Class marshals play an important role at Commencement, leading their classmates to the Green and carrying batons in the procession.
The marshals are selected by their fellow students on the basis of good citizenship, enthusiasm, integrity, and positive impact on others. Dartmouth News asked the 2026 marshals to reflect on the experiences, traditions, and relationships that shaped their Dartmouth journeys.
Many of the marshals, who were photographed at their favorite places around campus, responded by talking about the ways they helped create a sense of belonging for themselves and others.
Student Marshals for 2026
JJ F. Dega II ’26
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Major: History modified with economics and institutions with a minor in public policy
Dega devoted his time at Dartmouth to the spaces where policy and people intersect. He served the campus community through such roles as senior class president, Dartmouth Student Government Senator, club tennis team captain, and Alpha Chi Alpha vice president. A 2024 delegate to the Democratic National Convention, he also brought his civic commitment to the Policy Research Shop and Hanlon Scholars Program, where his research influenced policymakers across New Hampshire, Vermont, and the federal judiciary. After graduation, Dega will complete a policy fellowship before attending law school.
How did you create a sense of belonging for yourself or others during your time at Dartmouth?
“Culture and belonging are often built in small moments. I’m proud of how the Seltzer Project—which aims to reduce high-risk behaviors and promote inclusivity by providing nonalcoholic options at Greek and campus events—has positively impacted Dartmouth’s culture. Joining early in the pilot, I helped to expand the program across multiple campus organizations and collected weekly usage data to demonstrate its impact. Now institutionalized under the Office of Health and Wellness, this student initiative demonstrates how small habits and cost-effective programs can meaningfully transform a community to preserve tradition while prioritizing safety.”
Erika Skye Huston ’26
Hometown: Hopewell Junction, N.Y.
Major: Biological sciences and art history
Dartmouth has always been about the people and community for Huston. She complemented her interests in biology with neurobiology research and service through Dartmouth EMS, while also discovering a passion for art history that led her to study abroad in Rome. As an Eichler ’57 Fellow, she combined these interests, strengthening her conviction to become a physician. Beyond academics, Huston played women’s club soccer, led and supported first-year trips, and wrote for the art history magazine Ephemera. She is most proud of her work as president of Chi Delta, where she grew as a leader and an advocate.
What experience most shaped your connection to the Dartmouth community?
“As a first-year student, it was surprising how excited upperclassmen were to welcome me into their clubs, classes, and Dartmouth itself. Being able to build friendships with older and younger classes has deeply connected me to the Dartmouth community. This past year, I have grown as a mentor, being able to pass along club traditions, research tips, and small wisdoms that I have accumulated over my time at Dartmouth. Giving younger students the same support I once received has been rewarding and allowed me to reflect on how much I have grown in these past four years.”
Alicia Cage ’26
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Major: Biochemistry with a minor in Latin, Latino, and Latin American and Caribbean studies
A first-generation college student and aspiring physician, Cage advanced health equity, expanded opportunity, and built community at Dartmouth. As the chartering president of Dartmouth’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and the National Society of Black Women in Medicine, she created spaces for leadership, mentorship, and belonging. Through health equity research, policy advocacy, and an international menstrual health initiative serving women in Jamaica, she has worked to address barriers to care locally and globally. She’s the inaugural recipient of the Dartmouth NEXT STEM Award and the GLASS Leadership and Integrity Award. After graduation, she will work for a hospital in Boston before attending medical school.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition?
“My favorite Dartmouth tradition is the winter snowball fight. Some of my fondest memories are of forming teams with friends and strangers alike and racing out into the snow in the middle of the night. Amid the chaos, you can hear laughter echoing across the Green as everyone embraces a moment of pure fun. The entire campus leaves stress behind to come together and simply enjoy the moment. Thanks to Dr. Seuss, it has become a tradition that truly captures the essence of Dartmouth’s strong sense of community.”
Avijit Singh ’26
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
Major: Anthropology modified with computer science
Throughout his time at Dartmouth, Singh worked to foster community, well-being, and belonging across campus. Through diverse leadership roles in SHANTI, the Mental Health Union, Camp Kesem, Alpha Chi Alpha, and club squash, he organized cultural celebrations, expanded peer support and wellness initiatives, mentored fellow students, and helped create spaces where others could feel welcomed and connected. Singh is especially grateful for the friendships and communities that shaped his Dartmouth experience that will linger for many years down the line. Following graduation, he will attend the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
How did you create a sense of belonging for yourself or others during your time at Dartmouth?
“Dartmouth is a beautiful place, and so are the people that come with it. By being curious about the people around me and diving into their worlds, connection flowed naturally and I began to realize why we both ended up at the College on the hill. That sense of curiosity and warmth was shown to me and I continued to pay it forward everyday as Dartmouth cultivates a culture of kindness.”
