What's Next?

UNC Asheville Seniors Share Their Plans After College

By UNC Asheville

April 24^th, 2023

As the spring semester wraps up at UNC Asheville, a few graduating seniors shared some of their favorite memories, their best advice, the plans for their bright futures, and how UNC Asheville got them there. Hats off to the Class of 2023, and all the adventures they’re setting out on!

Joseph Walston, Environmental Studies

What's Next: I’ll be pursuing my PhD in Botany, covering carnivorous plant evolution. I've always loved taxonomy, the structure and diversity of organisms. It’s a bit of a theoretical science, combining plant data with theory. Also, carnivorous plants are crazy!
Miss the Most?: My research advisor. I’ll miss all the tight connections I had with my professors.
Advice: Take advantage of the opportunities that the university offers.

Lo Braswell, Biology and Africana Studies

Matteo Rios, Biology

What's Next: I hope to get my doctorate in biochemistry, stay in academia, and become a professor. I want to move back to Italy first, but all of that. I am going to study hormonal changes in lambs and how that affects humans in my next phase of school.
Miss the Most?: Asheville. I love this city.
Advice: You can enjoy yourself and be a great student at the same time.

Nicholas Grandstaff, Mechatronics Engineering

Celestine Epps, Mass Communication

What's Next: I’ll be working for Priestess Magazine. They talk to folks about living in a Post-Roe world, covering businesses, fashion, and politics.
Miss the Most?: I’ll miss the Blue Banner Room. It just had so many great ideas, and it’s really nostalgic.
Advice: Always try new things.

Delaney Carlton, Physics

Kate Brizzolara, Drama

What's Next: I’ll be working as a scenic carpenter for St. Michael’s Playhouse in Vermont. Basically building and designing the sets for plays. It’s great because I’m based in carpentry here at UNC Asheville, so I’m continuing that path.
Miss the Most?: My friends, my professors, all the support.
Advice: Try everything!

Anna Davis, Psychology

What's Next: I’m going to the Bahai World Center, and I’ll be gardening and cleaning. It’s part of my family’s religion. I’ll do that for a year and then come back to work in experiential therapy.
Miss the Most?: Sitting outside on the Quad.
Advice: Connect with your professors.

Miracle Okoro, Mass Communication

Lily Bellemy, History with minor in WGSS

What's Next: I enjoy working with kids, so I’ll be working at First Environments in partnership with the EPA and they focus on sustainability and integrating practices into childcare systems.
Miss the Most?: The quad in the spring.
Advice: Pack walking shoes.

Veronika Mojik, Biology and Chemisty

What's Next: I’m hoping to go into the genetic disorder field, like sickle cell, or going into a gene editing company, after my PhD in Genetics at Texas A&M.
Miss the Most?: Small classes, and being close with my professors.
Advice: Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.