New Faces in the College

As Autumn Quarter begins, new first-year and transfer students in the College are excited to begin their intellectual journeys and become part of the UChicago community. From rural areas and big cities across the U.S., these new students bring diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to UChicago—from starting a clothing business to launching a politically-focused nonprofit.

We sat down with six of these students to learn more about their interests, what brought them to Hyde Park and the experiences they’re looking forward to while on campus. 

Summer Storm Alberta 

Summer Storm Alberta grew up in California, outside of Yosemite National Park. Admittedly, she chose UChicago because it was so different from where she grew up.

“I went through school feeling like almost half the people in my class were my cousins, and the other half I'd known since preschool,” said Alberta, who graduated with about 20 other students. “I’m not afraid to try new things, and coming to Chicago gave me a chance to do that in a big city.”

Storm values the experiences and lessons from growing up in a small, close-knit mountain town—learning skills (like hauling and setting 20-foot pipes for her parents’ well-drilling business, or making her own boba tea when there weren’t any shops nearby) and connecting with her community. A member of the Chukchansi Indian tribe, Storm took classes in her native language as a high school course and incorporated native design into jewelry and dress-making—both for class and beyond. 

She started her own business—Summer Storm, Sewn with Love—after realizing that a lot of clothes just don’t fit women’s bodies. Alberta, who is 5-foot-10, could never find a pair of pants that fit her right.

“I started going to thrift stores and would alter the pants myself, and that turned into me altering all different types of clothes for myself and my friends,” said Alberta. “It is not only a great way to express my creativity, but I also started to add some of my native heritage and traditions into my clothes too, but more in a modern way.”

She has already gone thrift store shopping with a few of her women’s volleyball teammates in Chicago, and is eager to begin her academic journey.

“I really wanted a school that was going to give me a good education,” said Alberta. “I have a lot of different interests, so being able to explore all of those with the Core Curriculum is something I love about UChicago.”

Caroline Hodge 

Caroline Hodge is from a small town in central Indiana, graduating from South Putnam High School in a class of 83 students. She participated in 4H, Future Farmers of America and is a self-proclaimed cat person (she has four of them, in addition to a dog).

She first learned about UChicago when her history teacher received an email promoting a summer program for high school students hosted by Parrhesia, which focuses on helping students engage in civic dialogue in ways that are generative and productive. The free program sounded interesting, and provided her with a unique opportunity to learn about UChicago over the summer.

“I was seeking tools to bridge the gaps that have been created across communities, and this program helped me understand that our differences don't define us,” said Hodge. “I was able to bring that knowledge back to my community and my school—and the skills I learned, including how to foster a safe, discursive space helped me connect with people in a different way.”

Not expecting to feel at home in a big city, Hodge fell in love with the campus and UChicago’s many traditions—including House culture in the residence halls. She’s very excited to engage with that new community, and has been doing her research.

“We are playing dodgeball,” said Hodge. “I've never successfully hit anything with a dodgeball, but I'm very excited to do that and meet everyone in my house.”

She plans to study molecular engineering, with a goal of finding the solutions to the problems posed by cancer. 

“I want to be able to take what I learn at UChicago and help the people in my community in return,” said Hodge, who has seen cancer’s effect on those around her. “I owe who I am to them—my community and my family. My roots run incredibly deep, and I will never stop being grateful for that.” 

Jorge Rosado 

Born and raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, Jorge Rosado’s Latino community is a strong part of his identity.

“I’ve been surrounded and supported by this community my whole life; I had amazing teachers and classmates,” said Rosado, who graduated from World Language High School.

Rosado has always believed that education is an important part of one’s life and looks forward to jumping into his studies in the College.

“I’m really interested in UChicago’s ‘life of the mind’ way of thinking, having a strong mindset in a variety of areas if you really want to learn,” said Rosado. “I’m looking forward to taking classes in the Core Curriculum, which really makes you explore every single type of knowledge available.”

In addition to his Core classes, Rosado will study computer science, with the hopes of contributing to projects that will have a greater impact on the world. 

He’s already spent a great deal of time collecting hands-on experience in the field. He worked at Code Nation and Digital Partners Institute learning about web programming and coding. Last summer he spent time as an intern at Chicago’s Google offices, learning about React Developer Tools from Google software engineers. As an Amazon Future Engineer Scholar, he’ll spend the summer of 2025 completing a 12-week Amazon internship.