Grace Park ’26
Hometown: Falls Church, Va.
Major: Environmental studies with a minor in human-centered design
Having lived around the world, Park brings a global perspective to Dartmouth and is known for always approaching things with a smile. Her dedication to community building shone through her role as vice president of inclusivity for her sorority, Chi Delta, where she consistently fostered a welcoming environment. She is an avid photographer who loves taking in the beauty of the Upper Valley. Some of her favorite moments are spent walking around Occom Pond, capturing the natural beauty of the campus and the surrounding area through her lens.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition?
“Snowball fight. The chaos and wildness of the snowball fight is unforgettable. Dodging snowballs flying in every direction and chasing friends across the Green truly brings unmatched feelings of joy and exhilaration.”
Hannah Yen Maccarone ’26
Hometown: Eagan, Minn.
Major: Psychology
Maccarone has dedicated her time at Dartmouth to fostering connection and belonging across communities, classrooms, clinics, and fields. She led activities at the Dartmouth Organic Farm as both club co-chair and a Sustainability intern, conducted psychology research on dialogue across identity differences, represented the Big Green on the two-time national champion women’s rugby team, and strived to create more inclusive spaces as vice president of inclusivity for Kappa Kappa Gamma. Through first-year trips, volunteering at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and study abroad experiences in New Zealand and Vietnam, she learned from people whose perspectives challenged and expanded her own. Maccarone is grateful for the friendships and mentors that taught her the value of caring for others and prioritizing genuine connection. Following graduation, Maccarone plans to pursue medical school.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition?
“My favorite Dartmouth tradition is first-year trips. Trips represent the unserious side of Dartmouth, a tradition that welcomes first-years into Dartmouth’s unique culture and continues to serve upperclassmen as they return in leadership and mentorship roles. Through trips, students of all years find new avenues for belonging, deeper connections to Dartmouth, and a greater appreciation for our community. It is the gift that keeps on giving!”
Quentin Proud ’26
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
Major: History with a minor in computer science
As the 182nd publisher of The Dartmouth, Proud has helped expand access to print journalism on campus through his work with The Dartmouth’s endowment. He co-founded and received school recognition for DARTS, a Magnuson Center program designed to give students experience working with startups. Proud also participated in the History Honors Program, where he wrote his thesis on mid-20th century anti-poverty programs in Eastern Kentucky. He is grateful for the fantastic Dartmouth community and the various spaces he’s been a part of over the past four years.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition?
“My favorite tradition is the Harvest Dinner at Foco every fall. It’s always a fantastic opportunity to share quality time with friends while trying delicious foods prepared by local vendors.”
Camila Estefany Cazon-Guzman ’26
Hometown: Stafford, Va.
Major: Economics and Hispanic studies with a minor in Latin American, Latino, and Caribbean studies
Cazon-Guzman is a first-generation college student. She has dedicated her time to developing resources for noncitizen students and community members. She was a part of FUERZA Farmworkers’ Fund and the Coalition for Immigration Reform and Equality at Dartmouth, aka CoFIRED, helping lead several fundraisers for the Dartmouth community and beyond. She also served as the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact’s student director for a Texas-Mexico immersion trip, learning about the current state of immigration through a road trip meeting with community partners from El Paso to Brownsville, Texas. Cazon-Guzman also served as the undergraduate adviser for La Casa and as a FYSEP College Knowledge Fellow.
How did you create a sense of belonging for yourself or others during your time at Dartmouth?
“During my time at Dartmouth, I found community through La Casa. It is a space where I had the privilege of serving as a UGA and forming meaningful bonds with others through our shared love and practice of the Spanish language. Sunday dinners and cafecito provided a pause from the pace of Dartmouth life and created opportunities to connect with others, learn about their experiences, and build lasting relationships. As a UGA at La Casa for two years, I helped foster an inclusive space for advocacy and community. I saw firsthand what a commitment to social justice looks like in practice and how culture can unify many people of different races and backgrounds.”
Brandon Mitchell-Day ’26
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri.
Major: Sociology
Mitchell-Day was a member of the men’s basketball team and served as team captain for two years. He was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and served on the executive board of Dartmouth’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Outside of academics and athletics, he enjoys golfing and listening to a wide variety of music. He was born weighing only 2 pounds, a detail he enjoys sharing given that he now stands 6 feet, 8 inches tall.
What experience most shaped your connection to the Dartmouth community?
