuestBridge and I completely fell in love with the school when I visited through the fly-in program. Now I'm here as a QuestBridge Match Scholar, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Amherst opened lots of doors for new experiences and opportunities for me, and I'd love to talk to you about your interests and what Amherst can offer you! Feel free to reach out at ekang24@amherst.edu.
Name: Will Marshall '24 (he/him/his)
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Prospective Majors: Economics and Mathematics
Activities on campus: Baseball, Sports Business and Analytics Club, Amherst College Democrats
Hobbies: Playing cards, watching and playing sports, following politics, listening to podcasts
Hi! My name is Will Marshall from the City of Lakes, Minneapolis, MN. I chose Amherst because I wanted to break out of my comfort zone and see a new part of the US. As soon as I saw the view from the top of Memorial Hill, I knew that I was going to love it here. I'm so glad I found such an incredible community of amazing, smart, motivated, well-rounded and overall awesome people here at the college. I love being free to explore my interests with the support of friends and faculty (which can be obscure sometimes: ask me about the beauty of the interstate highway numbering system if you ever have 15 minutes to burn!) During fall, I can be found on campus admiring the leaves, in the winter you’ll find me telling people that it's not really that cold here, and in the spring you can find me soaking up the sun in an adirondack chair on the quad. Whatever the season, I love talking with people about Amherst so please reach out at wmarshall24@amherst.edu!
Name: Maxim Melnichuk '24 (he/him/his)
Major: Neuroscience
Activities on campus: Student Researcher and Lab Assistant, Jewish Life, TA and tutor, Liberty in North Korea, Ed Pros Fellowship, Beneski Museum, Charles Drew Health Professions Society, The Neural Network, First Generation/Low-Income Student Organization, Skateboarding Club, Outing and Rock Climbing Club, Global Education Office
Hobbies: Swimming, rock climbing, cooking, hiking, skateboarding, bartending
Hey everyone! My name is Maxim, and I’m a junior here at Amherst. In the past few years, I’ve been immersed in the enriching community and atmosphere of growth and curiosity that defines our college. From the kind and driven student body to the passionate and caring faculty, my time here has brought me to call this place home. I’m grateful for Amherst's flexible curriculum; I can be pre-med and study abroad while still receiving all the support I need to learn and succeed. Amherst is a generous place that helps students dare, dream, and discover. I love and greatly appreciate our college, so if you have any questions about Amherst or just want to reach out, feel free to email me at mmelnichuk24@amherst.edu!
Name: Jess Li '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: English, a little bit of Mandarin
Hometown: San Diego, California
Prospective Majors: Economics and Sociology
Activities on campus: Dance and Step at Amherst College, Intersections Dance Company, Asian Students Association, Chinese Students Association, Investment Club
Hobbies: Dancing (both actual dancing and jumping around with friends), long walks, eating and making food, starting TV shows and never finishing them, trying to charm animals
Hey, my name is Jess and I'm a junior at Amherst! Frankly, I never expected myself to come to Amherst, but I'm so glad that I've been able to find a home here throughout my short time as a student here. When I toured Amherst, I was awed by how close-knit and warm the community was (and still is). Being on-campus during the coronavirus pandemic really proved this to me; I was amazed to see the community come together to make sure campus is safe and everyone still gets an exhaustive college experience. Student groups and organizations have given me a lot of opportunities to meet new people and helped me feel like I have a place on campus. I'm really excited to see my growth during my next few years at Amherst. If there are any questions, if you'd just like to chat about Amherst, or you need advice on how applying or making a decision, feel free to email me at jhli24@amherst.edu!
Name: Gillian Richard '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: English, French
Hometown: Charleston, South Carolina
Prospective Majors: Economics and Mathematics
Activities on campus: Intersections, DASAC, Sailing Team, Research Assistant for Statistics Professor
Hobbies: Dancing, walking on the Rail Trail, fishing, bird watching
Hey y’all! My name is Gillian and I’m a junior from Charleston, South Carolina. I randomly toured Amherst while visiting my cousin at UMASS and fell in love with the beautiful campus and close-knit community, although the stairs still take the breath out of me. I have found a love and appreciation for the school through the students always willing to discuss their passions and professors always willing to lend a hand. Student dance groups like DASAC and Intersections have helped me continue performing and meet new people while also staying active. I also work at the childcare center on campus which helps connect me to the larger town of Amherst. You can often find me Val-sitting with a glass of guava juice or lounging at the dorms on the Hill. If you have any questions at all about Amherst, feel free to reach out!
