Bucknell's Class of 2025: Where They're Heading from Here
May 5, 2025
As tassels turn, the Class of 2025 heads toward new jobs, new cities and new possibilities. Photo by Emily Paine, Marketing & Communications
Bucknell's Class of 2025 stands on the threshold of new beginnings. Through four years of academic rigor, leadership and personal growth, these students have cultivated diverse passions and honed the skills that will guide them forward. Now, they're heading into the world to learn, lead and make a positive impact. Whether entering the workforce, advancing their education or engaging in service endeavors, they carry with them the character and resilience shaped by their time on campus. We're excited to celebrate their graduation with them, and we can't wait to see just how far they go from here.
Nicholas Arbes '25
Nicholas Arbes '25 secured a position as a secondary advisory analyst at Campbell Lutyens in New York City. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Finance
What's Next? I'll be working at Campbell Lutyens in New York City as a secondary advisory analyst. In this role, I'll be a financial analyst on the transaction process for various private capital deals, primarily focusing on private equity secondary transactions with opportunities to work across different deal types.
The Bucknell Advantage: I've been fortunate to have valuable work experiences, including a summer internship with Hamilton Lane, a global private markets investment firm, where I worked on their secondaries team and learned from incredible mentors. This experience helped guide me through my first role in finance and provided invaluable insights.
Driven By: Growing up, watching my parents, who are both CPAs, initially drew me into the business and financial world. Additionally, my grandfather, who also studied business at Bucknell, is one of the most influential people in my life. I was excited to follow in his footsteps.
Leonel "Leo" Castro '25
Leonel Castro will be pursuing a master's in education at Columbia Teachers College. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Political science
What's Next? I'm currently an Alumni Funding Fellow for IDEA Public Schools and, this fall, I'll be starting my master's in education at Columbia Teachers College. At the same time, I'll be working as a case manager for Cayuga Centers, supporting undocumented minors by helping them access educational opportunities and navigating family law cases.
The Bucknell Advantage: I received the Bucknell Public Interest Program Internship, a grant that supports students who have secured full-time, unpaid summer internships in the nonprofit and public service sectors. This allowed me to complete a congressional internship and gain hands-on experience working with underserved students in Texas. I also interned with Susquehanna Legal Aid, where I advocated for rural communities in central Pennsylvania — drafting legal documents, conducting investigative interviews, and working on projects at the intersection of education and law.
Driven By: Coming from a community where education is a privilege, I have been determined to open opportunities for students with similar backgrounds. Bucknell allowed me to gain experiences that opened possibilities. I look forward to helping underserved students access education as a means to break generational poverty.
Meghan Catherwood '25
Meghan Catherwood '25 will be interning at NYU Langone Health before pursuing medical school. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
What's Next? During a gap year before medical school, I will be volunteering as an intern at NYU Langone Health in the cardiology department. In this position, I hope to immerse myself in the clinical side of medicine. I will be working with several cardiologists to learn about this field of medicine, gain inpatient and outpatient experience and participate in the clinical research process.
The Bucknell Advantage: I feel that my experience with the biology department at Bucknell has prepared me well for this position. Undergraduate research has given me the opportunity to learn about new things through hands-on experiences. My research mentors and professors have made me excited to learn and given me confidence to explore new ideas. The liberal arts curriculum at Bucknell has also enabled me to pursue Spanish as a second major.
Driven By: I want to be a physician because my involvement in athletics introduced me to many areas of medicine, taught me about physical fitness and demonstrated the importance of taking care of my body. I suffered several injuries, which helped me discover my interest in the human body and its healing process. I was introduced to many physicians during this time who made me excited about my recovery, and I want to be able to help others in a similar way.
Tahdai Crews-Harris '25
Tahadai Crews-Harris '25 will join CohnReznick Advisory LLC in Baltimore as a tax associate. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Accounting
What's Next? As a tax associate at CohnReznick Advisory LLC in Baltimore, I'll prepare tax returns for individuals, partnerships and corporations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with tax laws. I'll analyze client financial data, identify potential tax issues and make necessary adjustments. My role will also involve conducting tax research using sources like the Internal Revenue Code and treasury regulations to resolve complex questions.
