Whitman Students Share Their Stories & Advice
On the Whittie Wisdom blog, new and future students can get a firsthand take on college life at Whitman
By Pan Deines ’26
Whitman College is a place where students find community, explore new interests and experience top-tier academics. Being new to college is exciting, and our students rise to the challenge, showing their talent, dedication and kindness both in and out of the classroom.
On the Student Voices page, you can hear about the Whitman experience from the real experts: our students. From podcasts to TikTok takeovers to personal stories, our generous Whitties offer new and future students advice for their first year and beyond.
In the Whittie Wisdom blog, for example, Whitman students share their stories and tips about college life—from finding a sense of home as an international student to the best coffee shops in Walla Walla.
Check out these blog highlights from current students and recent grads sharing their Whitman experiences—in their own words.
You Belong Here
Whether they’re an international student from halfway across the world, a transfer student from another college or a first-year looking to find their people, Whitman builds tons of spaces where students can belong.
So Many Places
“When you think of belonging somewhere, it is commonly emphasized that you are part of one big thing. But at Whitman, I’ve found myself being part of so many different projects and groups that I’ve ended up belonging in places I’d never expected.” —Pendhay Yeshay ’28 on being broadly involved.
Friendship and adventure—better together. “From the moment I arrived on campus, I instantly connected with a lot of amazing people, many of whom shared my love for the outdoors.” —Arden Hunt ’25 (left) on her experience with Whitman’s Outdoor Program. Read Arden’s blog.
Come As You Are
“Another resource that helped my sense of belonging at Whitman was the LGBTQIA+ Student Services office … I especially love when they set up a table in the Reid Campus Center for awareness weeks, because there are tons of free stickers, pins and flags.” —Pan Deines ’26 on celebrating identity.
Find your team. “I realized that Whitman’s athletic culture isn’t just competitive; it’s about community and unconditional acceptance no matter your experience level.” —Patrick Mulikuza ’28 on playing with the Men’s Ultimate team. Read Patrick’s blog.
A Home Away From Home
Living on campus plays a huge role in student life at Whitman. From the residence halls to the Interest House Community to the events put on by groups across campus, there are lots of opportunities to join in.
A Washington Gem
“When I was applying to colleges, I knew I wanted to stay in-state since I’ve lived in Washington my whole life. I’m from Bothell, Washington, and it was hard for me to find the balance between staying close to home and gaining my independence. Whitman College became that perfect balance.” —Hana Nandawula-Bunnya ’28 on why she chose Whitman.
Found Family
“I enjoyed having mochi at the Japanese House, playing Filipino songs at the Asian Night Market, relishing in the Holi celebration, getting invited to eat at Asian Fusion with the Pan Asian Club and doing random karaoke nights with my friends.” —Gelic Gerona ’27 on embracing international student life.
Live-In Learning
“As a sophomore, I had the opportunity to live in Tekisuijuku, the Japanese language house. There, I built lifelong friendships—both inside the house and in the Japanese department—and helped organize meaningful events that brought diverse perspectives to campus.” —Ashtin Sampson ’25 on living in an Interest House.
Lock In Your Studies
From favorite study spots on campus to navigating schedule overload to finding fun in the face of midterms, these Whitties shared their tips for academic success.
Reaching New Heights
“Climbing Styx is a rite of passage for any Whittie, but the true test comes when you have to balance a laptop on his head.” —Zoe Perkins ’25 on finding unique study spots.
Challenge Yourself
“Most of my classes were not back-to-back, so I took advantage of the time before the next class to knock out a lot of homework.” —Carsten Wallace-Bailey ’25 on how to survive academic overload.
Learning How to Learn
“Midterms can be pretty intimidating, especially if you’re like me and didn’t have them in high school … I would never have expected to enjoy myself so much in a study group, but we even went and got soft serve from Reid Campus Center after we finished a late night of studying the stars.” —Pan Deines ’26 on taking their first midterm exam.
We Love Walla Walla
Walla Walla is a big-hearted small city packed with fun things to do! Looking for a place to start? Check out these Whitties’ favorite places to study and volunteer in the community.
Sharing stories and smiles. “Volunteering with and leading StoryTime has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my college experience. Through this program, I’ve not only met some of the sweetest kids but have seen my fellow Whitties find joy in these simple moments of giving back to the community.” —Mavie Pham ’25 on volunteering to read to kids in pre-K and elementary classrooms. Read Mavie’s blog.
The Perks of the Perfect College Town
“Coffee shops in downtown Walla Walla give a cozy small town vibe you’ve probably seen on TV. All of them are within walking distance from campus and each have their own little unique perk!” —Bertine Lakjohn ’23 on studying downtown, just steps away from Whitman’s campus.
Preparing for What’s Next
Whitman helps prepare students for future internships, volunteer opportunities, graduate school and careers. Whitties thrive when they embrace the liberal arts approach to learning and explore—widely and deeply—the topics that interest them.
Ready to launch. “I wasn’t sure if going to medical school was feasible if I went to a liberal arts school. However, I learned I would actually be considered a better candidate!” —Katie Jose ’23, on being pre-med at Whitman. Read Katie’s blog.
Career Coaches Have Your Back
“I started talking to the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) at Whitman before I even stepped foot on campus … Since then, I’ve had just about every type of appointment that the CCEC offers: resume reviews, mock interviews, fellowship and grant info sessions, and my personal favorite: ‘check-ins’ for when you want to talk to someone but you’re not sure what you need help with.” —Odin McDermott ’24 on Whitman’s strong career support services.
Discover your path. “What a relief to finally have an answer to the dreaded question: What are your plans after graduation? My Whitman journey has allowed me to explore my career path, taught me valuable knowledge that I continue to use daily, and connected me to a network of alumni who want to see me succeed!” —Tayva Anderson ’25 on discovering her career path at Whitman. Read Tayva’s blog.
About the Authors
Tayva Anderson ’25 is an alum from Colorado Springs, Colorado, who majored in Rhetoric, Writing and Public Discourse.
Pan Deines ’26 is an English major from Vashon, Washington.
Gelic Gerona ’27 is a Davis United World College (UWC) Scholar and Psychology major from the Philippines.
Arden Hunt ’25 is an alum from Bellingham, Washington who majored in Psychology.
Katie Jose ’23 is an alum from San Diego, California, with majors in Global Health and Hispanic Studies.
Bertine Lakjohn ’23 is an alum from the Marshall Islands with a major in Sociology-Environmental Studies.
Odin McDermott ’24 is a Sociology and Rhetoric, Writing and Public Discourse double major from Kailua, Hawai‘i.
Patrick Mulikuza ’28 is a Davis UWC Scholar from the Democratic Republic of the Congo interested in Physics and Engineering.
Hana Nandawula-Bunnya ’28 is sophomore from Bothell, Washington, interested in Computer Science and Engineering.
Zoe Perkins ’25 is an alum from Hillsboro, Oregon, with a major in Rhetoric, Writing and Public Discourse.
Mavie Pham ’25 is an alum from Hanoi, Vietnam, who majored in Sociology .
Ashtin Sampson ’25 is an alum from Los Angeles, California, with a major in History.
Carsten Wallace-Bailey ’25 is an alum from Walla Walla, Washington, with majors in Psychology and Film and Media Studies.
Pendhay Yeshay ’28 is a sophomore from Bhutan who is interested in Economics and Environmental Studies.