In the late spring of an academic year, one might expect there to be a sense of nervousness among soon-to-be college graduates, who in just a matter of weeks will begin their lives after college. Yet, at Lander University’s recent senior picnic, there was nothing but confidence among the future Lander alumni, who were all proud to say they are ready for the workplace and the world.
One example is Keegan Finnerty, an environmental science and biology double major who will leave Lander with a career opportunity already lined up, and plans to pursue graduate school in the near future. Finnerty recently accepted a position at St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. After some time away from academics, he will begin applying to graduate programs.
Finnerty credits the Honors College, as well as Dr. Emily Prince and Prof. Lisa McDonald, for providing mentorship and enriching educational experiences. Finnerty also completed a summer internship with the Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit at UC Davis, one of the universities he is considering for graduate school.
Ansley James is also graduating with her first career ahead of her. A communication major at Lander with minors in public relations and entrepreneurship, James will serve as a marketing and recruitment associate for Vinea Capital, a private equity firm in Augusta, Georgia, where she first interned in the summers while a student at Lander. She says those career-oriented experiences, coupled with her career-focused courses in public relations, were rewarding components of her education.
Internships were also a big part of Sanaa Skeete’s Lander education. A graphic design major, Skeete interned with the Office of University Marketing and Communications, where she developed a deep understanding of brand identity that complimented her design courses at Lander.
“My time here at Lander was the best four years of my life,” Skeete said.
Some of Skeete’s work will be on display at the upcoming Bachelor of Design (B.Des.) Exhibit, on display in the Lander Art Gallery inside the Jackson Library April 20 to May 6. One of Skeete’s favorite projects was her logo and branding project, titled “Brioche & Butter,” which won second place in the 2026 Juried Art Exhibition earlier this semester.
And for some seniors, Lander was the appropriate steppingstone for greater academic pursuits. This is the case for Zoe El-Amin, a human services major whose next step will be to pursue a Master of Social Work degree program. At time of writing, El-Amin has submitted her applications and is awaiting acceptance. However, she noted that she is confident in her preparation for graduate school, thanks to Lander professors Michelle Scott and Dr. Jeremy Olson, among others.
Faculty mentorship was also important to Hannah Lovett, a professional writing major with minors in business and public relations. She said Dr. Sean Barnette’s courses in linguistics and grammar helped her to refine her own personal approach to writing – something that she says is important to her as she looks to pursue careers in communications, marketing and journalism.
Lovett also praised the wealth of opportunities she had at Lander, which have also prepared her to enter her next chapter in life. “I have had the opportunity to study abroad, work for the Lander University Writing Lab and intern with the Office of University Marketing and Communications,” she said. “My time at Lander University has been so influential and educational.”
Senior Picnic 2026 by University Marketing & Communications