Ask an Oxy Student

The college search process is not just about choosing a place to study. It’s also about choosing a community to join. Occidental prides itself on its dynamic, engaged, and passionate student body, and we’re excited to connect you with some of them.

Each of the students below has volunteered to candidly answer any questions you might have about life at Oxy.

Andrew ’27 (he/him)

Hometown: Claremont, Calif.
Major: Religious Studies
Minor: Classics

Born and raised in Chicago, Ill., and Carlisle, Penn., Andrew moved to Claremont before high school. Andrew is president of Fantastiprov, Occidental’s improv comedy team, and founder and president of Oxymorons, a stand-up comedy collective. He performs stand-up, sketch, and improv throughout Los Angeles and beyond. He is also a member of Detox Men’s Ultimate Frisbee and participates in religious life on campus through Progressive Christians Uniting. Most recently, he worked as a marketing intern at Red Hen Press through InternLA. He has also studied abroad in Rome.

Angeline ’27 (she/her)

Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Major: Biochemistry

Having lived in six countries before college, Angeline came to Occidental from Copenhagen, Denmark. She spent her first summer doing organic chemistry research in Dr. Navarro’s lab through the Research Early Access Program and later developed an interest in finance, joining the Blyth Fund, Oxy’s student-run investment club. She has interned with tech startups and investment banks in New York and Stockholm and received a Young Fellow Grant to support an international internship. In spring 2026, Angeline studied abroad at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England, where she immersed herself in the city’s music and arts scene. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, live music and fashion.

Madeleine ’27 (she/her)

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Major: Urban & Environmental Policy
Minors: Critical Theory & Social Justice; French

Madeleine has pursued her interests in policy and social justice through the Justice Summer Internship, working with Inclusive Action for the City on policy advocacy for low-income communities. On campus, she has advocated for better working conditions for staff through the Occidental Labor Alliance and participated in other student organizing efforts. She has also been involved with Oxy Outdoors and the meditation club. While studying abroad in Montpellier, France, Madeleine explored Mediterranean food systems as well as French language, culture, and politics. In her free time, she enjoys going to the Occidental pool, live music, thrifting, and upcycling clothing.

Maya ’27 (she/her)

Hometown: Minneapolis, Minn.
Major: Economics
Minors: Public Health; Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies

Maya is president of Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha sorority and has held leadership roles with Planned Parenthood Club and Women of Economics (WOE). As an Involvement Program Coordinator in Occidental’s SLICE office, she helps plan large campus events. She has also conducted research in the Economics Department and, through UEPI’s Summer Public Health Internship Program, interned with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In her free time, Maya enjoys yoga, spending time with friends, and exploring Los Angeles.

Oyindamola ’27 (she/her)

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Majors: Psychology; Sociology; Pre-Law Advising Track

Oyin has built community across campus as a resident advisor for the Black Soul Collective, through leadership roles with Planned Parenthood Club and the Pan African Student Association, and as a lead planner of Occidental’s annual POC Formal. Academically, she has pursued research in psychology and sociology, exploring relationships, inequality, and social experiences. Her interests in law, advocacy, and social justice have also led to internship experience with the Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking. After Occidental, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career combining law, advocacy, and public service. She also enjoys working out, journaling, cooking, photography, traveling, and exploring Los Angeles, especially trying new coffee shops and restaurants.

Peter ’27 (he/him)

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Majors: Comparative Studies in Literature & Culture; Art History
Minors: Ancient Greek Language; Classical Studies

Peter’s academic interests include Ancient Greek language, Roman portraiture of the Hadrianic period, and 18th-, 19th-, and early 20th-century French and English painting. He studied abroad in Rome and received an ASP-URC Research Travel Grant to further his research in ancient Roman and Greek art and culture. At Occidental, he has written for The Occidental student newspaper, served as a teaching assistant, and held several roles in the Office of Admission. Through InternLA, he also worked as a curatorial intern at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery at Barnsdall Art Park in Los Feliz. Outside of class, Peter enjoys reading on the Quad, spending time at the pool with friends, and exploring Los Angeles.

Sophie ’27 (she/her)

Hometown: Santa Cruz, Calif.
Major: Psychology

Since transferring to Occidental in fall 2024, Sophie has built community through Dance Production and the Transfer Student Union. She has worked as a psychology research assistant and conducted an independent honors project. Through Occidental’s summer internship programs, Sophie has gained experience at a local nonprofit and as a philanthropy intern with the LA Phil. She enjoys connecting with prospective students and hearing about their college goals. Outside of class, Sophie likes to explore Los Angeles museums, try new coffee shops, and spend time with friends.