New grads reflect on their Northwestern adventures and what’s next
June 12, 2025
| By Paloma Leone-Getten
Students in Peer Adviser Group 1 from Wildcat Welcome 2021 meet under the Arch for a pre-graduation photo shoot and a chance to reminisce. Peer Advisers are older Northwestern students who help mentor new students as they begin their time in Evanston. PA groups also serve as a built-in community for students as soon as they set foot on campus. Photo courtesy of Student Affairs Marketing
During Wildcat Welcome 2021, the students of Peer Adviser Group 1 launched their Northwestern careers together. They were first in line at March Through the Arch. And now, almost four years later, they’re ready to cap the journey by marching back under the Arch tomorrow evening.
Paloma Leone-Getten, a Medill junior and special contributor to Northwestern Now, caught up with the group to ask about their Northwestern experiences and upcoming plans.
Here’s what some of them had to say.
Then and now: Students from Peer Adviser Group 1 during Wildcat Welcome 2021 (top) and then again in 2025 (bottom) recreating the scene along the path to Deering Meadow. Photos courtesy of Student Affairs Marketing
What are your plans after graduation?
“I’m going to visit my family in New York and then move back to Chicago full time.” — Ryan Kessler
“I’m going to be working downtown for a year before going to med school.” — Jane Lewiston
“I’m visiting Italy with my family, so I’m very excited for that. It’ll be my parents’ first time in Europe.” — Brett Lickerman
“I’m from Hungary, and I’m going home for a year. I have a job there.” — Hanna Lipthay
“I’m starting the master’s program here in biomedical engineering, which is the same as my undergrad degree, until December, and then I need to get a job.” — Sasha Menchaca
“I’m continuing my master’s in computer science in Zurich.” — Noah Meurer
“I’m thinking of going to Istanbul.” — Ryan Moorhead
What advice would you give your first-year self?
“Be open to any and all opportunities. You never know what might be something you enjoy, so be open to everything.” — Ryan Kessler
“Take things a little less seriously.” — Jane Lewiston
“Try more new things. Join more clubs and participate in student organizations.” — Brett Lickerman
“Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors.” — Hanna Lipthay
“Try more things, get involved, try clubs, and try to meet everyone.” — Sasha Menchaca
“Not to worry so much about the destination and really enjoy the journey of being an undergrad. I think that it’s a journey of discovery.” — Noah Meurer
“Stay true to yourself. And don’t worry, everything will work out.” — Ryan Moorhead
March Back Through the Arch, a celebration of the undergraduates in the Class of 2025, takes place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 13, on Deering Meadow. For more information, check out the complete graduation weekend schedule.
