2023 ILR Senior Spotlights
Sheryn Albayati
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
I am an incoming HR analyst at Citi's NYC office. I will be participating in their two-year rotational program where I will gain amazing HR experience across a variety of functions.
Who would you like to thank and why?
I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting me throughout my four years at Cornell. I would also like to thank the staff at ILR and the Office of Career Services for their support when it came to finding post-grad career opportunities.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
My favorite Cornell memory has to be the three years I spent working at my federal work-study position, the Center for Transformative Action. I adore the work the organization does for the community, and the staff is outstanding. I have learned from CTA what makes a wonderful workplace culture and I will never forget the impact CTA has had on my life.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
I will graduate with three minors: Business, Law & Society and Inequality Studies.
Maxim Andreev
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I am on the varsity hockey team.
Favorite ILR class?
Sport psychology
Favorite ILR professor?
Sam Nelson
Future plans?
I plan to play professional hockey for as long as possible. Not quite sure yet about what comes after.
Ayesha Aziz
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Post-grad I will be working full-time as a people experience associate at Google in Chicago. I am also traveling to Spain and Portugal in June, then camping the Boundary Waters in July.
Who would you like to thank and why?
I would like to thank Angelica Carrington who formerly worked at the ILR Office of Career Services. She taught me how to overcome my imposter syndrome at Cornell and how to utilize my skills. And thank you to my campus clubs that provided the absolute best supportive peer-network I could ask for. Without my mentors and friends from clubs, I would not be where I am.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
The school spirit during Homecoming Weekend is amazing and also Cornell Hockey games!
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Minoring in InfoSci (UX Design), Catherwood Library assistant, Bengali Student Association, Forte, Cornell Equity Research, First-Gen Student Union
Kyle Beck
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
After returning to Travelers Insurance in NYC to assist their tax law department, I'll be moving to Durham, North Carolina, to attend Duke University School of Law.
Who would you like to thank and why?
My parents and sister for always supporting me, my friends for standing by my side since freshman year, and ILR faculty like Sarosh Kuruvilla and Rick Hurd, who've gone out of their way to ensure I have opportunities to learn and succeed.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
I'm looking forward to watching Dead & Co at Barton Hall on May 8th.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Minors in Inequality Studies and Law & Society, being a teaching assistant for ILRLR4060: Labor Relations in the Hospitality Industry, and involvement in the Hunter R. Rawlings III Cornell Presidential Research Scholarship, which has funded a trip to conduct field research on international labor law in Europe as preparation to defend my senior honors thesis.
August Biben
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I’m a right-handed pitcher on the varsity baseball team and a member of the Big Red Leadership Institute (BRLI).
Favorite ILR class?
ILROB 3240: Understanding and Improving Decision Making
Favorite ILR professor?
Prof. Vanessa Bohns
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
I’ve made a ton of incredible friends and memories through ILR. One particular experience has been my senior honors research thesis, through which I’ve been researching the effects of name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation on college athletes.
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
Don’t be afraid to reach out! Whether to professors or your classmates, everyone at ILR is incredibly friendly and willing to help each other.
Future plans?
I’m planning on going to law school next year.
Duncan Cady
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
I’m excited to chase my passion and work in politics.
Who would you like to thank and why?
I’m so thankful for my toughest teacher and kindest adviser Christina, who always challenged me, listened and cared.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
Long walks around campus, afternoons on the slope, and good nights with good friends.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
I’m minoring in Law & Society, Government, Public Policy, and Inequality Studies
Mya DeJoseph
What activities are you involved in around campus?
The varsity women’s lacrosse team.
Favorite ILR class?
Business Strategy or Human Resource Analytics
Favorite ILR Professor?
JR Keller
Future Plans?
Working at ISS Corporate Solutions in New York City as an executive compensation and governance consultant after graduation.
Marcus Filien
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I am a member of the ILR Sports Business Society, in addition to being a captain of the men’s varsity basketball team. I was a Cornell Traditions Fellow for three of my years here and have also served through working summer camps on campus over the break.
Favorite ILR class?
I have a tie for my favorite ILR class, between Sport Psychology, taught by Associate Professor Emily Zitek, and Essential Desktop Applications, taught by Christina Homrighouse. Both are amazing, detail-oriented teachers who care about their students and love what they do!
Favorite ILR professor?
My favorite is Christina Homrighouse. I am currently taking her Essential Desktop Applications class, and although it is the only class I’ve taken with her, she is awesome. She’s very humorous, extremely knowledgeable and carefully answers students’ questions. In my short time in one of her classes, she has already left a memorable impact on my ILR experience.
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
The way(s) in which the ILR community was so caring, genuinely thoughtful and supportive as the pandemic struck and pushed us away from campus. ILR showed how tightly knit and compassionate a community it is, as our collective college experience changed and there was support available from all angles.
