Alumnae Spotlights
Emily Cheesman | SFS ’25
Emily Cheesman
Line: Bell Hooks
Major: International Politics
What are you currently doing in life? An internship at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
What is your favorite part about your current endeavors? The independence! My boss rarely checks in so I have a lot of freedom with my research.
Favorite DPE memory? My senior year Georgetown day!
How did DPE help you after graduation? Moving to the west coast was really scary but I had a great friend I met through dpe, our president my sophomore year, who’s been so supportive and kind from SF even though she’s so busy.
Tips for current sisters and/or recent graduates: Don’t let anyone tell you you’re behind schedule! either work wise or socially – you have you’re entire life ahead of you and you should take things at your own pace
Fun fact: I’m a dedicated cinephile (not in a creepy film bro way)! Follow me on letterboxd @emilykcheesman :)
Final wise words: S/O lgbtqs of dpe!
Katie Watke | CAS ’22
Katie Watke
Line: Chanel Miller
Major: Chinese, Justice & Peace Studies
What are you currently doing in life? I am an ESL teacher at a primary school in Shenzhen, China.
What is your favorite part about your current endeavors? I absolutely adore my students. They are all smart and very energetic, so no two days are the same. It feels like I’m constantly on one great adventure!
Favorite DPE memory? At the start of 2021, I was recruitment chair, and we had all just wrapped up Decision’s Brunch. It was such a long meeting that afterward me and my lovely Delta Mom, Amritha Ramalingam (the loml), decided the only thing left to do was prank call our new deltas. We told them that there was an urgent problem with their application and that they needed to resolve it asap. When they called us back, we then surprised them with the news and welcomed them to the sorority. It was the first time I got to talk with them all as new sisters, and I’ll never forget all the laughter and love I was lucky enough to share with them that day.
How did DPE help you after graduation? The friends and sisters I’ve found in DPE have continued to be an incredible source of support and cheer since I’ve moved to China. Sisters who moved abroad at the same time as me would reach out just to check in and offer advice when needed.
Tips for current sisters and/or recent graduates: Have confidence in yourself! When it comes to building your network or getting what you want from your professional life, be brave.
Fun fact: I’ve wanted to live and work in China since I was eight years old, so I am simultaneously gobsmacked and over the moon that I actually did it. Follow your dreams loves <3
Final wise words: I’ve been missing this community so much since I graduated. So seniors, my advice to you is to go hug your sisters just a little bit tighter these next coming months <3
Alexis Nguyen | CAS ’25
Alexis Nguyen
Line: Serenas
Major: Sociology & English
What are you currently doing in life? 1L at Emory Law
What is your favorite part about your current endeavors? I’m learning a lot, and I’m a first-generation graduate student so everything is super new and exciting. Also I’m very privileged to get to live in so many new places at such a young age!
Favorite DPE memory? Every time I met a sister that became a friend, but especially meeting my best friend Ava!
How did DPE help you after graduation? I have so many connections in my field but also people that I can reach out to in any corner of the world which is such an amazing thing to have.
Tips for current sisters and/or recent graduates: Chill out, enjoy life, and make sure you have time for your own hobbies. If you have a job, make sure it’s just a job and not your life. If you’re in graduate/professional school, treat school like a job and know when your personal life should take priority. If you’re still figuring things out, that’s okay! Learn to love the present moment, no matter how it looks or feels.
Fun fact: I used to write fanfiction and it lowkey helped me get into Georgetown 😛
