These five recent University of Richmond graduates are heading into careers across consulting, technology, research, and recruiting. They reflect on the classes, experiences, and Spider community that shaped their next steps.

Ahona Anjum

Major: Business, Economics

Position: Business Analyst for McKinsey, Washington, D.C.

What will you be doing with McKinsey?

As a generalist, I look forward to getting trained and building my consulting toolkit on projects that can range from education to private equity. I look forward to trying different industries and finding my niche throughout my first year at McKinsey.

When were you hired? 

I got my offer in August 2025 after a two-round interview process. My final round interviews were in-person, so it was super cool to go into the D.C. office and meet people at the firm to really get a sense of the work and the culture!

What class outside of your major did you enjoy? 

My favorite class of all time at UR was also one outside my major. It was my First-Year Seminar, Greatest Filmmakers of the World, with Dr. Olivier Delers. I still remember my final project, where I made a video essay on two of my favorite films, Lady Bird and Little Women, both directed by Greta Gerwig. Dr. Delers was always encouraging all of my ideas and thoughts, and as a first-year student, there was nothing more important than that.

What was a highlight of your study abroad in Milan?

I love that city, and my friends and I took full advantage of all the shops, restaurants, and events like Milan Fashion Week. I also loved the aperitivo culture, so after class we would always gather for a spritz and snacks. I really miss my time there and cannot wait to go back!

What will you miss about UR? 

I will miss being close to all my friends that I met here at UR. I had the best senior year living with my best friends, and as the "host apartment," we truly had the most amazing time hosting everyone and just doing whatever our hearts desired.

Tristan Henning

Major: Leadership Studies, Business

Position: Business Associate, the Vertex Companies, Washington, D.C.

What will your new position involve?

I will be working on a range of different cases relating to labor disputes, contract terminations, and project delays. My job is to help quantify the economic damages felt by our clients as they enter litigation against another party. 

When did you get the job?

I was sent a return offer in early September after I finished up my summer internship in August. I was anxious about finding a job after graduation, but getting the offer so early in the school year took away much of that stress. I was able to soak in all the moments of senior year without having to worry about my next steps, which I was grateful for. 

What was an important class at UR?

Professor Hoyle’s Accounting 302 class stands out as one that really challenged me during my time at UR. It equipped me with the critical thinking skills necessary to overcome any obstacles that I may encounter in the future. 

What was your favorite extracurricular activity?

My favorite extracurricular activity was Alpha Phi Omega,  the community service fraternity that volunteers with different organizations in the Richmond area. Being able to go out into the local communities and give back while meeting so many new people was incredibly rewarding.  

What was your study abroad in Madrid like?

Being able to immerse myself in the Spanish culture for a semester is something I will always value. That semester really brought me out of my comfort zone. One experience that sticks out is taking a flamenco dance class to fulfill my performing arts requirement for UR. 

Aiden Neigler

Major: Business, Marketing

Position: Customer Growth Associate, Google, New York City

When did you get the job?

I applied in January and received the offer in early March. I initially applied to a few different roles at Google, but I heard back about the Google Ads team position first and began the interview process shortly after.

What was a memorable class at UR?

One of the most impactful classes I took at UR was marketing lab with Dr. Hanson. The class gave students the opportunity to work as marketing consultants for local Richmond businesses, which helped me build real-world experience and confidence in my marketing skills. It also gave me valuable experiences I could speak about during interviews.

What was your favorite class outside of your major?

One of my favorite experiences outside of my major was taking piano lessons at UR. It became a really rewarding creative outlet for me. I’m hoping to continue playing after college.

Did you study abroad?

I studied abroad in Prague, which was my first time visiting Europe. One highlight was visiting the Vienna Christmas markets with my dad when he came to visit.

What will you never forget about UR?

I’ll always remember how close-knit the UR community was. One of the things I appreciated most about attending a smaller school was being able to build close friendships while also seeing familiar faces all around campus every day.

Mac Ross (December 2025 graduate)

Major: Rhetoric and Communications Studies

Position: Technical recruiter for Highlands Talent Group in Chicago

What are you doing with Highlands?

I’m a technical recruiter that specializes in placing senior executives at some of the top finance and tech firms in the country.

When/how did you get the job offer?

I received an offer in October of 2025. A friend of mine back home in Chicago worked in executive search, which was a field I knew I wanted to work in. I got in touch with him and he recommended me to his managing partners. From there, I participated in a four-stage interview process and received a full-time offer.

What drew you to this position?

I’ve always been told I’m a people person. Communication has always carried a high value in my life. I find it’s how I learn about the world and those around me. This is what led me to be a comms major, as well as to look for a position and career where there was no shortage of conversation.

What was an important class at UR, or who was an important mentor in your trajectory?

Some of my favorite classes at UR were Documentary Journalism with Andy Grace and Communication in Challenging Contexts with Dr. Scott Johnson. Those were some of my most formative mentors on the academic side of things. I also worked [in University Communications] for two years as a public relations and social media intern. Sunni Brown, Lauren Anesta, and Rachel Dawson were important mentors who I now view more as friends. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those three incredible individuals.

What will you miss about UR?

I’ll miss things about UR like Passport [Café] sandwiches and walking around the lake, but I’ll miss my friends more than anything.

Siobhan Stack

Major: Biology

Position: Research Technician with Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York City

What will you be doing with MSK?

I will be working directly with Dr. Chun-Hao Pan in the Tammela lab and studying phenotypic heterogeneity of cancer cells in tumors. I am fascinated by genetics and cancer biology. I attended some research talks at MSK two years ago during my summer research experience at Weill Cornell, and I was inspired by how passionate the scientists were there.

Do you plan to go to medical school?

I plan on applying to medical school after working for a few years in the Tammela lab.

What was your favorite extracurricular activity, and why?

I competitively Irish danced until my junior year and traveled to Ireland, England, and Scotland for competitions. I also was very involved in Camp Kesem, an on-campus organization that puts on a free, week-long, overnight summer camp for children who have or had a parent with cancer. The three summers I spent volunteering as a counselor at Camp Kesem were some of the best weeks of my life.

What class outside of your major did you enjoy?

I’m an English minor! My favorite English class was Love and Marriage in Renaissance Literature with Dr. Anthony Russell. It was the smallest class I have ever taken in my life. There were only five students. The discussions we had were incredibly deep and interesting, and we read some amazing works of poetry and literature.