There are 486 members of the Class of 2026 and at least as many possibilities as they consider their futures.
Many will opt to join the working world right away, pursuing jobs in the industries they hope to shape. Others will continue their education by heading to graduate or professional school. And some will investigate the hard questions they became passionate about here on the Hill as part of fellowships and other research opportunities.
No matter what path they choose, each of these graduating seniors — who were celebrated Saturday, May 16, during Kenyon’s 198th Commencement — will be ready to draw on the skills they honed during their time in Gambier: the ability to ask hard questions, write clearly, speak persuasively and connect ideas from different fields.
Here are brief profiles of a few of this year’s graduating seniors.
Graduate Studies
Nora Archer ’26
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Major: Double major in international studies and German
Extracurriculars: Cheerleading (captain), Persimmons literary magazine (editor and website manager), teaching assistant for Introduction to German, Sunday school teacher at Harcourt Parish Episcopal Church and various other jobs
What’s Next: Masters in European Studies program at Georgetown University‘s School of Foreign Service
In Their Own Words: “This decision was difficult for me because I also got an offer from Fulbright Germany, and I had been looking at graduate studies programs in Germany and Austria, but my tuition is fully covered by a scholarship so I feel really lucky to have this opportunity. I am excited to learn from all the adjuncts among Georgetown‘s faculty who work in the fields of diplomacy, policy analysis, and development work. I also loved how every student can shape their own focus and area of interest even within European studies and how strong the Georgetown alumni network is.”
David Chintala ’26
Hometown: New Albany, Ohio
Major: Physics
Extracurriculars: Men's lacrosse
What’s Next: Master of Science of Medical Physics program at the University of Pennsylvania
In Their Own Words: “I am excited to learn more about radiation oncology as a whole and interesting new ways to treat cancer using radiation. I pursued this field so that I could combine my love for physics with the desire to help others.”
Peter Haywood ’26
Hometown: New York City
Major: Political science with a minor in history and concentration in public policy
Extracurriculars: Student Council (Business and Finance Committee), Club Squash, Hillel, Wiggin Street Elementary chess club volunteer, Hola tutoring, Mahjong Monday
What’s Next: Master of Science of Regional and Urban Planning Studies program at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
In Their Own Words: “I have always been interested in (urban planning) and would like to pursue a planning or planning-adjacent career. I hope to connect my political science education by researching how physical space and the land-use influence trust in political institutions. I can't wait to move to London where there are so many opportunities for first-hand learning, and it is an amazing city with so many fun things to do.”
Alexis Murdock ’26
Hometown: Flemington, New Jersey
Major: Neuroscience
Extracurriculars: Chemistry laboratory teaching assistant, CAMP 4 (neuroscience teaching assistant/residential advisor), Knox Community Hospital volunteer and job shadow, KC-MEDS
What's Next: Master’s program in biomedical sciences at Vanderbilt University
In Their Own Words: “I was drawn to Vanderbilt because the program allows me to strengthen my background in biomedical science, gain additional research experience, and learn in a collaborative medical environment connected to both the medical school and medical center. After discovering my passion for neuroscience at Kenyon, I’m excited to continue exploring the relationship between research and patient care while preparing for the next step in my medical education.”
Research and Fellowships
Isabel Braun ’26
Hometown: Pound Ridge, New York
Major: Double major in philosophy and environmental studies with a physics minor
Extracurriculars: Bluegrass Ensemble, Harp Ensemble, Chamber Singers, Take Five jazz a cappella, student bands, Hillel (manager)
What’s Next: Environmental education fellow at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Minnesota.
In Their Own Words: “Now more than ever I feel that the world could use more love! Being an environmental education fellow is nurturing exactly that: showing people what it is that is so worth protecting. On top of that, I’m someone who never wants to stop learning. I can’t wait for a year of learning, whether that be how to ice fish and snowshoe or guide an outdoor classroom.”
Nicholas Kloor ’26
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Major: Double major in music and Japanese
Extracurriculars: Fiber arts, Jazz Ensemble, pottery, various student bands
What’s Next: Critical Language Scholarship program in Japan over the summer, then a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant program in Indonesia
In Their Own Words: “After spending my junior year abroad at Waseda University, I knew that I wanted to continue my pursuit of advanced Japanese language skills. During my year in Japan, I spent a month in a small rural town teaching English at various schools, where I discovered a love for teaching. I have also always been curious about Indonesia, as the fourth-most-populous country in the world; its presence in America is relatively understated. Additionally, many of my musical inspirations have studied and drawn from Indonesian music in their music, and I aspire to learn Gamelan.”
Hung Nguyen ’26
Hometown: Born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; high school in Anaheim, California
Major: Political science
Extracurriculars: Center for the Study of American Democracy (senior associate), Writing Center (writing tutor), political science research assistant
What’s Next: First, the Academy for Civic Education and Democracy program offered by the Ronald Reagan Institute; then, joining the data analytics and research team at a California superior court with the Judicial Fellowship Program offered through the Center for California Studies.
In Their Own Words: “When I came to Kenyon, I was a mathematics and statistics major because I was, and remain, deeply interested in using quantitative methods to understand complex social problems. I am no longer a major, but I knew I wanted to find opportunities where I could marry both of my interests in statistics and political science. The Judicial Fellowship did that best, and the opportunity to work in a public service capacity in a courthouse was compelling, so I knew I had to pursue it once I was accepted. In the future, I hope to build an intellectually gratifying career at the intersection of law and quantitative methods, ideally in public service, academia, or a law firm.”
