Adaeze Okoli

Adaeze Okoli graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2016 and now serves as the Chief of Staff for Rethink Food. "I graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in Economics and a minor in International Development. During undergrad, my time as a research assistant for Professor Trevon Logan sparked a curiosity about research and the potential of economics as a tool for social change — a thread that has run through my career ever since. After graduation, I put that curiosity to work as a research analyst at the Urban Institute, a Washington, DC think tank focused on social and economic policy. A few years later, I returned to school and earned a joint MBA/MPP from Harvard University in 2023. Today, I help lead Rethink Food, a nonprofit working to improve food access by leveraging the restaurant community in New York City. Looking back, my time at Ohio State as an honors student laid the foundation for all of it. The smaller class sizes gave me real opportunities to connect with professors and peers in ways that shaped how I think and work. I didn't know then where my path would lead, but my advice to current students and recent graduates is simple: follow your curiosities and learn everything you can along the way."
 

Dr. David Danesh

Dr. David Danesh graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2016 and now works as a Pediatric Dentist at Nationwide Children's Hospital. "As a pediatric dentist at Nationwide Children's Hospital, I am treating patients from all backgrounds. My ASC Honors experience through courses, research, and extracurricular activities provided me with the perspective and skills to best care for my patients. Through my classes, especially my GE courses, I learned about people, humanity, and world cultures. I took a memorable theatre course, where I read plays from different countries and even participated in a staged reading at the old Drake Performance and Event Center (my mom and dad came to watch). As a non-theatre person who was laser-focused on surviving my pre-dentistry courses, it was so cool for me to break out of my bubble. ASC honors instilled in me a sense of intellectual curiosity. Participating in stimulating class discussions and reading eye-opening books guided by my professors grew my academic and personal development that helps. My advice to all undergraduates is to take in all that you can from your courses because you will learn about the world in unexpected ways. I think that's cool! My technical writing GE course gave me a 'nuts and bolts' foundation for CVs, resumes, and scientific writing. After taking technical writing, I felt empowered and motivated to seek out undergraduate research experiences at Ohio State. I was so fortunate to have fantastic mentors, such as Dr. Amy Ferketich at the College of Public Health, help me to synthesize what I learned in my courses to apply to research. I use my experiences now when I am reading the latest research in pediatric dentistry and serving as a reviewer on journals. ASC Honors gave me a well-rounded foundation to succeed in dental school, my pediatric dentistry residency training, and now in practice as a pediatric dentist." Anecdote was collected in Spring of 2026.

Ellie Montenegro

Ellie Montenegro graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2018 and now is a Mental Health Therapist. "My post-graduate journey was definitely different from what I originally envisioned, but ASC Honors prepared me to embrace the challenge and follow what interests me! I started college with plans for a psychology degree, a PhD program, and a future in behavioral economics. I did get the psych degree, but the similarities end there. Since graduating, I've worked as a fashion merchandiser, a customer researcher, and an employee support group leader. Then in 2022, I took a chance (and a hard pivot!) and enrolled in a mental health counseling grad school program. Now I'm a therapist specializing in neurodivergence, OCD, and complex trauma, and I feel like I've finally found my fit. Outside the counseling space, I'm also an aerialist, an avid cross-stitcher, and a day-of wedding coordinator (because non-work passions are just as important!). If there's one thing I've learned in this adventure, it's to chase your curiosities; you'll never be disappointed with where you land." Anecdote was collected in Spring of 2026.

AJ Arch

AJ Arch graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2021 and now is a internal medicine resident. "I look back on my time at The Ohio State University fondly, where I established my career in medicine with research projects and volunteering at the Wexner medical center. The honors program assisted with more intimate class sizes and faculty relationships that helped build my resume into something I was proud of. All this with the backdrop of the beautiful campus, new friends, and buckeye football made those years some I will never forget! I truly think my time at Ohio State helped me achieve my goals in a way other places couldn't. I recently completed medical school at University of Toledo, where I graduated last spring of 2025. I am now happily training at the University of Kentucky for my residency in internal medicine. Outside of my career, I stay creative working with music on personal projects and others with friends. I also am an avid golfer and soccer player. Although I am in Kentucky now, I forever will be a buckeye first!" Anecdote was collected in Spring of 2026.
 