“I'm really looking forward to being on campus and meeting everyone,” said Rosado. “There’s so much diversity, so many bright minds on campus. Students have amazing dreams, and really want to change the world.”

Chris Simington

While you may see Chris Simington this fall on the football field—he joined the Maroons as a defensive lineman—this Dallas, Texas native looks forward to experiencing all that UChicago has to offer.

He plans to double major in business economics and psychology. But outside the classroom, he’s most excited to meet his classmates—learning about their different cultures, backgrounds and experiences. He’s already begun exploring the Chicago food scene, and plans to engage with the Organization of Black Students, as well as find time to practice his oboe.

“I have it right here with me in my dorm, it's not common but an instrument that I really enjoy,” said Simington, who earned all-state honors playing the instrument. “It’s something I want to keep up with, in the orchestra or through a club—or I can use it as my party trick if needed.” 

The student body president at the all-boys school also spent a lot of time doing volunteer work and getting involved during his high school career. He hopes to continue engaging around an issue important to him here at UChicago, mental health.

“Especially coming from an all-boys school, there can be a stigma of being tough and not showing emotions,” said Simington, who wants to remain engaged with groups that promote mental well-being. “I know that UChicago is a really hard school, and people are pressured—having that door to express your emotions, be vulnerable and know there are people out there that are there to help you is really important.”

He co-founded a now-nationally recognized suicide prevention program at Jesuit College Preparatory School called the Hope Squad. He served on the organization’s National Council, which interacted with students all across the country who were also passionate about mental health and suicide prevention. 

Nicolas Tchkotoua

Nicolas Tchkotoua joins the UChicago community this fall as a second-year transfer student from Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

“Last year, I visited my brother during Halloween weekend and knew instantly that this is where I needed to be,” said Tchkotoua. “I sat in on two of his classes with him, and everyone was so welcoming, intelligent and driven.”

Tchkotoua started on his application in November, submitted it soon after and is thankful to have been accepted into UChicago’s Class of 2027.

Tchkotoua is looking forward to meeting classmates from places around the world, with diverse experiences, majoring in different things. And with a year of college already under his belt, he has advice to share with other students new to the College this fall.

“As simple as it sounds, I’d recommend keeping an open mind and going the extra mile to introduce yourself to people you otherwise maybe in high school wouldn't have spoken to,” said Tchkotoua. “In my first year, I made so many different friends from a little initial introduction in a class, not being afraid to go up just talk to someone new. 

“Everyone's in the same boat; we're all here for a reason at this unbelievable institution. We're all united by that one umbrella. So just reach out.”

With plans to major in business economics, he wants to get involved with some of the finance RSOs on campus—such as Paragon Global Investments or Blue Chips. The Greenwich, Conn. native who was a member of the track and field team in high school and a student athlete at Babson, plans to join the lacrosse club team during his time as a Maroon.

Esme Vroom

Esme Vroom has lived in Brooklyn, New York her entire life. However, growing up the daughter of two UChicago alumni, and a fourth-year brother in the College, she is familiar with campus and the city she’s about to call home for the next four years.

Passionate about politics, in high school Vroom created a nonprofit focused on local politics, called Act New York. She plans to major in political science and spent this past summer interning in the Senate in Washington, D.C.

As she’s become more involved in politics, Vroom firmly believes that bipartisanship is more important than ever—one of the reasons why she decided to intern in a Republican’s Senate office. 

“I think it's important to actually know what you're disagreeing with before you disagree with it,” said Vroom. “Starting work on the Hill seemed so intimidating, but when you get into the nuts and bolts of the legislative process, you realize that these are just people! They’re cool, you can have coffee with them, they’re super passionate about their work and it made me feel a little bit more hopeful about our political climate.”

She hopes to get involved in local politics in Illinois, but also getting engaged with the campus community and experiencing all UChicago has to offer.

“I’m looking forward to being around a group of people who are super-duper passionate about what they do, no matter how far out it is,” said Vroom. “I think getting to hear people ramble on about exoplanets or whatever they're into is going to be an awesome experience—just getting to know all of these different people who are unique, smart and super excited.”