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Division I, Social Sciences

The Social Sciences are a discipline or branch of science that deals with human behavior in its social and cultural aspects. The social sciences include cultural (or social) anthropology, sociology, social psychology, political science, and economics. It's important to study the social sciences because knowledge of the social sciences can help improve our societies. By studying these things, we are becoming better informed about how societies work and how to hopefully improve them in the future.

Lindsey Merritt standing outdoorsLindsey Merritt ’22 (she/her)

Anthropology (and German Studies)

I'm from a small town called Waterloo in Illinois. I chose Whitman because of its small, tight-knit community and beautiful location. On campus I'm also a German Language Assistant, and I'm involved with sexual violence prevention and advocacy. My particular interest is in food anthropology, and when I have the time I love getting to cook dinner for myself and my housemates!

Favorite class or classes in major: Language and Culture

Favorite class out of major: The Art of India

Contact: merritlm@whitman.edu

Portrait of Ashley JoeAshley Joe ’22 (she/her/hers)

Economics

Hello! I am a senior studying Economics and Sociology from Orange County, California. Besides classes, I swim on the varsity team and work for the Whitman College Consulting Corps. I'm happy to chat about the Econ department, internships and business careers post-grad!

Favorite class or classes in major: Corporate Finance

Favorite class out of major: Race and Ethnic Group Relations

Contact: joeal@whitman.edu


Alexa Pilgrim outdoorsAlexa Pilgrim ’22 (she/her/hers)

Economics

Hi! I’m a senior Econ and History double major with specialty interests in microeconomics and behavioral economics. Outside of my majors I love taking Art History and English classes as well. I feel at home in the Economics department here at Whitman and would love to talk to anyone interested in the major!

Favorite class or classes in major: Behavioral Economics

Favorite class out of major: Museums and the Politics of Display

Contact: pilgriar@whitman.edu

Lauren Mendoza smiling with a slice of watermelonLauren Mendoza ’22 (she/her/hers)

Environmental Studies/Anthropology

I am from St. Paul, MN. I enjoy hiking, canoeing, running, and just being outside. I also love spending time with my family, traveling, and tacos.

Favorite class or classes in major: (ENVS) Regional Literature of Space: West and South

Favorite class out of major: Tropics of Disaster (HISP)

Contact: mendozle@whitman.edu


Keeli McKern ’23 (she/hers)

Art/Environmental Studies

My name is Keeli! I am a junior at Whitman College, and have lived in Walla Walla my whole life. I love to draw and see what I can make using old scraps of cloth and clothes.

Favorite class or classes in major: Intro to Environmental Studies

Favorite class out of major: Queer Desires

Contact: mckernk@whitman.edu


Frazer Moore looks down at a snake in his handFraser Moore ’23 (he/him/his)

Biology-Environmental Studies

I am an international student from South Africa. I am a passionate hiker, backpacker, fisherman, and bird watcher. I currently know a lot of cool facts about insects as I did research over the summer of ‘21 with Professor Heidi Dobson, the campus bee expert. Hot take #1: don’t kill yellowjacket wasps as there are actually three species in Walla Walla, two of which are native and you can’t tell them apart!

Favorite class or classes in major: Bio 112 or Intro to Environmental Studies

Favorite class out of major: Modern African History

Contact: moorefj@whitman.edu


Jenner SmithJenner Smith ’22 (she/her)

ES-Geology

I'm a senior at Whitman who hails from Lexington, Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. In addition to studying ES-Geology, I am well seasoned in the dance and classical studies departments here at Whitman. I love doing anything outdoors, as well as dancing, arts and crafts, and cooking.

Favorite class or classes in major: Geomorphology

Favorite class out of major: Women and Nature in the Ancient World

Contact: smithmj@whitman.edu


Portrait of Kendall GriffinKendall Griffin ’22 (she/her)

Environmental Studies - History

Hi! My name is Kendall and I am a current senior at Whitman College hailing from Sisters, Oregon. I am passionate about high desert ecology and exploring environmental topics through history. You can often find me in the Dance Studio taking classes for my dance minor. Some of my hobbies include painting, gardening, and collecting rocks.