Anna Taylor

Anna Taylor graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2021 and now is a Doctoral Researcher in audio and security biometrics. "After graduating from Ohio State (during the pandemic), I took study abroad to the extreme (something I had planned for March 2020, but unfortunately, never happened). I've lived in France, Germany, and Malta over the past couple years and it's been an experience I cannot recommend highly enough. The research habits I learned at Ohio State led me to an Erasmus Mundus double master's program and now a fully-funded PhD program. I'm currently working on speech deepfake detection; coming from my background in linguistics and speech/hearing science, it's the most impactful and beneficial application of my interests and skills that I could have imagined. I now live between the sea and the mountains in the beautiful French Riviera/Côte d'Azur with my girlfriend, a life I hadn't dared to dream of as a freshman at Ohio State taking introductory French classes and thinking about coming out to my closest friends and roommate. From baking in the basement kitchen at Smith-Steeb Hall to translating a recipe from a Spanish abuela and chasing down Russian smetana to make birthday cakes for my new friends exactly the same way their own families did, I think my hobbies have evolved with my surroundings. The best advice I can give would be to enjoy this journey of finding family in strangers, beauty in adversity, and a new piece of yourself in every corner of the world." Anecdote was collected in Spring of 2026.
 

Andrew Wong

Andrew Wong graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2024 and now is a law student at the University of Cincinnati College of Law, planning to graduate in 2027. "As a law student at UC, I completed numerous internships exploring my interests in the law, such as spending the summer as a legal intern at Procter & Gamble and working as a judicial extern last fall at the Dispute Resolution section at the Supreme Court of Ohio. When I was at Ohio State, I was a Political Science and Psychology major on the pre-law track. I was also the president of the Hong Kong Student Association and a panelist on the Committee on Academic Misconduct. I took advantage of the many languages courses Ohio State had to offer and took two semesters of Spanish and Korean respectively. Prior to my graduation, I completed a Honors Thesis project and study abroad during spring break in the United Kingdom as well. My advice for undergrads is to take full advantage of the resources Ohio State has to offer because you never know how these resources can help you succeed." Anecdote was collected in Spring of 2026.

Sanjana Ranade

Sanjana Ranade is a May 2024 graduate of ASC Honors with Honors Research Distinction in Neuroscience and double majors in Neuroscience and Spanish. Upon graduating, Sanjana served as a Fulbright Scholar in La Rioja, Spain during the 2024-2025 academic year. While in Spain, she had the opportunity to build upon her ASC Honors study abroad experiences in Valencia and London by exploring new cities and engaging in intercultural exchange. Sanjana is currently a student at the Yale School of Public Health, where she is concentrating in Chronic Disease Epidemiology with interests in pharmaceutical development, women's health, and clinical trials. She feels that Ohio State and the ASC Honors program enriched her educational journey with unique opportunities, meaningful mentorship, and impactful memories that continue to inspire and motivate her. Her advice to undergrads is to seek out opportunities for growth and find connections that are fulfilling. In her free time, Sanjana enjoys traveling, writing, and continuous learning. Anecdote was collected in Spring of 2026.

Morgan Kaiser

Morgan Kaiser graduated from the ASC Honors program in 2025 and now a PCA at the James Cancer Hospital, and will be attending medical school in the fall. "I graduated from Ohio State Summa Cum Laude with Honors Distinction in ASC in December 2025 with my BS in neuroscience. I am currently working as a Patient Care Associate at the James Cancer Hospital, and am SO excited to be attending medical school this fall to pursue my dream of becoming a physician! As an Honors Peer Mentor for 3 years during my undergraduate career, the ASC Honors program was a huge part of my time at Ohio State. The resources, advisors, and my peers were the BEST! My advice for undergrads is to say “yes.” Some of my favorite memories as a Buckeye are experiences I never would have dreamed of. From being on the 2025 Homecoming Court, to joining my sorority, running the annual Blood Battle, and countless research opportunities, Ohio State has provided me the most incredible experiences with the most incredible people. I am so grateful to be a Buckeye. Go Bucks!" Anecdote was collected in Spring 2026.