Alumni Spotlight:

What I Do Now: I recently joined the business and finance team at the Beckman Institute, an interdisciplinary research center at the University of Illinois focused on intelligent systems, integrative imaging and molecular science and engineering. As a post-award specialist, I collaborate with faculty members to manage their grants and funds from sponsors, including the National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, and Department of Defense.

A few notable projects conducted by faculty I work with include Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO), a National Institutes of Health (NIH) study exploring how early environmental exposures affect child health and development, and Rapid Extrusion of Composite Mega-Structure for Space (REMS2), a Department of Defense (DOD)-funded project investigating the development of advanced in-space manufacturing technology. This role relies heavily on my accounting major and prior work experience as a tax/accounting associate to ensure compliance, timeliness and excellent customer service.

How the Hartwick Experience Impacted My Professional Life: My first full-time job after graduating from Hartwick was as a tax/accounting associate at Farm Credit East (FCE), Agricultural Credit Association (ACA) in Geneva, N.Y. I was offered this position after completing a summer internship with FCE, which I found through the Internship and Career Fair. I would like to give a shoutout to both Professor Carli Ficano and fellow Hartwick alum and John Christopher Hartwick Scholar Mike Reynolds ‘90 (the CEO of FCE) for encouraging me to apply and for making me aware of the amazing opportunities at FCE. I’d also like to note that my experience with the Hartwick College Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project and upper-level accounting courses with Professor Li Luo were fundamental building blocks for the beginning of my career in accounting and tax.

Despite enjoying my life in the Finger Lakes region of New York, my time at Hartwick instilled in me a desire to travel and live abroad for an extended period. Even after taking advantage of a J Term in China, the Baker-Simpson Entrepreneurial Fellowship in San Francisco, and a full semester (well, sort of a half-semester due to the COVID pandemic) in Florence, Italy, I still wanted more international experience. Thus, I embarked on a two-year adventure in Copenhagen, Denmark, where I studied business and organizational anthropology at the University of Copenhagen. I had a wonderful time in Denmark and learned a lot in my program, including how to conduct anthropological fieldwork. My fieldwork focused on how a small professional choir created experiences for its audiences and is titled “The Power of the Voice: Storytelling in the Creation and Experience of Danish Vocal Concerts.”

During my time in Copenhagen, I also traveled around Europe, played in an incredible student orchestra called SymfUni, learned the Danish language, and tried to experience as much of the Danish culinary, musical and cultural scenes as possible. After defending my thesis, I packed
up and moved back to the United States for a new adventure. Following my partner, a faculty member at the University of Illinois, I moved to Champaign, Ill., in August 2025 and subsequently started work at the Beckman Institute.

But don’t worry, I’m continuing to explore the world! This year, I will be traveling with my mother, Susan Marteney ’79 P’21, to Istanbul and Egypt in celebration of her 70th birthday.

Challenges in the Field: In the grants field, as in the tax world, policies, regulations and funding priorities are constantly changing. Right now, research grants are particularly volatile due to shifts in U.S. politics and federal funding priorities. This means I have to stay up to date on new regulations, sponsor requirements and institutional policies in order to remain compliant and accurate in my work. It also requires clear communication with the faculty members I support so they can focus on their research while I help navigate the administrative and financial side of their projects.

My Favorite Aspect of My Career: You may be wondering: how does anthropology tie into this current position? One thing I love about my role is that I get to be part of a very diverse, international community at the University of Illinois. It’s incredibly fulfilling to collaborate with faculty and students—from all walks of life—who are deeply passionate about their research. My time abroad, as well as my studies in anthropology, inform how I interact with people on an everyday basis. From a business and organizational anthropology perspective, I also find it fascinating to observe how a large and complex institution like the University of Illinois operates. Although some people might not expect it, Champaign-Urbana is a vibrant college town in central Illinois. One thing I have always appreciated about college towns—whether in Champaign-Urbana or Oneonta—is that even in a relatively small place, you benefit from a supportive and engaging community. There are many opportunities to experience the arts and cultural activities, and to interact with a wide range of intelligent, curious, and open-minded
people.

My Advice for Current Students: Take advantage of what Hartwick has to offer. Foster connections with faculty, staff, alumni and fellow students. Apply for fellowships, scholarships and programs. Work on campus or pursue an internship. Get involved with student clubs and organizations. Study abroad during J Term or for a full semester. All of these experiences will help you figure out who you are, what you enjoy and what you don’t.

Although Hartwick is a small place, there are abundant opportunities to learn and grow. My involvement with Hartwick Admissions as a Blue Key tour guide, my role as a student leader in the Student Government Association, and my experiences studying away from Oyaron Hill
helped me develop key skills in communication, collaboration and an independent spirit—qualities that I have continued to draw on throughout graduate school and my career.

Last but not least, don’t forget about Hartwick after you graduate. Stay connected with your professors, friends and the campus community. I do this by hosting an annual reunion with my College roommates and serving on the Hartwick College Alumni Board. Over the past few years, these experiences have helped me keep my ties to Hartwick strong and give back to the community that shaped so much of my journey.