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
Meet as many people as possible! I’ve met some amazing people in my time at ILR and Cornell as a whole, and they have the potential to shape your experience here into something unforgettable. The community here at Cornell is unbelievably strong.
Future plans?
I plan to attend another school as a graduate student and pursue either a master of business administration or masters in sports management while continuing to be a student-athlete and use my extra year of athletic eligibility, resulting from the lost basketball season due to the pandemic.
Mariana Goldlust
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Travel to Vietnam, incoming business analyst at McKinsey.
Who would you like to thank and why?
Thankful for the immense support from my peers, friends, family and professors!
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
Spending Slope Day with my best friends!
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Minor in Law & Society, Hearsay A Cappella, Cornell Model UN, Impact Dance Troupe, Campus Mediation Program.
Ania McNicholas
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I am involved in the varsity women's basketball team and other leadership committees and clubs like the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and the Society of Polish Students on campus. I am also a barista at the new Atrium Cafe!
Favorite ILR class?
My favorite ILR classes have been both ILROB 3760 Sport Psychology and ILROB 3240 Understanding and Improving Decision Making.
Favorite ILR professor?
My favorite ILR professor has been Lee Adler.
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
The ILR experiences that will impact me for the rest of my life are the relationships that I have made throughout my four years and the skills and perspectives that I have learned and will take with me throughout my journey.
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
If I could give one piece of advice to the incoming freshmen in the Class of '27, it would be to build relationships with those around you and to stay present in the moment.
Future plans?
I will be getting my MBA next year while playing basketball.
Patrick J. Mehler
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Summer Fellowship with U.S. Department of Transportation through Future Leaders in Public Service program. Next Academic Year (2023-24), one-year MS in ILR.
Who would you like to thank and why?
All the professors that curated my interest in conflict resolution (Nobles, Avgar, Katz), all the staff that exposed me to great experiences in ILR (Donna Ramil, Anu Lyons), and the ILRie who's been by my side and made me the happiest Cornellian (Julia Risi '23).
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
On our first date, I took Julia Risi '23 to a private Cornell Chimes concert and handpicked the songs for the evening from the Phantom of the Opera. Needless to say, there's been hundreds of dates since, but we're always sure to have at least one Chimes date every semester.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Minors: Leadership, Inequality Studies, and Law & Society. Honors: Global Scholars & Senior Thesis. Involvements: Cornell Votes (president/co-founder), Ithaca Common Council (alderperson), Scheinman Institute (mediator, teaching assistant, research assistant, SCRC president).
Alexandra Michael
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I was the co-president of the Women's Leadership Initiative, President of the Hellenic Student Association, comic in Pun Intended Stand-Up Comedy Club, general member of the Bee Club @ Cornell and Salsa Pa'lante, and on the eboard of my pre-law frat, Phi Alpha Delta. I also work for the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution and engaged in psychology research with a Ph.D. candidate.
Favorite ILR class?
I really enjoyed Understanding and Improving Decision-Making (ILROB 3240) with Assistant Professor Fath! I took that in the spring of my junior year and have used a lot of what I've learned since.
Favorite ILR professor?
I've had a bunch of incredible ILR professors and really enjoyed Associate Professor LeClercq! Her background at the NLRB and ILO is very inspiring and has strengthened my interest in the area of labor and employment law.
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
Being a Peer Mentor is an experience that I'll remember for the rest of my life! Helping new ILRies acclimate to the university was a pleasure, and I can't wait to see how my mentees make their marks on campus going forward!
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
Plan ahead and take advantage of all the little opportunities that come your way! There is so much to get involved with at the ILR School and Cornell as a whole. Go to an SCRC meeting, attend Union Days and the Labor Roundtable, make plans to study abroad -- take advantage of all that ILR and Cornell have to offer and use that to find your passions!
Future plans?
I'm excited to continue my work in labor and employment law by working as a paralegal at Cary Kane LLP, a plaintiff-side employment law firm, post-graduation!
Alex Mocarski
What activities are you involved in around campus?
Some of the activities I’m involved with include the varsity track & field team, Student-Athlete-Advisory-Committee (SAAC), Society of Polish Students and Cornell's Angling Society.
Favorite ILR professor?
I’ve had several amazing professors, however one of my favorites is Professor Batt. I took her advance writing seminar, Globalization and Financialization, during my sophomore year. Ever since, she has been a close mentor and adviser for many of my extracurricular ILR activities; including a credit internship I participated in my junior year and research trip I completed over this past winter break. She is also well travelled and has some awesome hiking stories through the U.S., Italy, New Zealand and so many more.
Favorite ILR class?
ILRHR 4620 Staffing Organizations with Assistant Professor Ray was one of my favorites. The class explored the importance of talent management strategies in organizations. She would bring in guest speakers as well as adjust lesson plans to include current events, which made class all the more engaging and discussion-based.