“My sophomore summer on campus. With fewer athletic commitments during that term, I had more opportunities to explore everything Dartmouth and the Upper Valley have to offer while building stronger relationships with my classmates in the Class of 2026. From swimming at local watering holes and hiking to canoeing, cabin nights, and stargazing, I embraced experiences that pushed me beyond my usual routine. Those adventures led to lasting friendships and helped me develop a deep appreciation for ‘The Woods’ and the unique culture of Dartmouth. That summer gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, try new things, and become more engaged in the community, ultimately shaping the rest of my Dartmouth experience.”
Amy Fulton, Guarini ’26
Hometown: San Marcos, Calif.
Degree: Master of Energy Transition
Fulton is among the first graduates of the inaugural Master of Energy Transition Program at Dartmouth. She pivoted into the energy sector after beginning her career in land-use planning, driven by a desire to meaningfully contribute to climate change mitigation and a more sustainable future. At Dartmouth, she engaged with the many disciplines that shape the energy transition, learning to evaluate complex energy challenges through social, economic, technological, financial, and legal lenses. She is excited to bring together her background in sustainability and planning with her energy expertise to support responsible renewable energy development and advance long-term energy and climate goals.
What experience most shaped your connection to the Dartmouth community?
“The career treks within my program connected academic concepts to real-life application, which is invaluable on its own, but even more importantly, we connected with alumni across the country in the energy sector. A really unique highlight of the San Francisco career trek was going crabbing with the Dartmouth Club of Greater San Francisco. We connected with local alumni and some newly admitted students, while learning about crabbing, enjoying the sunshine, and overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge. This made the community feel much larger than Hanover and reflects just how tight-knit and far-reaching the Dartmouth network truly is.”
Stephanie Podjed, Guarini ’26
Hometown: Destin, Fla.
Degree: PhD in physics and astronomy
A proud first-generation student, Podjed attended the University of Florida before coming to Dartmouth. Since her arrival, she has loved the tight-knit graduate student community she found in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the invaluable support from the Hickox research group members. Passionate for making others feel valued in a welcoming community, she has fostered connections at Dartmouth through her time spent serving on Guarini’s Graduate Student Council and Graduate Christian Fellowship and by volunteering at the Montshire Museum and Claremont Middle School. When not in the office, Podjed enjoys time spent with cats, friends, and good food.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition and why?
“Despite preferring a shorter winter season, I think my favorite Dartmouth tradition combines two cold-weather celebrations: the annual Christmas tree lighting in early December and Winter Carnival during the Winter term. As part of Hanover’s ‘Celebrate the Season’ festival, the tree lighting, hot cocoa, cookies, and caroling make what can be a tough season for this Floridian feel quite magical. Additionally, as someone who appreciates creativity, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the different Winter Carnival themes and posters over the years, as well as walking through the ice sculptures and Frost Lights. Both traditions help make the cold and snowy days sparkle just a bit more.”
Noemi Mesropian, Thayer ’26
Hometown: Glendale, Calif.
Degrees: BA in engineering sciences and a BE with a concentration in biomedical engineering
Mesropian brings passion to everything, whether serving as treasurer of the Society of Women Engineers, conducting her senior honors research on transoral robotic surgery in oropharyngeal cancer, or working on microelectrodes for dopamine sensing. She is the historian of the Ledyard Canoe Club, leads whitewater canoe trips, and directs races. Mesropian choreographs and performs Latin ballroom and hip-hop with the Hop, Sheba Dance Troupe, and Wild Things Dance Workshops. She is proud of her Armenian heritage and an advocate for genocide recognition. Mesropian will work in gene therapy at Insmed before pursuing a master’s in biomedical engineering at Thayer.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition and why?
“This past spring, I had the privilege of leading Ledyard Canoe Club’s annual Trip to the Sea—a 220-mile, week-long paddling expedition that seniors undertake during the latter half of their final spring term. I got to bond with fellow classmates, share laughs around a campfire each night, appreciate the beauty of the Connecticut River, and attend welcoming alumni receptions along the way. The sense of accomplishment the group shared after achieving something so physically strenuous was unmatched.”
Mitchell Beallor, Thayer ’26
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Degree: Master of Engineering Management
Beallor came to Dartmouth with a mechanical engineering degree from Queen’s University, drawn by the Master of Engineering Management Program’s excellence in pairing technical depth with the business acumen needed to tackle an ever-complexifying world. His industry experience and curiosity led him to serve as a teaching assistant in engineering simulation for mechanical design and technology assessment, while contributing to Dartmouth Formula Racing as both a general member and business lead, representing the school as a driver at Formula Hybrid. When not in the classroom or garage, Beallor could be found paddling the Connecticut River with the Ledyard Canoe Club or carving turns at the Dartmouth Skiway and beyond.
