Alum Success Stories
We have a lot to be proud of here. And while the strength of our program certainly shows in our college admissions, to us the true measure of a student’s success is much more than that. It’s sustainable and lasting change in the form of accountability and self-advocacy; curiosity about the world and people in it; inspired action; positive connections; and through everything, a desire to discover and be your best self. These are our alum’s success stories.
Heather Alpern ’07
Aerospace engineer, artist, and animal lover
NASA aerospace engineer, MA, Aerospace Engineering, BA, Mechanical Engineering
“McLean sculpted me into who I am and helped me see myself as more than just someone with dyslexia. All the opportunities I had gave me freedom to find my passions and opened up a whole new world to me – literally!”
Harris Bergman ’09
Sustainability Consultant, Environment Advocate, and McLean trustee
Director of Operations Management, East West Resources Corp.
“Even at that young age, the school encouraged advocacy and independence.”
Daniel Rosales Berstein ’12
Taking Learning to the Next Level
Property Manager and Communications Associate, Next Level Rentals and Realty
“Everyone at McLean is invested in you beyond academics, the teachers care about you like family.”
Chantal Contijoch ’08
Expressive arts therapist, teacher, and theatre lover
Strategy and Operations Consultant MBA, Washington University BS, Denison University
“Teachers pushed me in ways I needed and wanted to be pushed and engaged me in ways that made me a stronger student and helped me reach my goals.”
Faiza El-Hibri ’08
Documentarian, athlete, and go-getter
Master’s degree in sustainability management at American University’s Kogod School of Business
“If I had to sum up my experience at McLean I would describe it as boundless.”
Joyce Gendler ’08
World traveler, musician, and natural born leader
Social Justice Education Through the Arts Degree from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study
“In a world where you’re expected to go from A to B then C, McLean helped me understand that the line between them might be a little squiggly sometimes.”
Maya June ’15
Sociology at Work
DEI specialist for the American Society of Human Genetics
“My time at McLean School taught me to think critically and analytically about the world around me.”
Sam Lebow ’04
Making a World of Difference
Professional in the field of international and experiential education, with a Master’s in International and Comparative Education
“I was supported in being exactly who I am by people who were invested in me no matter what. “
Zach Levine ’16
From Making Headway to Making Headlines
Television News Producer Degree in Broadcast and Digital Journalism, Syracuse University
“McLean was a safe place where I was celebrated for literally all of who I was, including the parts of myself I felt shame around.”
Donovan McLemore ’22
Works to Bring Out the Best in Himself & Others
Student and Entrepreneur
“Yes, you get the work done, but it’s deeper than that. It’s about creating authenticity in your relationships with people you can count on who can also count on you.”
Kate (Dykstra) Middleton ’05
Small School, Big Impact: A Life-Changing Experience
BA, Studio Art, University of Maryland, College Park
“My years at McLean were truly some of the best of my life … It’s such a formative time, and I got to go through it in such a safe, comforting, all-inclusive environment.”
Jennifer (Weinstein) Rapowitz ’13
Her Strength is Helping Others Tap Into Theirs
University of Maryland Honors graduate and therapist in private practice
“So much of resilience comes from an internal knowledge that you are capable, which is something I realize I got from McLean. “
Garrett Reynolds ’16
Free Thought, Fortitude, and Friendship
Boston College graduate working in NYC in consumer privacy and data ethics
“I really enjoyed having teachers who pushed on you, and encouraged you to look through different lenses.”
Brandon Royal ’04
World traveler, musician, and natural born leader
Airport ambassador and translator, Dulles International MA, International Relations BA, Asian Studies
“At McLean, my classmates and teachers instantly made me feel welcome and it made all the difference and opened up doors. I strive to do the same wherever I go.”
Janan Shouhayib ’12
Passionate about learning, then and now
Fifth-year doctoral candidate in Critical Social/Personality Psychology at The Graduate Center, City University of New York
“It was pretty easy to fit in and all the teachers were very welcoming. Because of the small classes, teachers could always provide extra help where it was needed or challenge you if you forged ahead.”
Jordan Wilmot ’15
Connection, Confidence, and Cooking: A Recipe for Success
Associate Culinary Arts Degree from ALMA La Scuola Internazionale di Cucina Italiana
“Everyone at McLean cares about what they’re teaching”