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
In the moment, it may have been nerve-wracking getting cold-called to answer a question in Labor Law, presenting in front of a class of 70 students in Collective Bargaining in Sports or acting as management negotiating a deal with union representatives in Labor Relations; these were all character-building experiences that will have an impact on the rest of my life.
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
Get to Catherwood cookie day early because they run out quick… jk… sorta. On a serious note, get to know your professors! The ILR faculty have an amazing wealth of professional experience and knowledge. They also want you to succeed and develop passions for areas of interest during your undergrad. So, don’t be shy and swing by office hours and networking events (like Cookie Day!).
Personally, I internally transferred into ILR my sophomore year. The opportunities and support provided by the tight-knit ILR community convinced me to come here.
Future plans?
I’d like to work in the HR recruiting field eventually, particularly in the outdoors industry. Whether that is before or after getting a master’s degree… we’ll see. I’m currently waiting to hear back from a few schools I applied to.
Julia Risi
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
I am currently a first-year at Cornell Law School through the 3+3 Program. This summer, I will be a judicial intern at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Upon graduation from law school, I plan to pursue a career in labor and employment law and/or litigation in New York.
Who would you like to thank and why?
All of the amazing friends I met in ILR and the professors who always believed in me and my success.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
Private Chimes Concert in McGraw Tower with my boyfriend!
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Law & Society Minor. I was also an editor for the Undergraduate Disability Studies Journal, a writer for Undergraduate Law & Society Review, an ILR peer mentor, and a writer for The Women’s Network. This year, I am the vice oresident of the law school’s Women’s Law Coalition.
Malcolm Shure
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I am a five-year member of the varsity lightweight rowing team. This year, I have had the opportunity to serve as one of the team’s two captains.
Favorite ILR class?
Labor and Employment Law with Professor Gold and the History of Economic Thought and Institutions with Professor Boyer. These two classes have been formidable experiences in my education.
Favorite ILR professor?
Professors Gold, George Boyer and Lawrence Kahn (my thesis adviser).
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
Learning how to be a structured thinker in Professor Gold’s class. It was the most challenging class I have taken, but I learned a lot.
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
Don't rush through college. Take a huge variety of classes. Don't avoid the “hard” ones.
Future plans?
I plan to travel as much as possible until I begin work in the fall. After 10 years of competitive rowing, I look forward to a break and exploring new opportunities and interests.
Jackson Stone
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I’m a senior on the men’s heavyweight rowing team here. I also served as the chair of diversity, equity and Inclusion for two years with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Last summer, I started my own pottery company, Stone Meets Clay Pottery (LMK if you need a mug), and give lessons, sell my pieces, and run a TikTok account @stonemeetsclay. Outside of all that, I started taking both singing and saxophone lessons this past fall.
Favorite ILR class?
The Art of Negotiation in Business and Sport
Understanding and Improving Decision Making
Intro to Organizational Behavior
Writing Persuasively about the Science of Persuasion
Labor and Employment Law
Advancing Racial Equity in Organizations
Sport Psychology
Favorite ILR professor?
My man Sean Fath. Michael Huyghue is bomb.com, too, though.
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
I absolutely bombed the first paper in Labor and Employment Law. I think my failure was shared by a good chunk of the class because Associate Professor LeClercq told us a story about a past student who got torn apart by the first paper despite loving the content and being really proud of what he turned in. She told us that this student started to consistently meet with her and the TA and ended up getting the highest grade in the class by the end of the semester. I started meeting with the TA more frequently and lo and behold the next paper went worlds better. I started gaining some traction in the class and felt really proud of my turnaround by the end of the semester. A few weeks into the next semester, I received an email from Professor LeClercq that, not so surprisingly, the class had bombed the first paper and was mentally in shambles. She asked if I would be willing to come speak to the class about my experience because apparently, after bombing the first paper, I had pulled out the highest grade in the class! I was both stunned and wildly proud to have proved that I was able to achieve such success when I fully apply myself.
What piece of advice would you give to the Class of 2027?
Be brutally honest with yourself when deciding if the people in your life are turning you into the person you're most proud of.
Future plans?
I will be starting work at a consulting firm in New York City in January specializing in leadership development and organizational effectiveness. After graduation I'll be shooting off to Thailand to study pottery, scuba dive and skydive all over Southeast Asia. I don't have a fully set plan, but I'm really excited to let the locals guide my journey!
Rebekah Ten Hagen
What activities are you involved in around campus?
I am the president of the Cornell Panhellenic Council, which is my primary involvement on campus, but I am also on the Cornell club golf team and an active member in my sorority chapter, Alpha Xi Delta.
Favorite ILR class?
My favorite ILR class was Sport Psychology with Associate Professor Zitek.
Favorite ILR professor?
My favorite ILR professor is Associate Professor Thomas DiCiccio.
