The Nine Ways of Knowing has decided to profile some of the amazing women of the class of 2015, and we’re so sad to see them leave! If you’d like to be featured on the blog or know someone who should definitely be profiled, email us at ninewaysofknowing@gmail.com.

Name: Julia Qian
Hometown: Hangzhou, China
Major: History, Athena Scholar

What are You Involved In?
SGA (A LOT of SGA), Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Club Q, Senior Interviewer, Global Symposium Fellow, etc

Guilty Pleasure?
Gilmore Girls… or the swings at Riverside Park.

Favorite Memory from Barnard?
I loved convocation this year. Seeing hundreds of people, students, faculty, alumnae and administrators, gather together at Riverside Church to celebrate our 125th anniversary gives me a glimpse into the global community that I am apart of.
I genuinely enjoy every second with people in this community. it is pretty insane how amazing everyone is. People will challenge you, encourage you, inspire you and push you to achieve the potential that you didn’t even see in yourself. It’s a magical land.

Biggest Leap of Faith During College?
Running for SGA President was definitely a “bold and beautiful” leap of faith for me. As an international and a transfer student, I didn’t think I would one day become the student body president. It was my friends who encouraged me to dream bigger and to imagine better. It was the same friends who showed me tough love: they were always there to support me, but at the same time they were always the first ones to call me out and to challenge me to do better. It was absolutely a privilege to serve as SGA president. It gave me an unparalleled opportunity to interact with different groups of students from various backgrounds and interest. I was constantly inspired because Barnard students proactively and actively engage in and contribute to important conversations and processes, from admission policy on trans students, to the design of the Teaching and Learning Center, to the curriculum review, and to support our peers in tough times after the non-indictment and events in Baltimore. Being SGA President is by far the biggest challenge for me in college but also a rewarding and transformative experience. If I could say something to the class of 2019, that will be “get uncomfortable, make mistakes, take risks, dream big, stay curious and take actions.”

What Will You Miss?
Of course the people, these passionate, dedicated, committed, curious and extraordinary individuals.

What Won’t You Miss?
Exams

Favorite Place On or Off Campus?
Liz’s Place and Lehman Lawn

In 5 Words or Less, What’s Next?
Learn, lead, love, serve