With a desire to live and work abroad, Claire Rowan ’22 gave her teaching credentials a competitive edge, thanks to training at Berry.
The combination of academics and practical training in Berry’s nursing program paired with a four-year service scholarship prepared this nurse to deliver care with compassion and empathy.
Trejohn Skinner ’23 found a way to bridge his love of performing with knowledge acquired on the business side of the industry — and tailored his music major to his interests and career goals.
Majoring in economics and Spanish plus minoring in mathematics and physics, this business student embraced activities at Berry with energy and determination — including her position as technical director of Berry Outdoor Leadership Development (BOLD).
Carly Robinson ’23 came to Berry specifically for the applied behavior analysis (ABA) minor housed in the psychology department. ABA classes and relevant internships prepared her for graduate studies at Augusta University.
Alex Ruble ’23, a communication major and business minor, shares how he started a successful photography and videography business during his time at Berry.
Amy Solana ’23 plans a career in recreational therapy. To achieve her goal, she personalized her major with a combination of work, academic and research experiences — and even won the admiration of some honorary grandparents along the way.
Future veterinarian Brooke Appelbaum ’23 accumulated meaningful hours caring for animals, from the cattle and sheep on Berry’s campus farm to beloved pets at a specialty veterinary clinic. She also conducted research that could lead to new ways of protecting livestock from disease. Accepted to four veterinary schools, she chose the University of Georgia.
Entering college undecided about your major can open you to new possibilities and career options, as Kate Gray ’23 learned at Berry. Taking Spanish enriched her life and set her on a path to use her language skills in service to others.
Studies in the humanities positioned Vanessa Rice ’23 to receive a coveted Fulbright Scholarship as well as two Critical Language Scholarships from the U.S. Department of State.
As an executive vice president at Edelman, Kristen Stone ’00 attributes much of her career preparation to Berry. She is excited to be back, teaching a Berry course on social media strategy and giving her students similar real-world experiences.
Amber Bingham ’23 knew that Berry was the place for her when she learned about the robust education program. As early as freshman year, she worked in the South Rome Early Learning Center where she discovered her love of teaching the youngest ages.
Inspired by a beloved animal companion, Handley Owens started her healthy dog treat business, Southern Belle Naturals, and grew it into a line of products. Her determination and ability to tell her story with wit and warmth powered her early success.
Weaver Ellard ’17 used his experience working full-time as a Berry student to launch his career in digital marketing. His marketing expertise is integral to running two companies.
Aleeya Thornton ’23 is a determined pre-med student who gained unique perspective while helping run Berry’s health center. As she reflects on the most valuable parts of her college career, she expresses gratitude for how she was challenged in her campus job and supported by her mentor and the alumni network.
Sydney Nelson ’22 works in a prestigious biochemistry lab and has her sights set on a career characterizing the molecular origins of disease subtypes. But she says she wouldn’t have gotten there without a Berry mentor who invited her to train in his research lab during her first semester.
Building on formative Berry experiences, Monica Phelps-Pineda ’13 is completing her doctorate in education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She received the National Board of Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship in 2022.
Bertha Nibigira ’18 used an undergraduate internship to launch her path into youth empowerment and peacebuilding. She received a graduate degree in international development from American University.
Jazzy Innis ’24 is having a banner junior year — studying abroad in Galway, Ireland, working with the Center for Personal and Professional Development at Berry and attending the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio.
A smart combination of academics and an innovative approach to learning prepared this student for real-world practice.
Thanks to a multidisciplinary track, internships and student work through the Berry Information Technology Students (BITS) program, senior Kalista Shields is ready for life after Berry.
Attorney Toqeer Chouhan (01) has packed a lot into his career — founding a boutique law firm, serving as a county magistrate judge in the Atlanta area and leading in his community. He explains how small classes and insightful mentors influenced his professional choices.
For Alex Rakestraw (18), working as a general manager for Berry College Student Enterprises was foundational in cultivating the transferable skills that landed him a job at Delta Air Lines.
Dillon Yost, with joint direction from his chemistry and math professors, discovered a field of research he never knew existed. Now he works at the prestigious Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Richards Science Scholar Savannah Cecchini is growing a native milkweed species from seed in the biology department’s teaching greenhouse and studying seed viability and germination rates, with the goal of efficiently rehabilitating the plant on Berry’s campus and in nearby areas.
Leroy Hite ’08, a luxury firewood business owner and entrepreneur, started at Berry College with grit and a strong work ethic but left with an entrepreneurial idea that led to a premium firewood business.
With the support of Berry’s entrepreneurship program, Cecilia Kolbash ’25 built a nonprofit — Cecilia’s Community Closet — which combines her love of fashion with her desire to serve the community.
Listed in Adweek’s top 100 most innovative and inspiring individuals of 2022, Louie Spivak ’16 is catching a lot of attention in the advertising world. Thinking back on his growth, he is indebted to his professors and the Berry network.
During college, there are numerous opportunities available to students. How do students choose? Reese Chatman ’25, a current communication major and a Gate Scholar, shares his internship experience and how he made it all work.
Once upon a time, Emily Treon ’22 wanted to be a vet. However, after hands-on experiences and courses in animal nutrition, she discovered there was more to animal science than she ever imagined.
When asked why she wants a doctorate, Christy Waters ’16 has a clear answer. She believes in the power of mentoring relationships in college, which has influenced her desire to teach.
Luke Steel ’21 is putting his creative technologies experiences to work in his position as the makerspace specialist at the Georgia Cyber Center. He attributes his success to his campus job, his undergraduate mentor and the tight-knit Berry community.
Vanessa Belanger ’22, who majored in political science and religion, found a community and home playing with the Berry Women’s Soccer team. She also discovered her passion to make the world a better place in the nonprofit sector.
Now a technology strategy consultant at Deloitte Consulting, Togoryamba (Togor) Nunghe ’16 took full advantage of Berry connections to advance her career. For students looking to chart a similar path, Togor emphasizes the power of the Berry alumni network.
Graduate student Jake Weitkamp ’22 came to Berry to play football and earn an excellent education — but along the way, he grew leadership skills and a commitment to serving students.
Well equipped with his computer science degree and critical thinking skills, alumnus Cal Supik ’14 finds himself at the forefront of the software industry and in a career that he enjoys each day.
Spending the summer conducting research with a team in the Democratic Republic of Congo, alumnus Daniel Hanberry ’21 tapped into Berry experiences while investigating Ebola diagnosis methods and assessing social media activity to ascertain public opinion of COVID-19.