Leslie Quijada '24
Leslie Quijada '24 is majoring in psychology and economics. She hopes to have a career that lets her travel and meet new people.
A Union College special feature
A Union College magazine special feature
In its winter 2022 edition, the Union College magazine explored the power of being first. Students who are, or alumni who were, the first in their families to attend college shared their thoughts on the exciting and transformative, but often challenging, experience. On this page, you'll find their full Q&As, excerpts of which were used in the printed article. Learn about their careers, how they knew Union was right for them, and how they pay it forward. If you missed the piece in the magazine, check it out here and discover some of the great new programming Union offers to support first-generation students.
Rebecca Lippitt '19
Rebecca Lippitt '19 is a Ph.D. student in marine geology at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography.
Aaron Ray '10
Aaron Ray '10 is director of Opportunity Programs at Hamilton College.
Kamasha Hendrickson '00
Kamasha Hendrickson '00 is a senior meeting planner in Washington, D.C.
Todd Smick '91
Todd Smick '91 studied geology at Union. Currently, he works in Aetna’s voluntary benefits division and is the strategic partnerships national practice leader.
Ellen Smith '80
Ellen Smith '80 is a senior managing director at FTI Consulting.
Lewis D. Corvene '61
Lewis D. Corvene '61 worked for the State of New York, where he was director of planning for the State Insurance Fund, director of personnel and assistant director of administration.
Ashley German Soto '24
Ashley German Soto '24 a political science major with a minor in Spanish. She aspires to become a Supreme Court justice.
Michael Donadio '15
Michael Donadio '15 is associate general counsel with the United Soccer League.
Vincent Mattone '06
Vincent Mattone '06 is a certified financial planner/financial advisor.
Marie Cavuoto Petrizzo '96
Marie Cavuoto Petrizzo '96 is a physician (allergist/immunologist) and assistant dean for medical education at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.
Thomas G. Connolly '89
Thomas G. Connolly '89 is longtime partner in the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division.
W. Carl Mayer '67
W. Carl Mayer '67 spent 38 years as science teacher at Rhinebeck Central Schools (N.Y.), but originally came to the U.S. in 1958 as a baker.