Dylan Sibbitt ’26
Hometown: San Francisco
Major: Political science with a Japanese minor
Extracurriculars: Student Council (senior class president), the Kenyon Collegian (opinions editor), men’s cross country and track
What's Next: Fulbright U.S. Student Research Award in Indonesia to examine how Indonesian youth are navigating the rise of artificial intelligence, social media, and digital finance, and what those changes mean for education, economic opportunity, and civic life in the world's third largest democracy.
In Their Own Words: “What excites me most about the Fulbright is the chance to study a set of questions that feel both urgent and deeply human. Around the world, young people are coming of age in a moment when technology is changing how they learn, work, socialize, and imagine their futures. Indonesia is an especially important place to study those changes because of its young population, democratic significance, and rapidly expanding digital economy. I pursued this project because I have become increasingly interested in how large political and technological shifts are experienced at the level of ordinary people’s lives. At Kenyon, my work often returned to questions about democracy, youth, technology, and inequality. The Fulbright gives me the chance to keep asking those questions in a new context, while also learning from Indonesian students, scholars, and communities directly.”
Isabella Strickland ’26
Hometown: Cary, North Carolina
Major: Psychology major with a neuroscience concentration
Extracurriculars: Multiple psychology labs, Writing Center (writing tutor and liaison)
What’s Next: Postgraduate associate position with a lab in the Yale University Department of Psychiatry helping to study the impacts of nicotine using fMRI and psychological assessment tools
In Their Own Words: “I began studying the impacts of nicotine a few summers ago through the OSU-5 SURE program, and was able to find out about this opportunity through my mentor there. Being able to participate in this lab was very exciting to me given its interdisciplinary approach using both neurobiological and behavioral intervention, which aligns with my own research interests and experiences.”
Read more about Isabella Strickland
The Working World
Mira Allen ’26
Hometown: Barrington, Rhode Island
Major: Biology with a concentration in neuroscience.
Extracurriculars: Equestrian team (captain) and multiple labs
What’s Next: Research assistant with the Mara Hyena Project studying spotted hyena behavioral ecology in the Maasai Mara, Kenya.
In Their Own Words: “I have always been incredibly interested in ecology and animal behavior. In the spring of 2026, I studied abroad in Tanzania and stayed over the summer doing an internship with KopeLion, a nongovernmental organization focused on lion research and community conservation. I absolutely loved the work and upon returning, immediately began looking for a position that would allow me to do research in East Africa. Hyenas have complex social hierarchies structured by matriarchal lineage and this makes them a great species for studying social behavior. I’m incredibly excited to spend the next year doing fieldwork, meeting new people, and living in such an amazing place.”
Jonathan Lee ’26
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Major: Mathematics and Statistics
Extracurriculars: Wind Ensemble, Pep Band
What’s Next: Market research analyst at Ipsos
In Their Own Words: “I pursued this opportunity because I had an incredible internship at Ipsos last summer, where I really connected with the people, company culture and work I was doing. I very much enjoyed getting to understand the underlying factors that influence people’s attitudes and opinions. I’m very excited to return to the company and continue to explore my passion for market research.”
Jenna Michel ’26
Hometown: Joppa, Maryland
Major: Political science with a Spanish minor.
Extracurriculars: Women’s soccer (captain), Office of Admissions (tour guide), Center for the Study of American Democracy (associate)
What’s Next: Growth development analyst at Veris Insights in Washington, D.C.
In Their Own Words: “I’m really excited to move into a new field and transition from political science into a firm that specializes in intelligence and analytics. It feels like an incredible opportunity to learn a lot while being surrounded by a supportive and collaborative culture, which was something I was really looking for after Kenyon. I want to explore the business world, but more than anything, I wanted to find a place where I could continue learning alongside kind and encouraging people.”
Nick Nelson ’26
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia.
Major: Applied mathematics with a concentration in computing
Extracurriculars: Men’s basketball (captain), community advisor (CA), Kenyon Tech & AI Club (president), introduction to programming tutor, campus ambassador connecting Kenyon students with opportunities at JPMorganChase
What’s Next: Data science analyst at JPMorgan Chase
In Their Own Words: “What excites me most about this opportunity is the chance to work on meaningful problems in an environment that brings together technology, collaboration and constant learning. I’ve always been drawn to understanding how people make decisions and how data can help tell clearer stories about the world around us. Through my experiences at Kenyon, I became interested not only in the technical side of data science, but also in the human side of communication, problem-solving, and working with others to create thoughtful solutions.”
Anna Tils ’26
Hometown: Newton, Massachusetts
Major: Mathematics and statistics with a dance minor
Extracurriculars: Office of Admissions, Epsilon Delta Mu, Sorority Council (president), Kenyon College Dance Team (executive board), Math Science and Skills Center (tutor), Association for Women in Math (co-president), Wiggins Street Elementary volunteer
What’s Next: Technical solutions engineer at Epic Healthcare Systems in Madison, Wisconsin
In Their Own Words: “I originally came to Kenyon with an interest in healthcare and an intention of becoming a physician. When I discovered Mathematics and Statistics, it opened up a new path where I could combine both analytical thinking and healthcare. This role at Epic feels like a natural culmination of everything I’ve learned and experienced at Kenyon. What ultimately guided my decision to apply and accept my role at Epic was the generosity of the Kenyon alumni network. There were several recent Kenyon graduates working there in Madison who took the time to speak to me about their experiences and advice.”