What ILR experience will impact you for the rest of your life?
I made some of my closest friends of college in my first week or so through ILR. Not only have I learned so much from my peers and know that these relationships will last long after we graduate.
What piece of advice would you give the Class of 2027?
I would recommend looking into potential minors early on. One of the best parts of the ILR curriculum is how flexible it is. Because of this, it is totally possible to explore your interests and really specialize one, twoor even three minors. I will be graduating with minors in economics, information science and business, all of which complement what I have learned in ILR to truly customize my academic interests.
Future plans?
I will be moving to New York City in the fall to work for Cornerstone Research doing economic consulting and research. Eventually, I hope to go to graduate school to study economics!
Valeria Valencia
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
I’ll be taking a gap year and heading back to sunny Los Angeles as I prepare for law school.
Who would you like to thank and why?
I would like to thank my family for always supporting me and being there for me.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
Slope Day 2022 -- enjoying the live concert, after two virtual Slope Days, under the bright Ithaca sun.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Student Assembly president
ALANA Intercultural Board president
Senior resident adviser
Law and Society minor
Inequality Studies minor
Selam Woldai
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Paralegal at Latham & Watkins LLP in the Washington, D.C., office
Who would you like to thank and why?
I would really like to thank my closest friends and mentors that helped me, listened to my rants and were my support system along the way. I would never change a thing about my undergraduate experience because I got to meet people who I know will be in my life for a really long time.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
My first Slope Day in May 2022 was so much fun! It was one of the only times I was excited to wake up really early. I got to make so many memories that entire day with my roommate, my closest friends and even got to meet the performer Aminè! It was so surreal getting to hug and talk to him, definitely the highlight of my semester!
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Triple minors in: Inequality Studies, Migration Studies, and Law and Society
Undergraduate Student-Elected Trustee
Co-founder and co-president of The BLACBook
Vice President of Academics for Black Ivy Pre-Law Society
Former resident adviser
Student supervisor at Bear Necessities for two years
Margaret Woodburn
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Traveling this summer through Europe and Southeast Asia, then starting my job in the fall as a management consulting at PwC.
Who would you like to thank and why?
First and foremost, thank you to my parents for nurturing my curiosity from a young age and for remaining supportive when I switched my interest from math to the social sciences mid-high school. I would also like to thank my roommates Julia Risi and Shaun Roberts for four years of early mornings, late nights and everything in between. Finally, to all the teachers and staff who have facilitated the last four years, thank you for committing so much enthusiasm to your job, we all appreciate and benefit from it.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
The late nights in Catherwood writing essays and the end of sophomore year when I got to experience my first Ithaca spring as covid restrictions softened.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Minors in Business, History of Capitalism, and Law and Society; involved in Cornell Dining, the Wardrobe, Phi Sigma Sigma and CPEP
Hanna Xue
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
I will be attending the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations to earn a Ph.D. in Labor, Work, and Society
Who would you like to thank and why?
I would like to thank Professor Jim Gross for motivating me to consider grad school and encouraging me through the process.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
The fall of 2021, when I did an off-campus credit internship with the Retail Workers Union in New York City.
LindaRose Piccolo
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Law School
Who would you like to thank and why?
First and foremost, I would like to thank my family: mom, dad, and sister Victoria, for always supporting me in everything I do. I would like to thank the Office of Admissions for giving me the opportunity to welcome in the new generations of ILRies, OSS for always providing me with academic and personal support, Kay in OCS for helping me chase my post-graduation dreams, and Kara and Professor Thomas for being incredible role models who have inspired me, challenged me, and encouraged me to go above and beyond in all that I do. I would lastly like to thank my friends and clubs/organizations for providing me with a great home, student experience, and lots of fun these last few years. All of these people have been my biggest cheerleaders, and I cannot thank them enough for their endless love, support, and dedication.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
Climbing up the 161 stairs to hear the chimes concert for the first time from the top of McGraw tower, and seeing all of Ithaca, all of the beautiful campus, and out across Cayuga Lake. It was the perfect spring day: sunny, 75 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, and everything was just breathtaking. It was one of those moments that made me stop and think about how grateful I was to be here, and it was almost unbelievable that the beautiful campus below me was my home.
Are there any minors or involvements you would like to highlight?
Minors: Business and Law & Society
Jay Klein
Do you have any exciting post-graduation plans?
Backpacking Europe with friends; starting a job at Barclays
Who would you like to thank and why?
The Big Red Sports Network (@cornellbrsn) has shown me what a motivated and talented team with a great culture and huge mission can accomplish. I have found my passion for leading and building great teams, and I want to start a company of my own as a result of my involvement with the student-run sports media organization.
What is your favorite Cornell memory?
Broadcasting Cornell women's soccer vs. UAlbany on ESPN+ along with Matthew Furman.