Favorite class or classes in major: Terrestrial Environmental History

Favorite class out of major: Native American Literatures

Contact: griffikr@whitman.edu


Renny Acheson standing in a wheat fieldRenny Acheson ’22 (she/her/hers)

Politics-Environmental Studies

I'm an ES-Politics major originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I'm interested in environmental journalism, land conservation, and education. In my free time, I like to read, hike, dance, bike, and cook.

Favorite class or classes in major: Food, Culture, and Politics

Favorite class out of major: Case Studies in Applied Ethics

Contact: achesokb@whitman.edu


Daniel BloorDaniel Bloor ’23 (he/him)

Sociology - Environmental Studies

I am an Environmental Studies-Sociology major with a possible minor history from Southern California. I also am on the swim team here at Whitman! I decided to be an ES-Soc major because of how much I enjoyed Principles of Sociology and Environmental Geology courses.

Favorite class or classes in major: Environmental Methods of Analysis

Favorite class out of major: Introduction to Digital Media

Contact: bloordp@whitman.edu

Portrait of Matthew Conlin-ElsenMatthew Conlin-Elsen ’23 (he/him/his)

History/Revolutions, Wars, and Politics

I am a current junior here at Whitman. I am also a tour guide as well as an Opening Week Leader for incoming first years. I love the history department here at Whitman and I also love going with my friends to the library to both study and have fun! If you have any questions or just want to chat about history, let me know!

Favorite class or classes in major: Ancient Japanese History

Favorite class out of major: Photography

Contact: conlinms@whitman.edu

Portrait of Jasmine RazeghiJasmine Razeghi ’22 (she/her/hers or they/them/theirs)

Politics

I chose to be a politics major because it allows me the knowledge and skills to be able to advocate for change. It has challenged me to look at issues through a plethora of perspectives and strengthen my research skills. It is important to question structures of power and to consider who is benefiting from them.

Favorite class or classes in major: Art of Revolution

Favorite class out of major: Mahayana Buddhism

Contact: razeghj@whitman.edu


Chloe YoungChloe Young ’22 (she/her)

Politics

Hello! My name is Chloe, and I am a Politics and Chinese double major at Whitman College. Additionally, I am a member of the Whitman Women's Soccer team and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. In my free time, I enjoy reading and volunteering for local non-profits in Walla Walla. After Whitman, I plan to attend law school and pursue international business law.

Favorite class or classes in major: The Process of Decolonization

Favorite class out of major: Astronomy

Contact: youngcm@whitman.edu

Portrait of Michael ChangMichael Chang ’22 (he/him/his)

Psychology

I'm a senior Psychology major from Boise, ID. I'm involved with the swim team on campus as well as the Pan Asian Club. My main events in swimming are the butterfly and individual medley events.

Favorite class or classes in major: Intergroup Relations Seminar

Favorite class out of major: Bioethics

Contact: changmn@whitman.edu


Portrait of Shea TsuhaShea Tsuha ’23 (she/her/hers)

Psychology

TBA

Favorite class or classes in major: Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology

Favorite class out of major: Principles of Microeconomics

Contact: tsuhasl@whitman.edu

Portait of Devon PlayerDevon Player ’23 (she/her)

Sociology

I am a third year Sociology major (probably Race and Ethnic studies minor) from Snoqualmie, Washington. I'm really interested in community-based applications of sociology as well as the field of criminology. Some things on campus that I am involved in are Women of Color Voices, Black Student Union, and Z-Fit. I am also one of the co-leaders of the Career and Community Engagement Center's new community engagement program centered around food insecurity in the Walla Walla Valley. For fun, I like to paint, knit, and double dutch (though I am not very good at any of these things).

Favorite class or classes in major: Community-Based Sociology

Favorite class out of major: Problems with Privilege

Contact: playerde@whitman.edu


Kaia Roast outdoorsKaia Roast ’22 (she/her)

Sociology

My favorite thing is to be in the outdoors and around people I love. At Whitman I am involved in the improv team, the ultimate Frisbee team, the outdoor program, and I've just recently tried out sand volleyball. I fist came to Whitman thinking I'd major is psychology, but my first sociology class on gender in society changed my mind.

Favorite class or classes in major: Gender in Society

Favorite class out of major: Creative non-fiction

Contact: roastkl@whitman.edu

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