WATCH: Class of 2025 students are carving bold paths for the future

Vanderbilt fosters a community where students are inspired to lead, innovate and learn skills to direct their own unique paths and make a real difference in the world.

Discover the stories of three remarkable students from the Class of 2025 who are shaping a better tomorrow through their work on national security, business and improving health care.

JULIA RED WING USES CHALLENGES AS A CHARGE TO CREATE BETTER HEALTH CARE

When it comes to wrestling with health care and economic crises and the harrowing impact both have on families, Minnesota native Julia Red Wing has become an expert by necessity. Her sister, cousins and father all suffer from debilitating health and special needs issues. As a young caregiver, she experienced firsthand the emotional, physical and economic drain.

Julia Red Wing and her family (Submitted photo)

But with the support and experiences she has had at Vanderbilt, the medicine, health and society and human and organizational development double major is using her circumstances as motivation to make an impact.

"I am passionate about fixing a health care system that should be uplifting people," she said. "My dream in life would be to end generational trauma for my family and for others. I want to be that big turning point."

HEALTH CARE WITH HEART

Red Wing's ultimate goals are to use positions in health care management to increase efficiency and fairness among underserved, rural, Indigenous and low-income populations. And she's already doing that with an internship-turned-job as a hospital project coordinator for Covalus Consulting.

Julia Red Wing, Class of 2025 (Submitted photo)

"Julia has seen firsthand how systems in our country make it challenging for those with limited health literacy or access to reach their full potential. She has known since she walked onto the Vanderbilt campus exactly what her purpose would be. Thus, she has brought together the fields of medicine, sociology and organizational development as a way to understand, harness and mobilize the human capital needed to change the health care system for vulnerable groups," said Jessika Boles, assistant professor of the practice of psychological sciences.

UNDERSTANDING THROUGH RESEARCH

Julia Red Wing presenting her research at the undergraduate research fair (Submitted photo)

Red Wing found inspiring research projects to further her goals in the CHILL Lab-Children's Healthcare, Illness, Legacy and Loss-run by Boles, as well as the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Summer Research Program.

"I told Dr. Boles I wanted to help kids like my nephew, who have PTSD from so much time in the health care system. She taught me about pediatric medical traumatic stress, which is a form of diagnosed PTSD, and that's what I focused my summer research on," Red Wing said.

CONNECTING WITH HER HERITAGE

Boles also helped Red Wing outside the lab, by giving her a space to connect with her Native American heritage.

Julia Red Wing with her grandfather after a gymnastics competition (Submitted photo)

"My grandfather was a Santee Sioux and the first generation to live off a reservation, and my grandma is Guatemalan. I'm very thankful to hold on to both of their cultures because they represent past figures, past generations in my family's lineage of people who fought for freedom, people who fought for a better life. And that's everything I stand for," said Red Wing, who has also been a resident adviser at Vanderbilt for three years. "I wake up and I work 12-hour days normally, because that's what Red Wings do."

Red Wing said Boles gave her a supportive environment to explore her roots.

Julia Red Wing and her dance partner in Café con Leche (Submitted photo)

"Talking with Dr. Boles was the first time I connected with someone about my Native American heritage because she has studied Native American religions, and she was the first person that was just so excited to hear my story."

Red Wing became active in Vanderbilt's Indigenous Scholars organization and danced in Café con Leche to honor her Guatemalan side. She also earned a prestigious Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship that helped her learn about other cultures through a study abroad program across South Africa, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Croatia.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Red Wing openly talks about having "imposter syndrome" when coming to Vanderbilt, and she credits the Student Care Network and University Counseling Center for helping her throughout her college experience.

Julia Red Wing, Class of 2025, medicine, health and society and human and organizational development double major (John Russell/Vanderbilt)

"If I could talk to my younger self, I would say that it's okay to acknowledge the difficulties you face and to not be afraid to show both the light and dark aspects of who you are," she said. "I used to think that pushing my struggles aside would help me find happiness and would pave the path of success, but I've learned that growth comes from vulnerability and stepping outside of your comfort zone and then working hard. That ultimately led to my healing process."

Red Wing believes her Vanderbilt experience changed her life for the better.

"Vanderbilt is a safe place for transformation-a place where you're not just prepared for a career, but for a life of purpose, service and connection," she said. "And that's what makes Vanderbilt so special to me. They were able to help me toward the future I've always been fighting for."

EVELYN MARX, ENTHUSIASTIC ENGINEER

When Evelyn Marx, an electrical and computer engineering double major in the School of Engineering, describes her interest in engineering and advanced technology, she uses the word "passionate"-and her actions and accolades back that up.

The central Ohio native has been learning about engineering since she started taking classes at Ohio State University her junior year of high school and participated in OSU's underwater robotics team.

"I joke that I've been in college for a very long time now," she said, laughing. "But that helped me narrow down the type of engineering I was drawn to."

Evelyn Marx and Reagan Brown at Vanderbilt's annual ECE day in April 2024, when Marx won best undergraduate research for the second year. (Submitted photo)

SUPPORTING U.S. DEFENSE

The U.S. Department of Defense saw her potential early on and selected her as a SMART Scholar (Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation) in her first year. The award provides students with mentorship, summer internships and full-time employment with the DoD in defense engineering after graduation.

