For a group of recent graduates, the transition from college to the workforce means moving from the ranks of Dartmouth undergraduates to Dartmouth staff members.
Eight alumni began work last month as Presidential Fellows for the 2013-2014 academic year. The Presidential Fellows Program, run by the Office of the President, was launched in 2009 and provides graduates with the opportunity to play key roles in Dartmouth’s administration.
This year’s fellows will work for the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, Office of the Dean of the College, The Center for Health Care Delivery Science, the Finance and Administration division, the Wellness Office, and the Advancement division.
In addition, fellows participate in a series of seminars and workshops throughout the year to support their professional experience, encourage personal growth, and enhance career opportunities.
Meet the fellows, who have all started work on campus this summer:
“My Dartmouth experience was rooted in the relationships that I built with the wonderful students, faculty, and staff who make up the Dartmouth community,” says Holly Ceplikas ’13. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Holly Ceplikas ’13, Office of the President
Hometown: Lebanon, N.H.
Major: Spanish
The Next Step: “I’m most looking forward to immersing myself in another side of Dartmouth and contributing to the network of employees that makes this school what it meant to me. As a fellow, I hope to do a lot of learning this year from all of the accomplished people in the Office of the President.”
On Dartmouth: “My Dartmouth experience was rooted in the relationships that I built with the wonderful students, faculty, and staff who make up the Dartmouth community. From office hours to exploration with professors abroad to getting meals in the dining halls with friends, I came to see why so many people love Dartmouth. Over the next year, I hope I can begin to give back to this school and strengthen the supportive community that I found.”
Emily Fletcher ’13, who double majored in neuroscience and anthropology, is working at The Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Emily Fletcher ’13, The Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
Major: Neuroscience and anthropology
On Dartmouth: “My time at Dartmouth was defined by the diversity of experiences I had, and the fantastic people I met and bonded with along the way. It was a hectic, wonderful hodgepodge of thought-provoking classes, extracurricular activities, travel, community service, and exploring the Upper Valley, all of which led to my personal development and growth.”
Looking Ahead: “I am thrilled to be working with leading experts at The Dartmouth Center for Health Care Delivery Science to address some of the world’s most pressing health issues. I’m excited to help build and maintain partnerships that will identify and implement best practices in health care delivery in countries around the world.”
Jeremy Guardiola ’12, who majored in economics, is working in the Office of the Dean of the College. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Jeremy Guardiola ’12, Office of the Dean of the College
Hometown: Texas City, Texas
Major: Economics
Community Matters: “When the time came for me to begin thinking about graduate school and my general plans for life after Dartmouth, I asked myself what type of work it was that I enjoyed the most during my time in Hanover. I realized that my most enriching experiences and the ones from which I derived the greatest sense of purpose were those in which I was addressing issues that mattered to my community.
Up Next: “I plan to attain a master’s in public policy after my fellowship. Most of my research and studies as a student focused on education, but I have broader social and economic interests. I ultimately see myself in state-level government.”
“I’ve really enjoyed my four years here as a Dartmouth student, so working as a Presidential Fellow will allow me to also enjoy Dartmouth as an employee,” says Jennifer Jaco ’13. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Jennifer Jaco ’13, Finance and Administration division
Hometown: Metropolis, Ill.
Major: Psychology
A Fifth Year: “I’ve really enjoyed my four years here as a Dartmouth student, so working as a Presidential Fellow will allow me to also enjoy Dartmouth as an employee. At the same time I’ll still be a student—learning from my colleagues how to utilize skills of leadership and teamwork in this new, yet familiar, setting.”
After Dartmouth: “I am interested in both health care and finance; I plan to obtain an MBA and become a hospital administrator.”
After spending a year working for the Wellness Office, Nirali Patel ’13 plans to attend medical school. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Nirali Patel ’13, Wellness Office
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
Major: Neuroscience
Health and Wellness: “I am excited to be working in a field that is near and dear to my heart—wellness,” says Patel. “I hope to gain some experience in the workforce as well as learn valuable lessons about the challenges and joys of working with individuals to promote wellness in a community.”
Post-Dartmouth: “After Dartmouth, I plan to attend medical school, after which I hope to work with a grassroots organization to help bring health care to under-resourced populations.”
“I hope to gain an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that helps Dartmouth run and bring the perspective of a recent graduate to the work that I’ll do,” says Amelia Raether ’13. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Amelia Raether ’13, Office of the Provost
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
Major: Government
As an Undergraduate: “My time as a student at Dartmouth was everything I could’ve asked for in an undergraduate experience. The D-Plan made it possible for me to take classes in a wide range of topics and have vastly different academic experiences from one term to the next. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Fez, Morocco, and intern for government agencies both in Washington, D.C., and Cyprus.”
As a Professional: “There are a lot of things I’m looking forward to as a fellow. First of all, I’m anticipating an interesting transition from being a student to seeing the work that goes on at Dartmouth from the perspective of an administrator. I hope to gain an appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that helps Dartmouth run and bring the perspective of a recent graduate to the work that I’ll do.”
“I hope to learn not only by doing, but also by observing, because I will be surrounded by a huge number of impressive and hardworking people,” says Edita Robinson ’13. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Edita Robinson ’13, Office of the President
Hometown: Stanford, Calif.
Major: History
A New Perspective: “I am looking forward to understanding what exactly goes on to run an institution like Dartmouth. As a student, I was oblivious to the work that the administration does for Dartmouth, and I’m excited to learn about it in great detail. I am also looking forward to observing the transition from one president to another and seeing what President Hanlon will do in his first year.
“I hope to learn not only by doing, but by observing, because I will be surrounded by a huge number of impressive and hardworking people.”
“The advancement division appealed to me in particular because I have an interest in development and promoting Dartmouth beyond Hanover,” says Jay Webster ’13. (Photo by: Eli Burakian ’00)
Jay Webster ’13, Advancement division
Hometown: Wilton, Conn.
Major: History and French
Advancing Dartmouth: “I’m hoping to gain a newfound appreciation and understanding of the behind-the-scenes workings of the College, which you don’t really get as an undergraduate. The Advancement division appealed to me in particular because I have an interest in development and promoting Dartmouth beyond Hanover.”
In the Future: “After my fellowship, I’m hoping to move to New York to work in management consulting, and I’d like to one day segue into the media industry,” says Webster.
