Celia Doherty
Linguistics
Washington, D.C.
What was your favorite class and why?
My favorite class was my 9 a.m. Arabic class during my junior spring. There were only three students in the class and it quickly became the reason I looked forward to waking up early. Professor Alkasseer’s favorite way to engage us was through acting out different scenarios from characters in our textbook. At first, I was shy and worried about looking and sounding ridiculous. However, these activities pushed me to grow more comfortable laughing at myself and speaking in Arabic more fluently, without worrying about getting every word correct. At the end of the semester, Professor Alkasseer opened her home and kitchen to her students and I ate the most delicious kibbeh and tabbouleh I've ever tasted.
What is your main extracurricular activity and why is it important to you?
I’ve played for the women’s Ultimate Frisbee team for the past four years and served as captain for two years. We just qualified for nationals for the first time since 2019, which has been a goal of mine since I was a freshman. My time in the program has shaped me tremendously as a player and a person. Cornell Ultimate has introduced me to my closest friends and pushed me to grow as a teammate and a leader. Every time I go to practice, I forget about any academic stressors and get to work hard in a different way. Most of my favorite memories from college are the time I spend with my teammates and I feel deeply grateful to be a part of this community on campus, which I know will extend beyond my graduation.
What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Arts & Sciences education?
My Arts & Sciences education taught me that I don’t need to have complete and perfect knowledge of a topic to engage in a discussion about it. Entering college, I put pressure on myself to have all the answers before I felt qualified to speak. I’ve learned that no one has all the answers, and the smartest people I meet are those who can recognize their gaps in knowledge and then ask good questions.
What have you accomplished as a Cornell student that you are most proud of?
I am proudest of my research for my Geospatial Information System class, where I produced a final project mapping the humanitarian impact of the Wagner Group’s arrival in Mali. I later developed my project into a publication for the Cornell Policy Review on negotiation with jihadists in Mali. In April, I had the opportunity to present my research on a panel for the inaugural Cornell Policy Review Symposium. These experiences allowed me to integrate my interests in language and propaganda, governance and technology.
Who or what influenced your Cornell education the most?
The Catholic Studies Fellowship program profoundly influenced my education by providing a framework for applying my knowledge. Engaging with Catholic intellectual, historical and cultural traditions alongside thoughtful peers created a community I didn't realize I needed. We explored works from Aristotle to Flannery O'Connor and even met with the Cornell University architect to discuss sacred space. These seminars encouraged me to consider why pursuing knowledge and virtue matters, and how to extend this pursuit beyond Cornell.
Every year, our faculty nominate graduating Arts & Sciences students to be featured as part of our Extraordinary Journeys series.Read more about the Class of 2025.
