One of the goals of Hopkins is to prepare you so whichever path you pursue, you’ll be well-rounded and well-connected. Programs like OneHop build purposeful relationships between current students and selected alumni mentors and provide a community for alumni to network with one another, and to offer guidance to fellow alumni and students.
Here are just a few examples of what our graduated Blue Jays do:
1. They start their own businesses.
Deepa Gandhi ’07 graduated with a B.A. in International Studies, Entrepreneurship and Management. In 2013, she co-founded and became the COO of Dagne Dover, a mission-focused handbag company that “makes bags for humans getting the most out of life.”
2. They come up with their own solutions.
Ian McClane ’15 graduated with a B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a B.A. in Romance Languages. He was selected as an honoree for Forbes 30 under 30 List for his work in re-engineering the traditional stethoscope to diagnose pneumonia, which came from research that he started in his sophomore year.
Ian McClane, Class of 2015“I was fortunate to have found my dream mentor early in my career. Dr. West—inventor of the electret microphone, godfather of modern acoustics, and diversity in STEM advocate—is highly sought after as a mentor and I am fortunate that he has been a major catalyst in my life.”
What started out as a Design Day project quickly caught the nation’s attention. As engineering undergrads, Marie Eric ’22, Tyler Guarino ’22, Rachel Nie ’22, and Erin Walsh ’22 invented Tastee Tape, which Time Magazine named as one of the Best Inventions of 2022. The team is working to fine-tune the recipe before filing for a patent.
3. They become masters of their material.
Taylor Alessio ’16 graduated with a B.A. in Art History. She’s a Junior Specialist in Old Master’s Paintings at Christie’s, a world-leading art and luxury business.
4. They write stories across different mediums.
Ellen O’Clover ’15, a Writing Seminars graduate, is a YA novelist with her debut book, Seven Percent of Ro Devereux, set to be published in 2023.
Zach Baylin ’02, who majored in Film and Media Studies, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for King Richard.
“What makes Baylin’s story so remarkable is that the film also comprises his first official screenwriting credit. Although he sold his first option, “for 500 bucks or something,” just two years after graduating from Hopkins—where his coursework as a Film and Media Studies major ignited a passion for screenwriting—his career, like so many in the entertainment industry, has been marked by fascinating detours.”
5. They lead as politicians.
Wes Moore ’01 is the first Black governor-elect of Maryland and will become only the third Black governor in U.S. history upon taking office. He earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Hopkins.
6. They guide as coaches.
Wes Unseld Jr. ’97 is the head coach of the NBA’s Washington Wizards. He studied economics as an undergraduate.
In an interview with Johns Hopkins Magazine, he said, “Hopkins was great for me, I learned a lot about playing your role. You might not always be the best player…Well, figure out your niche, work on your craft, and you’ll get more responsibility as you go.”
7. They form deep bonds.
Adam Baumgartner ’10 organizes a group of alumni to cheer on the Blue Jay Racing program, which he served as captain while an engineering student, and attend other racing events. He not only acted as an alumni resource to undergrads, but he also developed enduring friendships with some of them, including Jenni Herchek ’14 and Seán Bailey ’14 who would later ask Adam to officiate at their wedding.
8. They are forever a Blue Jay.
Our alumni stay connected well after they leave campus. The Alumni Association hosts events throughout the country and offers travel and learning opportunities. There’s also an active online alumni community that our undergrads can network with while they’re still at Hopkins.
