Erika Sprecher ’21, a marketing and management major with minors in animal science and entrepreneurship and innovation, is beginning her post-graduate career on a roll.
Being a Gate of Opportunity Scholar has given Nathania Cortes ’22 the discipline and experience she’ll apply as a high school English teacher.
After working in on-campus ministries and in the Chaplain’s Office at Berry, Zion Brown ’21 is thriving as a young adults resident at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, working to foster community for young people in the surrounding area.
After observing the life-enhancing effects of physical therapy, Estefany Carrillo chose to major in exercise science and landed a spot in a prestigious program.
In pursuit of a veterinary career, Devin Saunders ’22 is bolstering his academic record with research and service experiences at Berry.
Communication major Michael Cheeves landed a job as assistant editor of the musical film Spirited (2022)— featuring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell — because of Ruth Baker, the mentor who instilled musical knowledge and encouraged him to dream big.
Hunter Maddox ’17 moved up quickly in his E*Trade career, shaped by entrepreneurship, travel abroad and practical business experience at Berry.
Rachel LeRoy ’15 was one of the first Berry students to participate in HackBerry Lab, a campus-centered makerspace designed to test students’ creative limits. Also leveraging experiences as a student-athlete and supervisory skills gained through Berry Student Enterprises, she earned an M.S. in human computer interaction and now manages user experience research teams at Facebook.
Nick Fernandez ’21, an MBA student at American University, is focused on expanding Upsway Marketing LLC, which he founded after studying entrepreneurship and innovation at Berry.
Noah Howie ’21 came to Berry knowing he wanted to major in environmental sciences. His desire to protect and preserve wild spaces prepared him to work on prescribed burn teams at Berry and land an internship with The Nature Conservancy.
Psychology major Leslie Gutierrez ’22 says a variety of mentors provided a support system when she started college and have instilled the work ethic and transferable skills that will help her thrive when she pursues a graduate degree in clinical or forensic psychology.
Taylor Blaylock ’21 is the sixth Berry graduate to win the Fulbright grant to teach English abroad. In August, she will move to Taiwan where she will bring to bear all of her experiences in student teaching and her knowledge of supporting English language learners.
Seth Jolly, a junior majoring in chemistry, received the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship awarded to outstanding students in science, mathematics and engineering. Mentored by Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry Mark Turlington, Ph.D., he plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in the pharmaceutical industry.
Griffin Davis ’20 majored in economics and finance and took every opportunity to engage in experiences both on and off campus that would help him land a job right after of graduation.
Michael Clemmons ’06, a biochemistry major, and Elizabeth Callahan Clemmons ’08, an animal science major and veterinarian, met in band at Berry. Both say their academic training and hands-on experiences in the sciences prepared them for their current positions.
Environmental Studies major gains professional experience while working to reduce food insecurity at local homeless shelter.
A stint as a volunteer in sea turtle conservation motivated Emilie Davis ’21 to research hatching rates in Costa Rica — positioning her for a veterinary career in wildlife conservation.
James Hancock came to Berry because of the welcoming community and the opportunity to put his academic training into practice through the LifeWorks program. Having tested his business acumen in student-run businesses and various departments, he is ready to pursue his dream of attending graduate school and becoming a CPA.
Having received prestigious internships from organizations like the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and the Albert Einstein Institute, the Madeline Clyburn is well prepared to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics at Clemson University.
In a year of twists and turns, Camille Hanner ’20, a communication major, landed a position as a digital content specialist and rose within months to become a project manager. Pivotal internships gave her the confidence to succeed in the job market.
After a year at a state school, Anna Naguszewski ’21 changed her major to animal science and transferred to Berry — for the stellar pre-vet program and faculty mentoring that has prepared her for a career as a public health veterinarian.
Majoring in exercise science and helping lead research projects based at Berry have given Madelyn Smith ’22 the skillset and confidence to pursue a career as an exercise physiologist and work toward her dream of owning a karate studio.
A leadership position with Berry’s ESL program led Emily Mather ’21, a Spanish major, to switch career trajectories and follow her dream of working with people in diverse, often neglected communities.
Drawing from courses in environmental studies and digital storytelling, Bonner Scholar Ross Bryant leverages a creative approach to community service.
Evan Perry ’21 is prepared to engage non-native speakers of English in diverse pre-K—5 classrooms, thanks to minors in Spanish and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Hands-on teaching opportunities in local schools and in the community further prepared him for an exciting career in education.
Kenny Morgan ’20 auditioned for a music scholarship at Berry on a whim. He landed a spot in vocal performance and forged a lifelong relationship with the mentor who guided him to grad school in New York City.
Allie Williams ’21 will enroll in Middle Tennessee State University’s combined M.A. and Ed.S. program in school psychology this fall. With a psychology degree bolstered by a minor in applied behavior analysis, she is ready to advocate for at-risk, developmentally disabled, and intellectually disabled populations.
Heitor De Paula transitioned from PR student to social media professional without missing a beat—landing a job with a global company the month after graduation.
Elizabeth Barnett ’20 is fulfilling her desire to create inclusive and loving environments for individuals with disabilities through her position with SOAR Special Needs in Overland Park, Kan.
Thanks to a rigorous academic curriculum and hands-on training on and off campus, this nursing major hopes “to make some of the toughest moments in people’s lives a little brighter and a little better as their nurse.”
Leading a team of six fellow students, Sara Myers ’21 found a way to continue tutoring youth at a local children’s home during the pandemic.
Jacob Bushey ’19 is pursuing a career in graphic design and branding in Nashville, Tenn., thanks to work opportunities and mentoring at Berry.
As the curator for the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, history grad Anna Tucker builds on experiences she began at Berry over a decade ago.
James Ross ’15 is pursuing postdoctoral studies in cancer research at Emory University. Mentored by biology and biochemistry faculty at Berry, he worked as a student researcher, which led to success in one of the top immunology research labs in the world.
Abby Carnill ’18 studied early childhood education and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at Berry. Now she is living out her dream of teaching kindergarten abroad in Quito, Ecuador.
Paid professional development at Berry provides eight semesters of on-the-job learning while offering opportunities to develop leadership skills and explore careers.
As communication major Ben Lord anticipates success in his new corporate career, he reflects on Berry’s unique culture of mentorship.