Class of 2026: Belonging in CLA
Belonging looks different for everyone. Sometimes it's found within a lively class discussion or from an influential mentor who routinely checks in, or even during a late-night walk along the Washington Avenue Bridge. For these members of the Class of 2026, CLA became a home away from home and a place to build meaningful connections with their chosen community.
Casey McNabb
BA '26, psychology
CLA offers an extremely wide range of majors and courses of study, so I felt encouraged to broaden my scope and consider options I hadn’t thought of before.
For my bachelor of science degree, I’ve had to take a myriad of science courses that have enriched my education and exposed me to subjects (such as anthropology and physics) that I didn’t know I would love as much as I do.
How has your time in CLA shaped how you see yourself? The mentorship experiences I’ve had with graduate students and professors made my goals within psychology much more concrete. I originally wanted to become a research professional or psychometrist, but after taking a class in Psychopathology, I’ve decided to pursue my dream of becoming a Clinical Neuropsychologist. My experience at CLA made me feel confident to pursue my most ambitious dreams, and the mentorship from graduate students and faculty has been instrumental in building my confidence.
Gigi Lawrence
BA '26, sociology; minor in health psychology
During my second year (fall 2024), I started speaking up more in class and made some friends. By spring 2025, though, I truly felt in my element. I was fully enrolled in classes I loved and felt genuinely inspired and supported. Home was a rough place during that time, and having school as a distraction was the best thing I could’ve asked for. I honestly wanted to cry after certain classes because I felt so secure and confident in my place there.
Tell us about a class that still sticks with you. Sociology of Gender, Sex, and Crime with Professor Gabrielle Ferrales – This was a discussion-based course where the topics felt relevant and sparked both passion and frustration. You could see hope in some people’s eyes; they wanted to speak up and add their own thoughts to the conversation.
Skylar Strudwick
BA '26, psychology
I felt that I first belonged at the University of Minnesota after walking the Washington Avenue Bridge alone at night as a freshman. There is something very tranquil about being alone on such a busy campus, admiring the architecture and imagining how many other people had walked this exact bridge and had gone on to do incredible things really made me feel a part of something larger than myself.
From this feeling, I decided to join the human rights program as an undergraduate working group member and writer. It was both there and in the Minnesota Jewish community through Minnesota Hillel, that I felt like I had found communities of people who would help me go as far as I can with my passions.
What's next? After I graduate in May 2026, I'm moving to Indonesia to work as a human rights researcher and fellow at a university. I will continue to write my book about conflict theory and hope to go on to become an international or human rights lawyer. I would like to continue writing up ads for various news publications and continue my work at my new publication platform the policy and rights lab.
Ariel Walker
BA '26, art
I started to feel like I belonged within my first month of classes beginning at CLA. I took the CLA Transfer Semester Experience class, which made me feel more connected as a whole to the college and CLA in general. I was able to have knowledge about what was going on around campus, felt connected to activities, and was able to feel like I had someone to turn to when I had questions or needed assistance. As I progressed, I was able to make friends and enjoy my time on campus.
What course would you recommend to other students in your major? I recommend taking the art course you aren't sure about. I didn't think sculpture would be my thing, because it wasn't, but then I took the intro class with John and was able to explore new mediums I didn't think I'd ever work with. I found that I had a love for fabric and crochet 3D work that I would love to continue to pursue. So take that class you aren't sure about, because you might find something you really enjoy.
Kiro Kamel
BA '26, biology, society, and the environment
What helped me stay motivated during my time at CLA was the strong sense of community. I was surrounded by peers who genuinely wanted to support and uplift one another, which made challenging moments feel more manageable. The advisors were also incredibly encouraging and accessible, always willing to offer guidance and reassurance when I needed it. Knowing that I had people invested in my growth pushed me to keep going, even during difficult semesters, and reminded me that I was never navigating challenges alone.
What's next? After graduation, I hope to attend dental school and continue working toward becoming a dentist. My goal is to serve underserved communities and help improve access to quality oral healthcare. My time at the U has shown me how disparities in care impact real people and families, and it has shaped my desire to be part of the solution. Through my academic experiences, research, and service involvement, I’ve learned that dentistry is not just about procedures, but about compassion, advocacy, and meeting patients where they are.
Meet the Class of 2026
CLA prepares students to become thoughtful citizens, innovative problem-solvers, and leaders in every sector of society. From healthcare and education to business, public service, media, science, and the arts, CLA graduates strengthen Minnesota’s workforce and communities.
These stories from the Class of 2026 reflect the many ways liberal arts students are preparing to make a difference — in their professions and in the lives of the people around them.
