Meet Tour Guides in Humanities and Sciences Majors

Abby Costa, Ithaca College Chemistry and Art double major

Abby Costa
Hometown: Foxboro, Massachusetts
Majors: Chemistry, Art
Clubs: Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Club Equestrian, Ithaca Catholic Community, Club Tennis, Chemistry Club

Why I Chose Ithaca College
I was deciding between an art school and IC. I ultimately chose IC because there are so many more opportunities here. There are so many clubs to join. There is also a wide verity of majors if you want to switch, I ended up adding a chemistry major!
Advice
Join a lot of clubs. You might not like them all. Some of the clubs I tried out weren’t for me, but then you can just keep trying different ones until you find your group of people.

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at acosta2@ithaca.edu.

Jillian Wadland, Ithaca College English and Theatre Studies double major

Jillian Wadland
Hometown: Framingham, Massachusetts
Majors: English; Theatre Studies
Clubs: Theatre Department (Stage Manager and Assistant Director); Cauldron Theatre Company; IC Books Thru Bars; IC Outing Club

Why I Chose Ithaca College
IC's academic flexibility allowed me to study all of the things I wanted to study and still graduate in four years, as well as a direct pipeline into a teaching master's degree. In addition, the larger Ithaca community was a place I wanted to be, and I could see myself being a student here clearly.
Advice
Consider all the facts and statistics and numbers, but once all of the logistics are out of the way, trust your gut! You'll end up where you're supposed to be!

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at jwadland@ithaca.edu.

Maria Lesser, Ithaca College Environmental Studies and Psychology double major

Maria Lesser
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Majors: Environmental Studies; Psychology 
Clubs: - “Kweezy” Ultimate Frisbee Club, Ithaca Outing Club, Leadership Scholar Program, Student Psychology Association, Campus Band

Why I Chose Ithaca College
I was drawn to the small class size: I wanted to have the ability to not just be a number to my professors but a name and face. I also sought a region that had opportunities for outdoor recreation and involvement: I wanted to be able to hike, get out in nature, and be an active member of the community, and Ithaca has definitely provided that.
Advice
I would love to encourage involvement and to try new things. Being in a new area around new people can make trying something new seem overwhelming, but getting involved has honestly introduced me to so many amazing people and I have started new hobbies, many that I will take with me for life.

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at mlesser@ithaca.edu.

Reilly Shingler, Ithaca College Politics major

Reilly Shingler
Hometown: Northeastern Pennsylvania
Major: Politics
Minor: Education Studies
Clubs: Planned Parenthood: Generation Action (president); Office of New Student and Transition Programs (Orientation Leader, Mentor, and Coordinator)

Why I Chose Ithaca College
I visited IC on a whim in October of my senior year of high school, and as soon as I stepped foot on campus I knew this was the place I needed to be. Growing up in a rural, rather homogeneous setting made me realize at a young age that I wanted to go somewhere with a greater variety of people to meet and opportunities to get involved in. I knew that Ithaca College would offer me everything I wanted in that regard (and so many others), and I haven’t looked back since!
Advice
What matters more than anything else in terms of figuring out where you want to go to college is how you feel when you step foot on the campus. Being able to picture yourself at an institution for your college experience is absolutely crucial, and it’s something you can always tell. Come visit IC, and see what you feel when you get here!

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at rshingler@ithaca.edu.

Skyler Cepek, Ithaca College politics major and sociology minor

Skyler Cepek
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Politics
Minor: Sociology
Clubs: IC speech and debate team; IC Model United Nations team; ICs prism (queer social group); Theatre Macabre

Why I Chose Ithaca College
As a first-generation student getting accepted to IC with such a generous scholarship, I knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Conferences: HNMUN conference at Harvard University; Model UN in Brussels, Belgium
Advice
Get as involved as much as your school work will let you, and lean on your professors as much as possible. Go to office hours: Your professors will be so much more likely to help you if they know you as an individual.

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at scepek@ithaca.edu.

Allie Richter, Ithaca College Psychology major

Allie Richter
Hometown: Chester, New Jersey
Major: Psychology
Minor: Counseling, English
Clubs: Guiding Eyes for the Blind (puppy sitter); Buzzsaw magazine (writer); 
New Voices Literary Festival (student guide)

Why I Chose Ithaca College
I choose IC because of the community. I really felt like I had a place both on the IC campus and in the Ithaca community. There are so many people here who want to get to know you and support you and I felt that immediately when stepping on campus. 
Advice
My main two pieces of advice are: (1) Join a club! Find a club that really speaks to you and your interests. They are such an amazing way to make friends and meet people outside of the people you have classes with. (2) Don't be afraid to reach out to professors and make those connections. Professors want to get to know you and help you, and these connections you make now can really benefit you in the future! I know it’s scary, but it’s so beneficial!

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at arichter@ithaca.edu.

Claudie Ouk, Ithaca College Race, Power, and Resistance major

Claudie Ouk
Hometown: Norwood, New Jersey
Major: Race, Power, and Resistance 
Minors: Integrated Marketing Communications; Graphic Design
Clubs: Stillwater Magazine; Ithaca Achievement Program (iAP); Asian American Alliance; First Adventure

Why I Chose Ithaca College
I chose IC because other campuses didn't say a lot about resources for LGBTQ+ students. Hearing that information while I was here for a tour made me feel very seen and confident that I would be treated well. After staying here for a semester, I can confirm that IC is incredibly accepting of LGBTQ+ students :)
Advice
Applying to college can be extremely stressful. Remember that it's okay to be overwhelmed! You and your supporters will get through it. Believe in yourselves. If you want to talk about the greater Ithaca community or about what it's like to be a POC and LGBTQ+ student on campus, feel free to reach out! I would love to give you some insights :)

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at douk@ithaca.edu.

Taina Trinidad, Ithaca College Race, Power, and Resistance major

Taina Trinidad
Hometown: Queens, New York
Major: Race, Power, and Resistance
Minor: Linguistics
Clubs: BOLD Scholar, Ujima BSU

Why I Chose Ithaca College
I chose IC for the sense of community and outdoor environment that was the opposite of where I grew up.
Advice
Never be afraid to take up space. You deserve to be here.

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at ttrinidad@ithaca.edu.

Mikayla Tolliver, Ithaca College Writing major and Sociology and Counseling minor

Mikayla Tolliver
Hometown: Rochester, New York
Major: Writing
Minors: Counseling; Sociology
Clubs: BOLD Scholars, IC Strike, IC Mixed, Buzzsaw Magazine

Why I Chose Ithaca College
For the writing program
Advice
Consider multiple aspects of a college before deciding to come there: programs, class size, size of campus, and how accepting that campus community is.

Let’s Connect!

Email me anytime at mtolliver@ithaca.edu.