Compiled by Ella Prieto, Editor-in-Chief
Riley Nolan ’26 – January Leadership Expedition through the Garthwait Leadership Center
Riley Nolan ’26 in the Aysén Region of Patagonia, Chile with the Garthwait Leadership Center. (Photo Courtesy of Author)
This past January, I went to the Aysén Region of Patagonia in Chile with the Garthwait Leadership Center, where I participated in their January Leadership backpacking expedition. Over the course of the 8-day backcountry trip, we moved through mountain valleys, saw 1000-foot granite walls, waded in the second largest freshwater lake in South America, and immersed ourselves in a big, remote environment. The days were packed with sights and long mileage and I was consistently being physically pushed and challenged; I believe this was a good and empowering thing, because it helped me see what I’m actually capable of!
The natural beauty of the area was indescribable, but what arguably struck me more was the way this trip transformed my perception of myself and how I think about the world. With us were two guides, Mauricio and Martín, who grew up in the area and had travelled the Torres del Avellano before. While their knowledge was fantastic and thorough, their company was even more enjoyable as we laughed through our long days together. The connections we were able to make with them on the trip were so special, and made me reflect on how important people and relationships are for finding meaning in places. Our experiences in the local towns in the days following the backcountry portion of the trip only solidified this feeling. While I’ll always remember how beautiful the landscape was, it was the people and connections that deepened the expedition and helped me make meaning of the experience.
Isabelle Stehle ’26 – Immersion Trip through the Center for Public Service
Isabelle Stehle ’26 in Morocco through the Center for Public Service. (Photo Courtesy of Author)
Getting to lead the immersion project to Morocco, focusing on Women’s Rights and Islamic Feminism, was an unforgettable experience! One of the best parts of the experience was being able to stay with host families. We were able to share meals, spend time together and be welcomed into their homes. When the Moroccan soccer team won the semifinals match of the African Cup, my host family took me out to celebrate in the streets of Rabat with the whole city, and we walked towards the parliament building where crowds were dancing, playing music and celebrating their team’s win. To build on the trip’s themes, we were able to talk to different professors and NGOs about the state of human rights and feminism in Morocco. Through these conversations, I have better developed my own definition of feminism and the importance of female agency regarding defining what it means to be an emancipated woman, especially cross-culturally. One of my proudest moments was watching my participants bond during the trip and seeing their growth and comfortability shift as we spent more time together. They asked interesting questions and always pushed to challenge what we were being told, and even what wasn’t being discussed such as menstrual and LGBTQ+ rights issues. I am even more grateful for our trip mentor, Dr. Yoko Nishimura for her constant support and enthusiasm for the trip. If you have the opportunity to go on an immersion project with the Center for Public Service (CPS) I highly recommend it!
Nicole Watson ’26 presenting at the Gender & Leadership Trip through the Eisenhower Institute. (Photo Courtesy of Author)
Nicole Watson ’26 – Gender & Leadership Trip through the Eisenhower Institute
The Eisenhower’s Gender and Leadership study trip allowed me to connect with various nonprofits and organizations in D.C., centered around three key themes: masculinity, women in power, and LGBTQ+ leadership. I am currently applying to graduate programs for International Development with a focus on gender, and this trip challenged me to uncover my own biases and approach topics with an open mind and a listening ear. We learned about the various ways nonprofits implement programs and solutions, as well as how they collaborate to reach broader audiences and effect more significant changes. Having open discussions with countless professionals and fellow Gettysburg students, I was able to hear everyone’s perspectives and engage in meaningful conversations to grow as a student and as a leader. I am so grateful for this experience, and I believe it made me a more compassionate, open-minded, and curious leader.
Keefer Stiles ’27 and classmates in Orlando through the Center for Career Engagement. (Photo Courtesy of Author)
Keefer Stiles ’27 – Orlando Brand Marketing and Business Strategy through Center for Career Engagement
Being able to go to Florida over winter break and escape the frigid temperatures is one thing, but being able to explore the theme parks in Florida is even better. However, the best thing about the trip was the experiential learning and forming connections with industry leaders and building skills to use professionally in a business mindset, but also applicable to any profession. Through the Orlando Brand Marketing and Business Strategy with the Center for Career Engagement and alumnus Greg Edelson ’87, the group of students spent a week learning from professionals in the industry, and exploring the sites to see, feel, and be immersed in when words appear as actions. One of the biggest lessons from the week was understanding what collaborative partnership is and how to be a good partner. The entire week should how foundational partnerships between companies can work to create these interactive experiences, and how supporting each other establishes long-term partnerships. This skill is compatible with any industry or occupation, even as a student working in a club or class project for school. An experience like this was made possible from Gettysburg College and provided meaningful advice and connections with industry professionals, that enhanced my college experience.
Cassidy Haines ’26 – W. W. Norton & Co. and Franklin & Marshall College through Center for Career Engagement
Cassidy Haines ’26 at W. W. Norton & Co. through the Center for Career Engagement. (Photo Courtesy of Author)
Over winter break, I was lucky enough to explore two job shadowing opportunities through the Center for Career Engagement’s winter experiential learning cycle. Thanks to the kind invitations from alumnae Katie Bolger ’18, who is the Media Editor for Communications and Humanities at publishing house W. W. Norton & Co. in New York City, and Anna Baldasarre ’14, who is the Associate Director of Annual Giving Marketing at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, I was able to learn so much about two entirely separate fields. When I went to Norton, I also joined fellow Gettysburgians Ella Beam ’26 and Alyssa Lanza ’28. During my day-trips, I spent time listening in on meetings, practicing a typical entry-level task and discussing career paths with plenty of staff from both places. One of the things I heard throughout both days was that, as a soon-to-be graduate of a liberal arts college, my experiences on campus and in the classroom are entirely marketable for a vast array of fields. Though educational publishing and college advancement do not have quite the same day-to-day routines, these experiences through CCE were essential in helping me figure out my next steps after graduation. I can’t recommend their job shadowing and site visit program enough, and I am still so grateful to have connected with Gettysburg alumnae like this.
This article originally appeared on pages 8-9 of the February 2026 edition of The Gettysburgian magazine.
