What Was That Like?: Season 5

Academics

Undergraduate What Was That Like?

Season 5 Capturing Creativity: Exploring Modern Photography with Jasper Soloff '17 The Heart of Libraries and Literature with Elizabeth Delinger ’86 Navigating Climate Solutions and Global Impact with Lindsay Iversen ’04 Advocating for Youth Mental Health and Education with Dr. McKenna Parnes ’15 Fueling Creative Energy in Media and Beyond with Mia Lardiere ’14 Translating College into Career Success with Leigh Heyman ’98

Academic Approach Areas of Study Global Education Combined Degree Programs Pre-Professional Programs Faculty Students & Faculty in Conversation Success After Sarah Lawrence

Capturing Creativity: Exploring Modern Photography with Jasper Soloff ’17

In this “What Was That Like” episode, “Capturing Creativity”, Ava Melendez (’25), Emma Miszewski (’27), Hannah Drum (’27), Drew Evans (’27), Tory Rivera (’27), Tara Belger (’26), Delilah Higgins (’27), and Alexandra Williams (’27) had spoken to Jasper Soloff (’17) about what being in the photography industry means in the modern world. He reminisces over past shoots, highlighting the ideas of community and marketing to promote and establish who he is as a photographer/individual.

The Heart of Libraries and Literature with Elizabeth Delinger ’86

Elizabeth (Liz) Delinger, class of ’86, is joined in conversation by Maddie Eggan ’25, Marie Song ’25, and Bayla Cohen-Knott ’27. Liz works at the New York Public Library as the curator of the Library’s collection of British Romantic literature. Liz discusses the importance of libraries in our society and her surprising-to-herself career path, as well as the skills that have mattered most to her and what’s really the most important of all: the people.

Navigating Climate Solutions and Global Impact with Lindsay Iversen ’04

In this episode, Pearl Gauthier (’27), Lola Martin (’25), Madeline Cho (’25), and Claire Denne (’27) interview alum Lindsay Iversen (’04), who works in climate mitigation and foreign relations. Iversen speaks about her unique experience at Sarah Lawrence, learning experiences, transitioning from college to working, networking, and graduate school. She also addresses the changing field of climate mitigation and international relations, small everyday positives, how to stay motivated, and offers her personal glimpses of hope for the future.

Advocating for Youth Mental Health and Education with Dr. McKenna Parnes ’15

In this episode, Clinical Psychologist and Acting Assistant Professor at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Dr. McKenna Parnes ’15, spoke with students Daniella Calvo ’25, Engers Polanco ’25, Lauren Clark ’26, Nana-Ama Donkor ’26, Riley Arnold ’25, Samania Mamun ’27, and Skylar Smith ’25 about her journey from SLC to academia and research. She shared insights on her work with younger communities and her commitment to advocating for child and youth mental health. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Parnes emphasized the relationship-building aspect of the SLC education, which she credited with her success after graduation.

Fueling Creative Energy in Media and Beyond with Mia Lardiere ’14

In this episode, we talk with Mia Lardiere ’14, Senior Director of Audience Development, Social, and Video at Hearst Magazines. We discuss Mia’s career history at Hearst and how she has kept up with the ever-changing media landscape. Mia shares her insights about the importance of transferable skills and being able to measure and hone in your skills in order to advocate for yourself. We also discuss how a Sarah Lawrence education can translate to the workforce, as Mia explains the importance of passion in one's work and the importance of keeping creative energy alive.

Translating College into Career Success with Leigh Heyman ’98

Leigh Heyman ’98 is joined in conversation by Sarah Lawrence students Eryn Diehl ’25, Molly Healey ’25, Delaney Julianna ’27, Lucille Marten-Risk ’27, Luca Mesiti ’27, and Connor Saul ’27, to expand their knowledge on networking, entrepreneurship, and team-building. Heyman shared the details of his career path, including working under President Obama as the Director of New Media Technologies, and the unique ways in which that path was uniquely and intrinsically influenced by his Sarah Lawrence education. He discusses the multi-hyphenate experience, particularly as a student-athlete, and shares what the Sarah Lawrence mindset looks like beyond higher education. Heyman displays fearlessness and a passion for his career that is indicative of Sarah Lawrence’s influence on student career-readiness and work ethic.