The Bucknell Advantage: My Bucknell experience laid a strong foundation for my career in tax accounting. Courses in accounting and data analytics helped me understand key practices, terminology and how to use data for decision-making. Attending the Center for Career Advancement's career fair led me to expand my horizons and find a tax internship where I gained hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of tax regulations. Serving as a study group facilitator through the Teaching & Learning Center and as a teaching assistant in the Freeman College of Management sharpened my leadership, problem-solving and communication skills. These experiences taught me to take initiative, explain complex concepts clearly and foster collaboration.
Driven By: I've always had a passion for math, problem-solving and a strong concern for people, which led me to pursue a career in accounting. My high school experience in a comprehensive, advanced math and science program solidified my connection with numbers. I realized that I thrive when faced with intellectually challenging work. Accounting, with its complex problem-solving and analytical nature, offers the perfect environment to challenge myself and apply my skills on a deeper level. I believe this career will allow me to continuously grow and engage with my passion for both numbers and helping others.
Maddy Davis '25
Maddy Davis '25 will be working in Nestlé's Manufacturing Leadership Development Program in Springville, Utah. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Chemical engineering
What's Next? I'll be joining Nestlé's Manufacturing Leadership Development Program at their Springville, Utah, plant. It's a rotational role designed to fast-track associates into management. The program offers hands-on experience across various factory functions and, after six months, I'll choose a focused path in either production, maintenance or warehouse leadership.
The Bucknell Advantage: Bucknell engineering students take over 19 lab credit hours, which gives us unique, hands-on experience. I completed an eight-month co-op during my junior year at Rich Products, which helped me gain experience with food manufacturing and helped set me up for a career in food. The opportunities for collaboration and hands-on learning that Bucknell promotes in labs and classes, as well as close relationships with professors, has benefited me greatly and helped set me apart from other candidates.
Driven By: Growing up around my family's restaurant, Pearly Baker’s Alehouse in Easton, Pa., gave me a unique perspective on food systems, community and small businesses. During my first year at Bucknell, I took Food, Farming and Sustainability with Professor Steve Jordan, biology. We explored how food systems have changed over the past 20 years, and I became interested in the intersection of large-scale food manufacturing and sustainability. Since I was interested in food sustainability, Professor Jordan encouraged me to switch to chemical engineering. This helped shape my college experience and career trajectory.
Joe Dox '25
Joe Dox '25 secured a job as an entertainment technician for Disney Cruise Line. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Computer engineering
Minor: Theatre design & technology
What's Next? I will live and work on a Disney cruise ship as an entertainment technician, supporting entertainment events both on the ship and on Disney's private islands. As part of a team of 25–35 technicians, I'll help bring to life everything from theatrical shows and themed dining to fireworks and special events like pirate and Marvel nights.
The Bucknell Advantage: Bucknell gave me the flexibility to major in computer engineering while also minoring in design & technology, which led me to discover the technical side of the live entertainment industry. Through the Department of Theatre & Dance, I've had hands-on experience in a technical environment and the chance to study design in courses such as Lighting Design and an independent study in Advanced Sound Design.
Driven By: I've always been captivated by how things function behind the scenes — how technology works to create moments that feel like magic but in reality are created by a hidden, complex system. At Bucknell, I had the opportunity to attend the United States Institute for Theatre Technology conference twice, where I saw firsthand how a career in live entertainment could be both viable and fulfilling.
Kona Glenn '25
Kona Glenn '25 will work as a combat systems electronics engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine for the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered fleet. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Computer science & engineering
Minor: Applied mathematics
What's Next? I'll be working as a combat systems electronics engineer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, where I'll be repairing and modernizing the technical systems on submarines in the U.S. Navy's nuclear-powered fleet.
The Bucknell Advantage: My Bucknell experience has prepared me for the start of my career. Undergraduate research helped me discover my passions and apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems. Through senior design, my team worked with a client to create practical solutions, and my involvement with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee taught me leadership, discipline and resilience — skills essential for success in my field.
