Liberal Studies Alumni – Careers and Graduate School

Liberal Studies Alumni advance Seattle University’s tradition of excellence by applying their extensive humanities and sciences coursework in careers, community engagement, and professional training in graduate school.

Some examples of recent alumni:

• Alexis Clark, ‘13
  Pursuing Master in Social Work from USC Graduate School.
• Kyle Rapp, ‘13
  Fellow at Urban Prep Academies in Chicago (teacher, advocate, mentor)
• Stephanie Faddis, ‘12
  Pursuing M.A. Elementary Inclusive Education, Columbia University, Teachers College (dual-degree in Special Education and Literacy in Urban Schools).
• Sara Stockett, ‘12
  Marketing and Sales, Efelle Media (downtown Seattle).
• Kayce Callen, ‘12
  Pursuing Masters in Teaching, SU, certification for Elementary Teacher
• Bryan Dalton, ‘12
  Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor, State of Washington, Dept. of Social and Health Services.
• Djamba Okonda, ‘12
  Pursuing Nursing in the Accelerated Master's Program at University of Rochester, School of Nursing in NY.
• Rebecca Lowry, ‘12
  Expanded Learning Program Assistant, Bailey Gatzert Elementary, through AmeriCorps.
• Alexandre Dzwonkowski, ‘11
  Employed by Google Inc.
• Chase Clancy, '11 
  Development Coordinator, Humanities Washington (State level Non-Profit Organization) and Finance Committee Member, Vera Project (all ages music)
• James Morran, ‘11
  Pursuing Doctor of Pharmacy, Creighton University, Nebraska (see story below)
• Chris Holway, '11 
  Directs merchant accounts division of sparq.me, a Seattle tech company
• Joseph Clark, '11 
  Jesuit Volunteer Corp worker in Portland with Homeless (year one), and now in year two with Alaska AIDS Alliance
• Katherine Suter, '11 
  RN at Pediatric Associates (B.S. Nursing, B.A. Liberal Studies)
• Ursula Swantner, '11 
  Finish Craftsperson, Haven Boatworks (job via internship)
• Nathan Wheeler, ‘10
  Attended Masters in Teaching Program, Seattle University (M.A. Education); Now a 4th Grade Teacher at Lowell Elementary.
• Kaja Lundevall, ‘10
  Pursing M.S. in Nursing, Marquette University, Direct-Entry for non-nursing majors, specialty nursing-midwifery.
• Alexa Burwell, ‘10
  Teaching at Hamlin Robinson School, Seattle. Previously VISTA member, Carlson Leadership Center at UW.
• Emily Cohen, ‘10
  Program and Learning Coordinator, FaithTrust Institute, in Seattle. Previously at Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) and the Women's Ordination Conference, both in D.C.
• Rhiannon Cadelinia, ‘09
  3rd Grade Teacher, Daly City, CA.., after being accepted to and completing credentialing program, San Francisco State University
• William Statler, '09
  Employed by KING FM, Stevens Elementary, and performs and records music as Punishment 
• Rachel Adams, ‘09
  Manager, The Spanish Table in Pike Place. Completed M.A. in Anthropology of Food, University of London,
• Dabney Rohrbach, ‘09
  Manager for a major retail company in Seattle and Animal Unit Volunteer at Woodland Zoo.
• Sage Alderson-Gamble, ‘08
  Head English Teacher, in Bavaria, Germany; previously Acting Director of Montessori School in Queen Anne, Seattle.
• Michael Leigh, ‘07
  Deputy U.S. Marshal and recruiter for Marshals' Centralized Student Career Experience program
• Amanda Hoelzle, ‘07
  General Manager for Simply Seattle Co.; and Board of Directors, childrenofpeacefoundation.org
• George Byron, ‘06
  Graduate school, M.A. in Philosophy and M.A. in Theology at Boston College. Training as landscape architect for spaces that feature peace and community at University of Georgia graduate M.A. program  
• Sahnica Washington, ‘99
  Principal, Roxhill Elementary School, West Seattle. Also completed MIT program at SU.

One Major's Story - James Morran, Class of 2011

He came all the way from Nebraska and dropped out after two years. James Morran did not take the usual path to go on for a doctorate degree.

Morran, who grew up in Omaha, entered the College of Arts and Sciences as a history major in 1999. By 2002, he was working in Starbucks. Fast forward to 2010, and James Morran is back at the college earning his B.A. in Liberal Studies, married to Megan (School of Nursing, class of 2003), and focused on becoming a pharmacist.

He came back with a vengeance.

“I explored everything I thought I missed the first time,” he said recently, “and Liberal Studies helped me broaden my perspective. I learned not only about who I was but who I wanted to be in the future.”   

Morran credits Professor Sven Arvidson with developing his introspection and critical thinking.  Service learning projects and working in the community added to his awareness.

“Liberal Studies emphasizes the importance of developing good interpersonal skills and knowing about others,” he said. “I learned to communicate well with people from all walks of life. We also dealt with ethical issues. Those skills are very important in health care. I know I’m much better prepared for professional school than I would have been if I just did science.”

Morran, who graduated in 2011, is pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy at Creighton University.

Written by Laura Paskin