What’s Next for Reagan Reiferson ’26

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
September 25, 2026

Reagan Reiferson '26

Major: Business administration
Minors: Data science and creative writing
Hometown: Richmond, Virginia

What are your post-graduation plans?

I will be working for Hillbrook Collections as a design and project coordinator in Austin, Texas.

What are some skills or lessons you will take from your academic experience into the professional world?

One of the biggest skills I developed at W&L was learning how to stay organized and manage competing priorities. Being organized was crucial to balancing classes, extracurriculars and relationships without becoming overwhelmed. I also think W&L's small classroom environment taught me the importance of relationship building and taking the time to genuinely get to know people.

How did your career plans evolve throughout your time at W&L? Did you always know what you wanted to do?

My career plans changed constantly throughout my time at W&L. I came into college with very little idea of what I wanted to do professionally, or even what I wanted to major in. I ultimately chose the business major because it was practical, flexible and applicable to a wide range of careers, while still giving me the opportunity to explore interests outside of the major. Looking back, many of the classes that shaped me the most were actually outside of business and helped me realize that I enjoy work that combines creativity, collaboration and problem-solving.

What was your favorite class? And is there one class that ended up changing your perspective or that really surprised you?

My favorite class that I took was probably Professor Chris Gavaler's Advanced Creative Writing for Fiction. During the Winter Term of my sophomore year, I took two English classes, Introduction to Film and Literature and Film of the American West, which really reinforced my love for literature and encouraged me to pursue classes where I could explore my creativity through writing.

Which faculty or staff member had the most impact on you, and what did you learn from them (either inside or outside the classroom)?

There are so many faculty and staff members who have had an impact on me. My creative writing adviser, Kary Smout, has always encouraged me to seek out classes, and ultimately a career, that genuinely excites me, while also always being open to new adventures. Brandi Jane Wedgeworth-Graham is another professor I have really looked up to since taking her Accounting 100 class. It has been very cool to see how successful she has been as an alumna, and it gave me a lot of hope for my own future. She also cares deeply about her students and demonstrates the importance of building strong relationships within the W&L community.

What were some key organizations/clubs/activities you were involved in at W&L, and how did they shape your W&L experience?

My sorority, the Outing Club and the General Repairs Club are all organizations that made my W&L experience such a positive one and so hard to leave behind. Both my sorority and the Outing Club were great avenues for making friends, and they are where many of my strongest relationships came from. General Repairs, a club that works with Habitat for Humanity in Rockbridge County, was probably the most rewarding and influential group I was a part of. At our end-of-year dinner, one of the volunteers, a VMI graduate, reminded us that giving without the expectation of receiving is one of the greatest joys in life. His words really stuck with me, and the lessons I learned at the repairs and builds, and those at Habitat, are ones I hope stay with me post grad.

What internships or other summer experiences did you partake in, and how did those experiences shape you and your career plans?

I spent two summers working in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at a country club called Shooting Star as a hostess and busser, and I also worked as a talent management intern at Vinson & Elkins in Washington, D.C. While my future career does not have a ton of overlap with either experience, both helped me better understand what I do and do not want in a career. I think those experiences made me realize that I wanted to pursue something more creative and a job where no two days look exactly the same.

How did the Office of Career and Professional Development support you, and which resources did you find most helpful?

I actually found out about the job posting at Hillbrook through the CPD. Their job postings were extremely helpful throughout my senior year while I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do after graduation. I also really enjoyed working with the Career Fellows and found it helpful to work with peers who were going through similar application and interview processes.

Did you connect with alumni during your time at W&L? How did they help you on your path?

Yes! The alumni network at W&L is truly amazing. When I reached out to Shooting Star about their application process, the head of HR who responded was an alum. Stacy Sims (Class of 1998) was also a wonderful contact and very helpful during my internship at Vinson & Elkins. My post-grad job actually came through an alumni connection as well. All of that really showed me that the W&L alumni network is second to none.

What's been one of your favorite experiences over the last four years?

There are honestly too many to choose from. As I have been reflecting on my last four years, I think some of my favorite memories are the small, everyday moments on campus; walking into Coop and ending up having a spontaneous lunch with friends, bonding with classmates over practice problems during office hours or always seeing familiar faces during passing periods. Those are the moments I will miss the most, and I think they really show how special the W&L community is.

What's your proudest accomplishment?

As simple as it sounds, I would say graduating from W&L is my greatest accomplishment. It has been such an honor to spend four years here, and being able to call myself an alumna is something I am really proud of.

How has studying the liberal arts at W&L shaped how you see the world?

A liberal arts education pushed me to explore subjects and perspectives that I would not have encountered otherwise. Some of the classes that shaped me most had little connection to my major, but they challenged me to remain curious about the world around me.

What advice would you give to next year's graduating class?

As cliché as it sounds, my biggest advice would be to really try to be present while you are in college. People constantly tell you how quickly these four years go by, and it truly does not fully hit you until senior year. Toward the end of college, I started making a more intentional effort to appreciate the smaller moments in everyday life, and it always made my day better and love W&L and the community here even more