Shaping Minds, Inspiring Futures

St. Mary's Alumnae in Higher Education

Across the country, St. Mary’s alumnae are shaping the future of higher education and inspiring the growth of young minds. Just as St. Mary’s teachers once guided them, these women now carry forward that legacy by sparking curiosity in the next generation. Whether
teaching Victorian literature, planning graduation ceremonies, or mentoring aspiring costume designers, our alumnae continue to share the wisdom, creativity, and courage they first cultivated as Turkeys.

Lara Kriegel ’86, PhD

Professor of History and English,
Indiana University Bloomington

A professor at Indiana University, Lara Kriegel ’86, brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education, with scholarly interests spanning British history and Victorian literature. A dedicated educator and prolific researcher, Kriegel has published widely on topics including museums and warfare. Her intellectual rigor is matched by a deep commitment to student growth and success. Kriegel’s passion for the liberal arts was first ignited at St. Mary’s, where she honed her voice as a reader, writer, and thinker. It was there she embraced a guiding principle that still informs her work today: “It’s good to work hard at something you love and something that creates value for those around you.”


 

Ashley Bellet ’98

Assistant Professor of Costume Design,
Purdue University

Ashley Bellet ’98 has designed costumes for dozens of theatre productions, but teaching is what threads all of her interests together. As a Professor of Costume Design at Purdue University, Bellet connects the technical aspect of designing costumes with historical research-based methods to foster a love of creating. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Design and English from the University of the South at Sewanee and a master’s from the University of Memphis. “I knew from a very early age that I wanted to teach at some point in my life because I had incredible teachers at St. Mary’s,” Bellet said. “I’m a designer, but I am also an educator. I adore teaching. I love my students dearly, and I live for the hours in the classroom.”


 

Mary Anne Kish Seibert ’90, PhD

Director of Counseling Services,
Hendrix College

For more than two decades, Dr. Mary Anne Kish Seibert ’90 has served as the Director of Counseling Services at Hendrix College, where she oversees day-to-day operations, provides individual therapy to students, and leads wellness initiatives designed to help young adults thrive. Seibert is a first-generation Armenian-American and a proud first-generation college student. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Hendrix and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. Reflecting on her years at St. Mary’s, Dr. Seibert credits the school with nurturing both her intellect and her emotional intelligence, preparing her for her current role.

“Because St. Mary’s fostered emotional intelligence in a challenging, yet supportive environment, I felt prepared to take the core values of understanding both oneself and others into my work in higher education,” she said. “Just as my St. Mary’s teachers did for me, I also want to convey to all students that they are capable and empower them to find opportunities and ways they can contribute to their communities.”

Liza Alrutz Abdeljaoued ’15

Assistant Director for Graduation & Senior Year Experiences,
Northwestern University

Liza Alrutz Abdeljaoued ’15 works in the office of Student Transition Experiences at Northwestern University, where she supports students through milestone moments, with a special focus on the senior year experience. A key part of her role is managing the production of graduation weekend and helping bring the celebration to life. Throughout the year, she also contributes to targeted programming and communications for students at every stage of their college journey. Abdeljaoued constantly creates meaningful, memorable experiences for students in preparation for their next chapter.


 

Amina Dilawari ’95

Assistant Vice President of University Communications, University of Memphis

As Assistant Vice President of University Marketing and Communications at the University of Memphis, Amina Dilawari ’95 brings over 20 years of experience in the field. At the university, she brings big-picture marketing strategies to life while telling the stories of the many remarkable students on campus. Dilawari holds a master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Memphis and a bachelor’s degree in Literature from American University. For Dilawari, working in higher education is an opportunity to inspire the next generation of young minds.

“At St. Mary’s Episcopal School, I learned that education is about so much more than academics alone. It’s about purpose, service, and a lifelong curiosity for learning,” she said. “These values became the foundation for my new career in higher education. They remind me that meaningful work is rooted in making a difference for others, and they continue to guide me as I grow, adapt, and help students discover their own sense of purpose.”

Lizzy Holt Walker ’08

Associate Director of Donor Experience, Vanderbilt University

At Vanderbilt University, Lizzy Holt Walker ’08 serves in the Development and Alumni Relations division, where she focuses on fundraising and alumni events. Her role centers on providing meaningful outreach to alumni and fundraising for the school. As a communications professional, she brings storytelling and strategy to life by showcasing the lasting impact of generosity on students’ lives. Deeply committed to higher education, she finds fulfillment in supporting a vibrant academic community and plans to continue growing her career at Vanderbilt.

“I love that Vanderbilt helps students find where they fit and where they belong. I see a lot of that in the commitment to the student experience at St. Mary’s as well,” Walker said. “It’s neat to see the through line to really strong educational institutions.”