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Northwestern University

Alumni and Alumnae Paths

The paths that Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences graduates take through life are varied and often unexpected. See where a liberal arts degree lead some of our alumni. 

Paula Pretlow

Paula Pretlow ’77 became a passionate advocate for education as well as a leader in investment management.

headshot of samir mayekar

Clean energy entrepreneur Samir Mayekar '06 served in the White House before launching his award-winning startup, SiNode Systems.

headshot of nicole gonzalez van cleve

Criminal justice professor Nicole Gonzalez Van Cleve '99 has worked to expose injustice in America's largest criminal court system.

Dave Revsine

Dave Revsine '91 launched the Big Ten Network and wrote a bestselling book about college football.

Matt Forti

Matt Forti '00 applied his skills in economics and sociology to build One Acre Fund, an organization that fights poverty in Africa.

Cristina HenrĂ­quez

Cristina Henriquez '99 turned her passion for creative writing into a successful career as a respected fiction writer.

David Reitze

David Reitze '83 led the team of space researchers that first detected the phenomenon of gravitational waves.

David Skorton

David Skorton '70 became the chief executive of the Smithsonian, the world's largest museum, education and research complex.

Elise Wetzel

Elise Wetzel '87 created and built Blaze Pizza, one of the fastest-growing food chains in the history of the United States.

Jena Friedman

Jena Friedman '05 launched a successful career as a stand-up comedian, writer, director and producer for "The Daily Show."

Ben Knight

Ben Knight '98 pursues his art while managing a restaurant business and co-starring in the PBS series "A Chef's Life."

Brenda Darden Wilkerson

As president and CEO of AnitaB.org, Brenda Darden Wilkerson '85 works to expand opportunities for women and minorities in technology.

John Malott

A long career in the foreign service led John Malott '67 to serve as ambassador to Malaysia.

Cristina Bejan

Cristina Bejan ’04 established herself as a playwright, scholar, actress, and poet.

Sheri Prentiss

Sheri Prentiss ’89 survived cancer and became an inspirational motivational speaker.

Helen Holt

Helen Froelich Holt ’34, ’38 broke new ground for women in government and politics.

Paul Checchia

Paul Checchia ’89 applies lessons from literature to his work in pediatric medicine. 

Delida Costin

Delida Costin ’91 brings her passion for history to law, technology and business.

Sean Harte

Sean Harte ’87 spurs economic growth for his clients and his tribe.