Everything Intersects
Student Snapshot: Audrey Herman ’26
“Everything intersects,” says Audrey Herman ’26, (political science; Spanish; Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean studies), who finds interesting connections between her majors. Outside of class Audrey enjoys building sets for the theatre department and serving as president of Dickinson College Democrats. After studying abroad in Argentina, where she taught underserved children, she’s has conducted student-faculty research as a Dana Research Assistant.
Hometown:
Titusville, Pa.
High school:
Titusville Senior High School.
Majors:
Political science, Spanish and Latin American, Latinx & Caribbean Studies (LALC).
Best thing about my Dickinson experience:
Dickinson’s liberal-arts education allows me to combine all my interests in creative and interesting ways. I’ve crocheted wedding veils for Spanish class, discussed the Latino vote in my political science classes, and even done a project on the science of making macarons in my chemistry class. Everything intersects!
Best thing about my major:
The political science department has brilliant professors. The Spanish department offers so many opportunities for experiential learning outside of class to help you practice your skills. And the sense of community within the LALC department is unrivaled, in my opinion.
Favorite class:
By far, Comparative Political Corruption with Professor of Asian Law & Society Neil Diamant. I never thought it was possible to look forward to a three-hour class, but this class made it possible. I learned so much about different types of corruption across the world and wrote a paper on corruption within the Kirschner administrations in Argentina (which would prove incredibly helpful when I studied abroad there the following semester).
Favorite professor:
I feel immensely grateful to Associate Professor of Spanish & Portuguese Carolina Castellanos Gonella, who has witnessed me blossom on an academic and a personal level. She has stood by me from the moment I decided to declare a Spanish major to now, as I prepare to present my honors thesis in LALC at a conference at Penn State University. She’s supportive and smart and funny, too!
On studying abroad:
This past spring, I studied abroad in Mendoza, Argentina, where I took courses at a local university and made lasting friendships with locals. I also went up in a hot-air balloon, learned traditional folk dances and ate way too many alfajores. Being immersed in a Spanish-speaking environment strengthened my commitment to cross-cultural engagement and deepened my passion for bridging language and cultural divides.
About my internship:
During my time abroad, I worked for the human-development office of the Municipality of Maipú. I designed and taught weekly English classes to underserved children, which taught me a lot about being adaptable. I also processed onboarding paperwork for social-benefit programs and learned a lot about the inner workings of local government in Argentina.
About my research:
I am currently a Dana Research Assistant for Professor of Music Amy Wlodarski. I primarily translate Spanish documents regarding the first Latin American production of Viktor Ullman’s Holocaust opera, Der Kaiser von Atlantis. I’ve learned a lot about resistance narratives, Holocaust remembrance and the Uruguayan dictatorship. It’s been the perfect way to draw from knowledge across all my majors.
I'd be remiss if I didn’t mention my honors thesis on women’s representation in [the work of] Argentinian comic El Eternauta compared to its 2025 Netflix adaptation of the same name. I’ve learned so much about Argentinian notions of the collective, the history of comics, and El Eternauta’s resonance in popular culture.
Post-Dickinson plans:
After graduation, I plan to return to Latin America in some capacity, whether I‘m teaching English as a second language or working with NGOs in the region. Longterm, I want to use my Spanish-language skills for social impact, whether that be in the nonprofit sector, politics or government.
Proudest accomplishment so far:
I am proud to be the president of the Dickinson College Democrats. During my time with the organization, I’ve staffed a presidential campaign rally, organized a dinner fundraiser attended by PA Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and created a strong relationship with the Carlisle Area Democratic Committee.
About my campus job:
A special shout-out goes to the theater & dance department’s Scene Shop. I’ve been employed there during the past three years, building sets for department productions. Working with my hands really helps me unwind, and it doesn’t hurt that I also have the best boss ever; Jason Nedrow is the reason I know a wrench from a screwdriver.
Clubs and organizations:
Dickinson College Democrats (president), LALC department (student-assistant), Norman M. Eberly Multilingual Writing Center (Spanish tutor) and Scene Shop (student-assistant).
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Provost Scholarship, Alpha Lambda Delta and Pi Sigma Alpha.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
Building community is a process, so keep trying and keep putting yourself out there. You won’t regret it.
Read more Student Snapshots.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published April 24, 2026