Georgetown University

10/10/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2025 09:02

What Being a Hoya Means to the 2025-2026 Georgetown Storytellers

Hoya Saxa means "what rocks!" and has been Georgetown's cheer for over 100 years.

But what does it mean to be a Hoya?

This year, we welcome a new cast to Georgetown Stories, a series that documents a group of students throughout the year as they show what life as a Hoya is all about.

Follow the Storytellers on Instagram, TikTok, YouTubeand the Student Life Blogas they take you through their lives in Georgetown classes, clubs, internships, study abroad experiences and more.

Meet the Storytellers and discover what being a Hoya means to each of them.

Sarah Brannigan (B'28)

Hometown: Bronx, New York

At first glance, being a Hoya means running to the monuments with forever friends from around the world, fall strolls through Georgetown after an Ethical Values of Business lecture and cheering on the basketball team at the Capital One Arena. But after a yearon the Hilltop, I've realized it means much more. Being a Hoya means tackling questions you never imagined you could answer, experiencing opportunities you never knew existed and meeting people who will truly change your life.

Bennie Chang (SFS'26)

Hometown: San Jose, California

Being a Hoya means critically examining the ideas of others and your own. Georgetown's culture of incisive discourse about pressing domestic and global issueshas compelled me to scrutinize and recalibrate my stance. At times, contentious conversations spur me to object; more often, though, contending with an issue's nuances propels me to reconsider my nascent beliefs. No matter what you study or who your friends are, this is a defining feature of the Georgetown experience and one that I deeply prize.

Yasmin Diallo (C'28)

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

To me, being a Hoya means endless amounts of iced coffee from Einstein Bros. via too many meal swipes. Just kidding! (Kind of )

While I do love coffee, being a Hoya means so much more than that. As a new transfer student studying public policy, I arrived at Georgetown feeling nervous and uncertain. But that quickly changed when I met the incredibly welcoming and supportive community here.

To me, being a Hoya means uplifting others - through kindness, encouragement and connection.

Zoe Van Zelm (H'29)

Hometown: Winter Park, Florida

To me, being a Hoya means examining the gap between who I am and who I want to become. Georgetown encourages me to acknowledge my present identity while simultaneously inviting me to explore unfamiliar spiritual, physical, intellectual and social aspects of not only Georgetown but the whole world. To be a Hoya is to embrace growth while valuing one's own uniqueness.

Harnoor Sachar (SFS'26)

Hometown: Bergen County, New Jersey

To me, being a Hoya means living with purpose, rooted in service and community. As a Sikh American, I carry forward the Sikh values of seva(selfless service) and justice, which align deeply with Georgetown's Jesuit values. Here, I've found a space to honor my identitywhile engaging in service that bridges cultures and uplifts others, whether through research, storytelling or community work. Being a Hoya means striving to serve with compassion, integrity and global responsibility.

Kiumars Afrassiabi (B'28)

Hometown: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Being a Hoya means showing up for people and getting the little things right. Like holding the door open, sharing notes or checking in with friends. It means you try hard, own up to your mistakes and learn quickly from them. I bring that fast pace from Dubai, plus the whole family-first way of thinking, and then I let DC show me how to turn it all into real service. Hoya Saxa, to me, means being the kind of person others can actually count on. That's the teammate, the neighbor and friend I'm trying to become.

Isabela McNeilly-Anta (SFS'27)

Hometown: Whitehouse Station, New Jersey

Being a Hoya implies a relentless pursuit of excellence and authenticity.

Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J., coined the term "inscape" - each person's distinctive inner essence, revealed through their words and actions. At Georgetown, students spend their years discerning not just their calling but how to fulfill it at the highest level. Intertwined with the very fabric of politics, Georgetown arms its students with an international perspective and models for decisive action. To me, being a Hoya means embracing this quest for vocation: refining my gifts, uncovering new interests and preparing to live a life of service to others and my country.

Mara Goldstein (C'27)

Hometown: Pearl City, Hawaii

Being a Hoya to me means being passionate about learning, always expanding my perspective and making lifelong friends! Some of my best memories come from talking to other Hoyas and growing from our discussions both in and out of the classroom. In my time at Georgetown, I've learned so much about the world and about myself.

Justin Higgins (C'28)

Hometown: Albany, NY

Being a Hoya means being at the center of the action. Georgetown's location in our nation's capital and access to opportunitiesare unparalleled, and it gives students the chance to connect their studies to the real world consistently. What makes the Georgetown community special is the culture on campus: Students are ambitious and work incredibly hard, yet they're just as eager to support their peers and can enjoy life outside of the classroom. To me, being a Hoya means striving for excellence within a community that pushes you to succeed and celebrates with you along the way.

Ashley Jeong (H'26)

Hometown: East Rutherford, New Jersey

To me, being a Hoya means belonging to a community that's both incredibly passionate and supportive, where people pursue their ambitionswhile always lifting others up. I've met the most intelligent, driven and kindhearted people here, who inspire me to grow and make the most of every opportunity Georgetown offers.

Luke Hughes (SFS'27)

Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois

Being a Hoya means being immersed in the ideals of Jesuit education. My time at Georgetown has shown me the importance of being a global citizen, one who uses their skills as a force for good in the world. The Hilltop is unique because it is the best place for a student like me to become just that. Because of the diverse backgrounds on campus and the school's ever-expanding international presence, as a Hoya, I have learned more about the world around me than I could ever imagine.

Juliette Robinson (SFS'28)

Hometown: Hong Kong and Little Rock, Arkansas

Being a Hoya means joining a communitythat pushes me to grow while reminding me to reflect on what truly matters. It is about discernment, learning to make choices that reflect my values. Georgetown and DC offer countless opportunities, and being a Hoya means deciding which ones to pursue with intentionality. It is also about enjoying the little things: spending time with friends, celebrating campus traditions and finding joy in everyday moments. To me, being a Hoya means leading with purpose while still enjoying the journey.

Sydney Carroll (C'27)

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

To me, being a Hoya means being a part of a vibrant community where your passions, aspirations and talents are recognized and celebrated. I've been lucky to meet my best friends and have some incredible experiences at Georgetown, and I feel lucky to be part of a community where I feel valued and supported.

Mariela Cruz-Suarez (SFS'28)

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Being a Hoya means working to create meaningful change in our world. Nearly every Hoya I've met is dedicating their time to causes that matter, leading initiatives that support the most vulnerable or engaging in dialogue to better understand pressing global issues and how they can contribute. Hoyas are some of the most engaged people I've ever encountered, and I'm constantly inspired by our shared commitment to being people for others. I'm deeply grateful to be in a community that challenges me to grow every day, ask new questions and always find ways to give back.

Ninabella Arlis (C'26, B'26)

Hometown: Downers Grove, Illinois

If we take the science path, a Hoya is a type of plant, a climbing evergreen shrub. Okay, that's not actually what we mean when we say the GU Hoyas. But I like this imagery for Georgetown anyway, and not because my favorite parts of campus are full of greenery.

To be a Hoya is to be forever reaching. Always growing and changing. It means being unsatisfied. Maybe that's not the right word. But for all its intensely negative synonyms, unsatisfied seems to be the closest I can get to describing the genuinely positive state of never being quite complacent. I chose to become a Hoya because I like being a part of something bigger than myself. Hoyas are people who are unsatisfied, who see some change they want in the world and dedicate themselves to becoming it.

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Georgetown University published this content on October 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 10, 2025 at 15:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]