"Before my sophomore year, I worked at the Missile Defense Agency and had hands-on experience, which was very surreal," she said. "And because Vanderbilt has such close ties to the Department of Defense and the Missile Defense Agency, I've continued working during the school year."

She is also active in Vanderbilt's Institute for Space and Defense Electronics, and its partnership with the institutional partnership SCALE (Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement) microelectronics workforce development program.

Evelyn Marx presented her research at the Engineering School's annual ECE day in April 2023. She won best undergraduate research. (Submitted photo)

"During Evelyn's four years, she has taken advantage of opportunities to meaningfully contribute to technical research and has served well in leadership roles and as a role model in mentoring other students," said Marx's longtime mentor, Michael Alles, research professor of electrical engineering and interim director of ISDE.

"Her strong technical skills, excellent people skills and inherent curiosity will make her an asset to any organization and an excellent college professor in the future."- Michael Alles

STUDENT TO TEACHER

Evelyn Marx attends the Institute of National Security Launch in Washington, D.C., in October 2024. (Submitted photo)

Now Marx is moving from student to teacher-with current engineers in the defense industry.

"My newest project is called Lab RaTTS, which is a funny acronym for laboratory radiation test training simulator," she said. "I'm teaching engineers in the defense industry how to test the very sensitive and expensive electronic elements on their missile or rocket or satellite, so they can survive in space and contribute to protecting our country."

FINDING BALANCE

But don't let her incredible engineering resume fool you. Evelyn is also passionate about creating balance. She's been a leader in Vanderbilt Women in Computing and the academic chair of her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, among other activities.

"I love my sorority, and I've met my best friends ever," she said. "I think being a part of these woman-run organizations outside of the classroom is really important to me because much of what I do in engineering can tend to be very male-dominated. Having strong women that I'm inspired by, that I can lean on, has been pivotal to my success here on campus."

HER GREATEST INSPIRATION

While Marx has been on a uniquely charged path, she credits her late father, who passed away shortly before she started at Vanderbilt, with helping her map her future.

"My dad was the most amazing parent and educator ever. He was an English professor, and he really helped me process all of my thoughts. Because I think when you're applying to college and choosing what you want to do, it's super overwhelming. But I could really lean on my dad, and it made the process a lot more fun. It's a memory with him that I'll always cherish," she said.

Read more of Evelyn Marx's experiences in an upcoming Q&A.

MILITARY VETERAN RYAN THOMAS BUILDS WORK/LIFE BALANCE

Ryan Thomas clearly recalls memories of a decade of overseas deployments-working to save lives as an Army medic and ultimately managing teams of health care providers in military emergency rooms. Those memories take a back seat to the joy Thomas and his husband recently experienced as the five-year adoption process of their foster child finally came through.

It was that family milestone that gave Thomas the ultimate motivation to retire from the Army and pivot his experience into the civilian workforce and earning a master's degree in health care, human and organizational performance and marketing at the Vanderbilt Owen Graduate School of Management.

"I left the military just a week before starting classes at Owen. It was an honor and blessing to be of value to my country and work alongside so many great people. Now I'm ready to challenge myself and help others in a new way," he said.

Staff Sgt. Ryan Thomas with Lt. Col. Andre Pacho on a Middle East deployment (Submitted photo)

Thomas has accepted a position with Sam's Club at their corporate office in Arkansas.

"Though it's a big departure from health care and emergency medicine, combining organizational performance and marketing has been really exciting," he said.

UNIQUE ROAD

Thomas completed his undergraduate degree over multiple years, taking night classes while working full-time in the Army. He said honing the work ethic to balance work, school and family has set him up for success.

"The 'dare to grow' motto definitely fits for me. I have an open mindset, and I'm willing to share my experiences and learn from others in different cultures, with different perspectives, different ideas. That's the whole idea of working in collaboration. If you don't ask the question and open yourself to learn, how do you even know if you were right or if someone else is wrong?" he said.

Thomas has also been recruiting for Owen Admissions, sharing his unique story.

"Ryan is one of the most personable students I've worked with. He is a light in our community, creating deep connections with his magnetic personality. Hearing him share examples in a recent panel about how he strove to create an inclusive and understanding community as an LGBTQIA member of the military was very moving, and you could easily see what a dynamic and powerful leader he is," said Amanda Fend, director of MBA recruiting.

LIFE GOALS AND ADVICE

Ryan Thomas, Class of 2025, MBA candidate in human and organizational performance (John Russell/Vanderbilt)

Thomas said one of his joys now that he's consistently stateside has been coaching his son's soccer team. He also has a goal of running a full marathon in all 50 states. So far, he's completed six races.

"Vanderbilt has given me so many opportunities to make my own future a success. It's up to the individual to make it happen, but the opportunities and connections are here," he said.

"When I talk to prospective students, I often say, 'We all started somewhere. Some of us, like me, are very far from what you might imagine the typical MBA student. But no matter where you are in life, if you have a dream, you just have to start.'"

• Look for more stories in the Class of 2025 storytelling series
• Meet members of the Class of 2025 building community in meaningful ways
• Meet four members of the Class of 2025 who are transforming lives by collaborating in engineering, medicine, mentorship and education
• Follow all the latest Commencement 2025 news and updates on the Commencement website
• Share your Commencement photos and tag #VU2025