Psychology major Caroline Mehner ‘25 says her transition from Hillyer College to the College of Arts and Sciences was flawless. “I was able to complete all of the requirements I needed in Hillyer to transfer into A&S,” she says. “And the courses prepared me so well, that now going into my senior year, I only need 24 credits to complete my bachelor’s degree.”
This fall, Caroline is studying abroad at American College of Greece in Athens. “I’m incredibly excited about this experience, and I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to spend time in another country and learn more about other cultures, their traditions and history.”
It won’t be the first time Caroline has studied beyond UHart to complete her degree. As part of the Hillyer Honors program, Caroline participated in the annual Hillyer Winterterm course at the University of Hawaii in her sophomore year. “I loved being a part of the Hillyer Honors program,” she says. “It was truly life changing and it gave me a chance to travel and learn about a new culture and the history of the islands. It was one of the most exciting, incredible experiences I have ever had!”
Caroline says she chose to start her academic journey in Hillyer due to the smaller class sizes and closer relationships with professors. “I went to an incredibly small high school with a graduating class of 35, so I craved the closeness of a stable community,” she says. “Attending Hillyer gave me the ability to have the support I needed to successfully acclimate to college life, providing the support and resources I needed to be a good student. I had struggled with my grades previously in high school, but being in Hillyer gave me the drive and motivation to become an honors student.”
Caroline says Hillyer’s courses are challenging, informative, and that the professors work tirelessly to support their students in any way they can. “I was so impressed by how much faculty cared about me and my fellow classmates,” she says. “I still sit down with my former professors and have hour-long conversations to discuss not only academics, but how I am doing in my personal life.” She points out that her favorite thing about UHart is connections she has made and that her professors have cared about her and educational pursuits.
Outside of course work, Caroline served on the executive board as social media chair for Women for Change and has been an active participant in Hillel since her first year. “I love the community that is fostered there, and even though I am not Jewish, I have always been accepted as a part of the family, meeting weekly for events such as Shabbat dinners, and just doing other general housekeeping activities, especially over the last year since I did my work-study for them.”
Caroline’s advice for first-year students is to remember that everyone is new to campus and that joining clubs and getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to meet new people and make friends. “I have had a wonderful time the last three years and I’ve learned so much about myself. I have grown more than I could’ve ever expected.”
Caroline Mehner ’25, Hillyer College“Attending Hillyer gave me the ability to have the support I needed to successfully acclimate to college life, providing the support and resources I needed to be a good student.