Oxy Stories | Occidental College

From academics to real-world impact, explore stories from our community that highlight the people and experiences making Occidental College a place of opportunity, discovery, and success.

Michael W. Murphy

Michael W. Murphy

Faculty Black Studies

Meet Michael W. Murphy of Black Studies, whose research and teaching emphasize anticolonial and environmental approaches to sociological thought.

Janna Ireland

Faculty Art & Art History

Meet Janna Ireland of Art & Art History, who has had solo exhibitions in Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, New Orleans, and other cities. Her photos have been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and many other publications.

Stephen S. Hudson

Stephen S. Hudson

Meet Stephen S. Hudson of Music, a music theorist and baroque cellist who is also an emerging expert on metal music, focusing on fans and musicians’ embodied experiences of rhythm, timbre, and song form.

Isaac Hale

Isaac Hale ’11

Faculty Politics

Meet Isaac Hale ’11 of Politics, whose research agenda centers on how citizens hold elected officials electorally accountable.

Jose Guadalupe Sanchez III

Jose Guadalupe Sanchez III

Faculty Art & Art History

Meet Jose Guadalupe Sanchez III of Art & Art History, an interdisciplinary artist with an emphasis in painting, whose work investigates the interactions between different value systems found throughout Los Angeles, with a focus on intelligence, legitimacy, and authority.

Nicholas Alt

Nicholas P. Alt

Faculty Psychology

Meet Nicholas P. Alt of Psychology, whose academic research spans the areas of social psychology, cognitive psychology, and vision science.

Angel Navarro

Angel Navarro ’87

Alumni Economics Politics History

A newly appointed judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Angel’s time at Occidental afforded him experiences that proved valuable throughout his career. He describes those who were the most influential during crucial years of his life and offers some advice to current Oxy students.

Lisa Cronican

Student Politics

After building a career in information technology on the East Coast, veteran Lisa Cronican ’22 returned to Los Angeles to fulfill a lifelong goal: completing her Oxy bachelor’s degree after a 25-year hiatus.

Mikayla Woods '25

Student Black Studies American Studies English

At Oxy, Mikayla Woods is focused on Blackness through an interdisciplinary lens as she pursues her goal of eventually earning a Ph.D. in Black Studies. She is finding inspiration and support from her faculty mentors every step of the way.

Michael Gonzales '96

Michael Gonzales ’96

Alumni Diplomacy & World Affairs

Michael was appointed by President Joe Biden as ambassador to Zambia, building on a long, dedicated career in foreign service and development work in Africa.

Nick Graves '23

Student Diplomacy & World Affairs Media Arts & Culture

An appreciation for the international sphere has dovetailed with an interest in media and television production for Nick Graves ’23. An internship with Disney and the Academy Gold Rising Program is moving him forward along his path.

Student Urban & Environmental Policy Theater & Performance Studies

Emma Galbraith ’25 balances twin passions for environmental justice and theater, taking on both community organizing and starring in a Geffen Playhouse production in Los Angeles. Oxy is providing her with a path to pursue both.