“Being here has made me love my decision to go to a women’s college. I have never experienced such a friendly atmosphere, in which I feel safe and heard. Everyone here really supports each other, and it is such a warm and welcoming environment,” says Giovanna Sodano ’26.

Sydnee Cooper ’25 of Northampton, PA, was the winner of Cedar Crest’s 12th Annual Scholarship Competition Day. She was one of more than 100 high school students to participate in the competition, which consists of a three-hour exam covering the arts, mathematics, science and the humanities, as well as an interview portion for finalists.

Alexandra (Ally) Arabio ’21 of Egg Harbor, NJ, a two-sport athlete and double major, graduated in May 2021 and is off to Iowa State University to pursue her Ph.D. in statistics. Arabio is entering ISU's statistics graduate program after completing a one-year distance internship with the University’s Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence (CSAFE).

Cedar Crest student Rosa Harris ’21 was selected to receive a prestigious nursing award from the Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). Students in nursing programs across the Lehigh Valley were nominated, and Harris was notified in April that she had been named the winner of the Raymond L. Hoffman Award for Excellence as a Student Nurse.

Carlie Gausch ’21 of Reading, PA, was the winner of Cedar Crest’s 9th Annual Scholarship Competition Day. Then a high school senior, Gausch was one of more than 150 high school students to participate in the competition, which consists of a three-hour exam covering the arts, mathematics, science and the humanities, as well as an interview portion for finalists.

Elyse Podgurski ’21 graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and officially enters the workforce this fall as a first-grade teacher at Central Elementary School in Allentown, PA. While teaching she will pursue her Master of Education through Cedar Crest’s 4+1 Program.

Sieanna Rahatt ’21, a psychology and theatre double major and a commuter, is grateful that she was able to return to campus for the 2020-2021 academic year to learn, work and participate in her favorite activities, including theatre.

In class, Victoria Kohn ’21, a criminal justice major and Spanish minor, focused on learning everything she could about criminal justice from crime mapping to understanding the judicial system. Outside the classroom, she was determined to make a difference serving as president of the Criminal Justice Club and getting practical experience for a future career in juvenile justice and probation.

Allen Zelno G’20, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, a member of Cedar Crest’s inaugural cohort of nurse practitioners, was nominated by the Catholic Medical Association to witness the signing of a proclamation from the Oval Office in honor of National Nurses Day, May 6, 2020.

Madison Schettig ’21 applies the skills she is learning in Cedar Crest College’s criminal justice program to her work as a public safety analyst for the Allentown Police Department. “If you had asked me a year ago, I would have told you this is my dream job,” says Madison, who started working professionally in crime mapping before finishing her undergraduate studies.

“I am so lucky to be at a school where the proper precautions are taken so that we can still have some sort of a traditional college experience,” says business administration and communications student Sierra Lockhart ’22. Lockhart is an admissions ambassador and is involved in activities and organizations across campus. The pandemic has changed what students can do, when and with how many other people, but, Lockhart adds, the College is also working hard to maintain a sense of normalcy during unusual times.

Gabryel Porter ’21, a social work student, member of the school’s Racial Equity Committee and president of the Black Student Union (BSU), believes in the power of community and activism on campus. 

Daria Warner ’21 is making her mark at Cedar Crest College. She is majoring in business administration with certificates in health care management and human resources. Outside of class, Warner is a member of the Student Activities Executive Board, the Student Advisory Council, the school’s Racial Equity Committee, is head Resident Advisor of Butz and Curtis Halls, works in the athletics department and the Finance Office and is on the soccer and track teams.

In the fall of 2019, Bria Turner was a senior, focused on finishing her educational studies major and psychology minor. In addition to her required courses, Bria decided to take a class that sparked her interest, Introduction to Social Work. That course opened Bria’s eyes to the professional field of social work and a formal exploration of her community volunteering experiences.

Biology major, Mercedes (Mercy) Melo of Lehighton, PA, chose Cedar Crest College because of the small class sizes, ability to work one-on-one with professors in a hands-on environment and ample opportunities for undergraduate research.

Reflection is a big part of the decision-making process, so when it came to choosing a college, Adamaris (Addie) Moncion ’21 really took her time. She weighed both her own and her family’s needs. Addie spent so much time reflecting that she did not apply to Cedar Crest until Decision Day. Though waiting that long is not typical of applicants, that was when an AP English classmate mentioned Cedar Crest College to her. Addie finally found exactly what she and her family were looking for. 

Cedar Crest College junior, Sulakshmi Vaid, was awarded a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman ­International Scholarship Program in support of her study abroad experience.

Christiana (Christi) Vandegrift has dedicated her time at Cedar Crest to the growing field of health sciences. She is an exercise science major with a minor in sport and exercise psychology. The Cedar Crest health science program includes biology, chemistry, psychology and business coursework that all serve as a foundation for further clinical training.

“I had someone believe in me without even knowing me,” says Leannie Jusino ’22 of her first experience with Cedar Crest College admissions. She attended a large high school and made it clear during her college search that she didn’t want to be “just a number.” Her search for a small supportive community ultimately brought her to Cedar Crest.