Driven By: I was inspired to pursue this career path as I conducted research this previous summer with the National Institute for Undersea Vehicle Technology, which I found really fascinating. I developed a passion for the unique engineering challenges presented by submarines and wanted to continue to explore technological development in such an environment. The underwater environment introduces obstacles that are not encountered on land, and I found myself genuinely excited by the problem-solving required to overcome them.
Colton Jiorle '25
Colton Jiorle '25 will join Constellation Energy as an electrical design engineer at Three Mile Island's Crane Clean Energy Center. Photo by James. T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Majors: Electrical engineering; management for engineers; classics & ancient Mediterranean studies
What's Next? I'll be joining Constellation Energy as an electrical design engineer at Three Mile Island's Crane Clean Energy Center, where plans are underway to restart Unit 1 by 2028. My primary role will be to analyze the plant's current condition and help bring it back online. It's an incredible opportunity to apply my engineering and technical skills with a strong focus on safety and reliability.
The Bucknell Advantage: I came to Bucknell because I wanted to explore a wide range of interests. Even as an engineering major, I had access to everything a liberal arts education offers. Bucknell pushed me outside my comfort zone and helped me grow into someone completely different than who I was coming in. Hands-on, experiential courses in my majors built my confidence in technical skills, while the broad range of classes encouraged me to think about the industry more holistically.
Driven By: So much of our lives revolves around our access to energy and technology. We're at a pivotal time where much of our power grid and energy infrastructure are aging, and the global conversation around generation and delivery standards is evolving. Engineering is fundamentally about solving problems. It is my goal to be a part of this change because I care deeply about the social and political implications of my work as well as the technical and economic impact.
Grace Santanna '25
Grace Santanna '25 is pursuing a master's of education in Human Development Counseling at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Majors: Psychology and Italian studies
Minor: Environmental studies & sciences
What's Next? Graduate School: I'm pursuing a master's of education in Human Development Counseling at Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Over the next three years, I'll be on the clinical mental health track, taking courses and completing internships in preparation for licensure as a professional counselor.
The Bucknell Advantage: The psychology department at Bucknell has helped me achieve this lifelong goal. The wide variety of course offerings, research opportunities and mentorship from professors has been invaluable.
Driven By: I have always been interested in the mental health space, but the COVID-19 pandemic solidified my drive and desire to continue on this path because it highlighted the growing need for counselors. The stigma surrounding mental health has been decreasing over the last few years, and I want to be part of reducing it even more.
Chris Sims '25
Chris Sims '25 is joining Karr Barth in Philadelphia as a wealth management associate. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Economics
What's Next? I'll be working as a wealth management associate for Karr Barth at their Philadelphia branch. Additionally, I'll be traveling with the Premier Lacrosse League as an on-site merchandise intern this summer.
The Bucknell Advantage: Hands-on experiences in classes, especially those involving collaboration with others, have been incredibly valuable to me.
Driven By: I have always loved sports and wanted to do something related to them. Helping people has also always been an interest of mine, and being a financial advisor gives me the ability to do that.
Kaitlyn Trageser '25
Kaitlyn Trageser '25 secured a position as an operations engineer for Shiseido Cosmetics in New Jersey. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications
Major: Chemical engineering
Minor: Food systems
What's Next? I'll be working as an operations engineer for Shiseido Cosmetics in New Jersey, where I'll focus on optimizing and overseeing manufacturing and production processes to keep operations running smoothly, efficiently and safely. I'll also analyze performance data to identify areas for improvement.
The Bucknell Advantage: Bucknell has provided me with a strong foundation of hands-on experiences, technical coursework and collaborative problem-solving skills. The College of Engineering has given me the opportunity to connect with professors and alumni who have become mentors, as well as engage with industry professionals.
Driven By: I have always wanted to work in cosmetics, and chemical engineering made that dream possible. I chose chemical engineering for its versatility and the ability to solve complex problems analytically. The cosmetics industry will allow me to innovate, create new products, and find ways to make them cleaner and more sustainable.