Name: Angelica Sang '24 (she/her/hers)
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Prospective Majors: Statistics and Spanish
Activities on campus: Intersections Dance Company, Multicultural Student Union
Hobbies: Swimming, painting, and yoga
Hi! My name is Angelica Sang. I am a junior from Brooklyn, NY and a prospective Statistics and Spanish double major. I chose Amherst because I really enjoy the small, yet strong community that exists on our campus and the opportunities students have to connect and collaborate with professors. When I am not in class, I enjoy reading, going to the gym, participating in dance at Amherst, and catching up with my friends. I am still always trying new clubs and exploring different interests during the semester, so please feel free to reach out with any questions about the Amherst experience!
Name: Héloïse Schep '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: Dutch, English
Hometown: the Hague, the Netherlands
Prospective Majors: Political Science and Computer Science
Activities on campus: Pedagogical Partners Program, Choral Society, Roosevelt Institute, Law Review, Judiciary Committee
Hobbies: Singing, baking, knitting, hiking, and listening to podcasts
Hi y'all! My name is Héloïse Schep, I'm a prospective political and computer science double major and a junior at Amherst. As an international student from the Netherlands, I chose Amherst because of the amazing academic and personal support Amherst gives its international community. I'm so grateful for all the wonderful, passionate students and staff I've collaborated with here, whether we're using AI to analyze art collections, going on field trips to the Baltics with Choral Society, or simply enjoying a meal with friends or professors. From sunsets on the bike trail to study sessions in Frost Library I'm loving every part of the Amherst experience, and so excited you're interested in joining us, too! Please reach out to me at hschep24@amherst.edu with any questions you have.
Name: Gabriella Valdivieso Calderón '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Italian
Hometown: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Prospective Majors: Neuroscience and Anthropology
Activities on campus: Community Advisor, Neuroscience Research Assistant, Biology Teaching Assistant, Amherst College Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (ACMAPS), La Causa
Hobbies: Going to the beach, listening to music, doing exercise, spending time with friends, running away from the cold, Wordle!
Hi everyone! My name is Gabi and I am from the beautiful island of Puerto Rico! At Amherst, I am pursuing a double major in Neuroscience and Anthropology on the Pre-Med track. Having been accepted into Amherst during Covid took its toll because I didn’t have the opportunity to visit campus to see if it was really the place for me. Coming to Amherst was very much an “I feel it in my gut” kind of decision. Two years later and I still have no regrets. This vibrant community of hardworking and collaborative individuals has given me a space to explore my academic and extracurricular interests inside and out of the classroom. The small classes have allowed me to create close relationships with my professors and has played a key role in getting the most out of my undergraduate education. Being born and raised on a tropical island and going to school in western Mass was an adjustment, but the freedom of being able to study what truly interests me and surround myself by people that want to see me succeed has made the transition seamless. However, if I have learned one thing here it’s that the cold and I will never be friends (and I think I’m okay with that). Email me questions about Amherst, the skillful art of layering, or simply if you want a new friend to talk to at gvaldiviesocaldero24@amherst.edu!
Name: Ana Varona Ortiz '24 (she/her/hers)
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Prospective Majors: Neuroscience
Activities on campus: Research Assistant (Kim Lab), Concert Choir, Choral Society
Hobbies: building puzzles and legos, crocheting, binge watching tv shows
Hi all! My name is Ana and I am a junior from Mexico City, Mexico. I fell in love with Amherst when I visited as part of the DIVOH program. I saw how incredible the campus was, how caring the faculty were, and how friendly Amherst students were. 2 years in, and these things continue to ring true. I love research, so most of the time you will find me in the science center. However, if I’m not doing schoolwork, you might find me snagging some bubble tea downtown, building a puzzle, or laughing away my last working neuron with some friends.I’m really excited to share my Amherst experience with you, and hopefully I’ll see you around campus soon! Feel free to reach out with any questions you might have at avaronaortiz24@amherst.edu.
Tour Guides - Class of 2025
Name: Dalya Ackerman '23 (she/her/hers) 
Name: Malia Chun
Name: Maxim Melnichuk '24 (he/him/his) 
