Connect with one of our Senior Fellows!
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.
Claire '26 (she/her)
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: Sociology
Minor: Black Studies
Bio: Claire grew up in Michigan and Belgium, but calls Seattle home after moving there in middle school. At Oxy, Claire enjoys being on the rugby team, dropping in on ultimate Frisbee practices, and giving campus tours through the Office of Admission. One of her most significant experiences at Oxy was studying abroad in Ghana during the fall semester of her junior year. When she has free time, Claire is often listening to music, going on walks, or thrifting!
Dylan '26 (he/him)
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Major: Urban & Environmental Policy
Minor: Politics
Bio: Dylan plans to continue his education and obtain a law degree with the hopes of becoming an environmental lawyer. He recently interned with the Stand Together Against Neighborhood Oil Drilling coalition, working as a policy intern as well as conducting field research at Los Angeles oil drilling sites. At Oxy, he is a year round manager, player, and referee of the intramural basketball league, which he has been a part of since his freshman year. When Dylan is not studying or working, he enjoys listening to music, going to the beach, and trying new food in Los Angeles!
Meiko '26 (she/her)
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Major: Cognitive Science
Minors: Linguistics, Computer Science
Bio: A west coast gal, Meiko has been involved in many different areas on campus and has worked in the student government (ASOC) as a class senator, at the Green Bean as a barista, and participates in many clubs. She’s on the women’s ultimate Frisbee team (WAC), a dancer in Dance Production (for all 4 years!), and is an avid reader in Oxy’s Book Club. Her favorite books are Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and Babel by R.F. Kuang. During her time at Oxy, Meiko studied abroad in Vienna, Austria which is one of her favorite experiences in her lifetime so far. Meiko likes to describe herself as very artistic and she dabbles in a bit of everything. She has played violin for 9 years and has been singing since she was very little. During the pandemic, she took it upon herself to learn how to sew and has now made a few items for her and her friends that she is very proud of, and even alters her clothing herself. In her free time Meiko loves to spend time outside, read, sing, bake, and run around just having a good time!
Eliza '26 (she/her)
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Major: Sociology
Minor: Spanish Studies
Bio: Eliza was born in England, but grew up in the Bay Area and Seattle. Her current involvements at Oxy include being a member of the Track & Field team, where she primarily runs the 400 meters, and she also serves as a Residential Advisor (RA) in a first-year dorm. She is also in the Comparte club, which hosts English-language workshops for the staff on campus, and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which hosts events such as the Student Athlete Formal. Eliza also studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, during her time at Oxy, where she had an internship working as a teaching assistant at a language school and had a great time exploring the historical, cultural, and fun cities Spain has to offer! She plans to go back to Spain for a year after graduating to continue teaching. When not on the track or studying, Eliza loves to listen to music, go for hikes, read, bake, and is always up for trying new things!
Jean '26 (she/her)
Hometown: Irvine, CA
Major: Sociology
Minor: Politics
Bio: Jean has loved exploring different majors and minors, taking classes in 16 different Oxy departments! Her current involvements at Oxy include college chorus, WAC ultimate frisbee, Involvement Program Coordinator at the SLICE office, a third- year orientation leader, and a KOXY radio show host. In the past, Jean has done humanities research funded by the Andrew W. Mellon foundation with the Undergraduate Research Center (URC) at Oxy. She has had internships with Nickelodeon as a digital and cultural consumer insights intern, as well as with the Admission office through their summer fellows program. Jean has had leadership positions in Oxy’s student government ASOC as sophomore class senator and on the Student Bill of Rights Committee, as well as in multiple student advisory committees. She has also worked as a tour guide and in the dining hall as a communications and marketing intern. Jean has recently returned to campus for her final year as the second semester of her Junior year was spent abroad in New Zealand! She participated in classes, learning traditional Māori song and dance, and was class representative for one of her sociology courses. In her free time, Jean enjoys film and digital photography, posting on her blog and vlog channel, going to the beach, and baking!
Grace '26 (she/her)
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Major: Politics
Minor: Urban & Environmental Policy
Bio: At Oxy, Grace is a member of the women’s cross country and track and field team, serving as a year-round student-athlete. Grace is Co-President of Planned Parenthood Club, where she helps lead advocacy and campus engagement, and she is an active member of Occidental’s Alpha Lambda Phi Alpha Sorority where she has served as Social Chair and Philanthropy Chair. Aspiring to pursue a law degree, Grace has interned with Los Angeles Public Counsel and the Milwaukee Justice Center, where she deepened her passion for law, public service, and social justice. In her free time, Grace enjoys exploring Los Angeles, taking trips to the beach, and trying new coffee shops.
Ainsley '26 (she/her)
Hometown: South Dakota
Major: Cognitive Science
Minors: Philosophy, Public Health
Bio: Ainsley is on the pre-med track, so she has dabbled in biology, chemistry, and physics. Outside of the classroom, Ainsley can be found in many different clubs and activities. She is one of the captains of the women’s basketball team, the co-President of Dance production, an orientation team leader, and a choreographer for the theater department. She has also worked as a TA in the Cognitive Science department, a Resident Advisor in the dorms, and as a tour guide. Ainsley also spends her time conducting research with Dr. Susan Geffen in the Psychology department. Her research centers around the development of auditory and visual pathways and connections in 4 to 6 year olds. Off campus, Ainsley volunteers in the pediatric department at Huntington Hospital, and has spent her summers working at an assisted living facility and interning with the South Dakota Department of Health. In her free time Ainsley enjoys trying new coffee shops, playing tennis with her friends, and belting along to Broadway showtunes.
Lucy '26 (she/her)
Hometown: Bay Area, CA
Major: Kinesiology
Minor: Public Health
Bio: Lucy was born and raised in the Bay Area, but has been enjoying the sun in LA since transferring to Occidental in 2024. Although a STEM girl at heart, her favorite classes have explored music - specifically her “Music and Social Protest” class. Most of her time is spent at De Mandel Aquatics Center, either soaking up the sun or at practice with the Women's Water Polo team. As co-captain of Oxy WWP, she continues her passion for advocating for mental health awareness in athletics, participating on the E-board of The Hidden Opponent (THO). After a lovely spring season of water polo, she had the opportunity to take classes and intern abroad in Dublin, Ireland! She continues to engage her local community with a local internship in the Fall 2025 semester through Oxy’s public health program. Outside of athletics and academics, Lucy enjoys reading, yoga, and cooking. She plans to stay in California after graduation and pursue higher education in Public Health