How did you create a sense of belonging for yourself or others during your time at Dartmouth?
“Coming to Dartmouth as an international student, I knew building a community would take intention. By immersing myself across the MEM program, my house, Hillel, Dartmouth Formula Racing, the club ski team, as a TA, and Tuck electives, I found that belonging wasn’t handed to me; it was built one connection at a time. Each circle brought different people and perspectives, and together they made Hanover feel like home.”
Emily J. Marciniak, Thayer ’26
Hometown: Antigo, Wis.
Degree: Master of Engineering
Marciniak came to Dartmouth to strengthen her knowledge of computer engineering, with a focus on artificial intelligence. As a member of the inaugural cohort of the online Master of Engineering in Computer Engineering Program, she embraced the opportunity to learn at an institution whose history is deeply intertwined with the birth of AI. Marciniak often compares growth to a CI/CD pipeline, continuous improvement through small, meaningful iterations. During her time at Dartmouth, that commitment to continuous learning contributed to her promotion to manager of data engineering and strategy at Disney. Marciniak is grateful to the faculty, mentors, and students throughout her Dartmouth journey.
What experience most shaped your connection to the Dartmouth community?
“One of the experiences that most shaped my connection to the Dartmouth community was representing Dartmouth at the Society of Women Engineers Conference in Chicago. As a student representative, I staffed a Dartmouth booth and spoke with prospective students about my academic journey, the support I found within the community, and my experience as a member of the inaugural online Master of Engineering cohort.
Standing on the other side of the table, sharing my story and answering questions from future students, gave me a new perspective on what Dartmouth means to me. I felt an immense sense of pride representing an institution that has challenged me intellectually, connected me with inspiring classmates and faculty, and helped me grow both personally and professionally. The experience reinforced that Dartmouth is more than a place where I earn a degree; it is a community I am proud to advocate for and contribute to.”
Simon Agnew ’22, Thayer ’26
Hometown: Charleston, W.Va.
Degree: PhD in engineering sciences
Agnew came to Dartmouth as an undergraduate and continued at Thayer for his PhD. Over the past 8 years, he has served as a teaching assistant, first-year trips leader, and a Thayer Council member. His research focuses on scalable and low-cost manufacturing of semiconductor and energy devices. His favorite aspect of Thayer is the close-knit and collaborative student community, to which he is grateful for lifelong friendships and new perspectives. Outside the lab, he could be found at the river or at Ramunto’s every Thursday night.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition and why?
“First-year trips was incredibly special to me as the first experience I had as a freshman—I immediately felt like I belonged, and Moosilauke has always remained a magical place. Being able to continue the tradition as an undergraduate leader and to bring some of that magic to the Thayer graduate student trip every fall is something I look forward to every year and will certainly miss.”
Matthew Sindelar ’18, Tuck ’26
Hometown: New Bremen, Ohio
Degree: Master of Business Administration
Sindelar came to Tuck seeking a close-knit community where he could grow as a leader, and he ultimately helped shape that community as class president. During his two years at Tuck, he created and led traditions including Night in the Woods, the Souper Bowl, Tuck Tuck Goose, Tiny Tuckys Halloween, the Holly Jolly Jam and Gratitude Drive, and a schoolwide Small Group Dinner. He also revived the Tuck yearbook, helping preserve the stories and memories of the Tuck ’26 class. Through these efforts, Sindelar created joyful, inclusive spaces that strengthened connection across the school and helped make Tuck feel like home.
Can you share a moment or lesson from your time at Tuck that will stay with you long after graduation?
“Night in the Woods, easily. We created it as a student board tradition: candlelight, the woods, no real agenda, just space for the community to be together—and somehow the entire school showed up. I remember standing there taking it all in and thinking, this is the magic people talk about when they describe Tuck. You create a space for people to connect, and everyone leans in, every time because this community genuinely cares about being together and showing up for each other. That night made me deeply grateful to be part of it, and I know I’ll carry that feeling with me long after graduation.”
Mollie White, MED ’26
Hometown: Dedham, Mass.
Degree: Master of Public Health
White is a registered nurse who earned her nursing degree from Georgetown University. After working through the pandemic and traveling across health systems as a travel nurse, she pursued a Master of Public Health at Dartmouth to deepen her focus on quality improvement and systems-level change. During her graduate training, she immersed herself in that work, built lasting connections, and served as chair of career development in student government.
What is your favorite Dartmouth tradition and why?
“My favorite thing about Dartmouth is all the nature it has to offer and the community to explore it with. Swimming at Wilsons, hiking Gile, and skiing the Skiway with friends are all memories I will never forget.”
