1. A Culture of Kindness

Washington and Lee University has what Jenny Galeana '26 describes as a "culture of kindness," an environment in which people feel seen and valued by their community. For her, this commitment to fostering a sense of belonging among students, faculty and staff made W&L the perfect place to spend a year on an international exchange.

A student at the University of Monterrey in her home country of Mexico, Galeana received this year's Gunn-Pemberton Scholarship, which invites eligible undergraduate students from around the world to spend one year at W&L to augment the major studies in which they are engaged at their home institutions. Funded by the John M. Gunn International Scholarship and the Harrison J. Pemberton Fund for International Study, recipients may be majoring in any academic discipline, but preference is given to students who plan to focus some of their work in the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics, taking courses in accounting, business administration, economics or politics, and are interested in a broader experience in the liberal arts.

Galeana (who continued to take online classes through the University of Monterrey in addition to her W&L coursework last semester) studies accounting and finance and was drawn to W&L's liberal arts model and the opportunities to take classes in different disciplines. For her, accounting goes beyond the numbers on the page and is about the stories behind them - how decisions are made, resources are allocated and priorities are set. The field develops critical thinking and analytical abilities, and by exploring new disciplines, she is able to build on this foundation and apply her skills in unique ways.

"W&L's interdisciplinary approach represents exactly the kind of comprehensive education that prepares you not only for a career but for navigating the complexities of any field," Galeana said. "The analytical foundation of accounting and being able to analyze data and what's behind it is something I want to apply broadly to help organizations make better decisions and generate a positive impact."

W&L also appealed to Galeana because it modeled the values she had first admired at the University of Monterrey. Her initial research on W&L revealed a campus committed to civility and the mission of promoting critical and humane thinking, and she was impressed by the emphasis the university placed on the very values and principles she strives to cultivate in herself. Her instincts would quickly be proven true, and only a few days after arriving on campus, Galeana knew that W&L was a special place.

"From the very first week, during international student orientation, I confirmed that I had made the right decision," Galeana said. "The kindness of the students surprised me immensely. It was genuine, consistent and inherent in the way people interacted with each other."

Galeana is grateful for this "culture of kindness" she has continued to find at W&L and credits the Speaking Tradition with making her feel welcome on campus and fostering a sense of belonging within the W&L community.

"It seems like something insignificant, but it creates an environment where people feel seen and valued," she said.

In a short time, W&L has left a lasting impact on Galeana. It has not always been easy - she recalls being nervous about the academic rigor of her classes and having to speak English daily at a more intensive level than she has before - but little by little she learned to overcome her fear of making mistakes and is proud of her success.

"Despite the challenges of living abroad, adapting to a new culture, doing all my studies in a second language and managing online classes from my home university simultaneously, I'm succeeding and enjoying it immensely," Galeana said. "I pushed myself to the limit, learning incredible material from different perspectives."

"Jenny is one of the strongest students in my class," said Jeff Schatten, associate professor of business administration. "Her written work and in-class contributions reflect careful preparation and a seriousness of purpose that stands out among her peers."

In pushing herself, Galeana discovered another hallmark of the W&L experience, what she calls a "culture of giving your best." During her time on campus, she has admired how students (and professors) navigate busy schedules, and, yet, she said, "everyone attends class, present in both body and mind, giving their best effort." Galeana is grateful for the mentorship of her professors and how they have encouraged her to go the extra mile, and her efforts to be her best have not gone unnoticed.

"Jenny distinguished herself as a brave and gifted student who quickly learned difficult material and participated spiritedly in class discussions, group exercises and office hours conversations," said Jon Eastwood, the William P. Ames Jr. Professor of Sociology. "She brings a great spirit, collaborative attitude, cogent questions and insightful observations to every session."

In addition to her studies, Galeana explored different extracurricular activities and began volunteering with the ESOL program, where she tutors a high school student. Her tutoring sessions with the student quickly became one of her favorite parts of the week; he would talk to her about his day at school, his friends and how he sometimes struggled with English but kept trying. As Galeana struggled to adjust to a different culture during her first weeks at W&L, the student's determination to keep pushing himself inspired her to do the same when she would struggle with English in a difficult class.

Galeana is confident that she'll carry W&L - the lessons, friends and experiences - with her after she graduates. She plans to start a career in entrepreneurship and create a business that helps others and makes a positive impact. After she has tested her ideas in the real world and learned the opportunities and challenges that come from running a business, Galeana will pursue a master's degree, with plans to study economics or business analytics. And as she embarks on her postgraduate plans, she will abide by the cultures of kindness and of doing your best that defined her W&L experience.

"That commitment to excellence [at W&L], even when it's difficult, and that dedication to being present when tired and persevering because it matters, that's what I admire most," Galeana said. "And that is, without a doubt, what I will take with me wherever I go."

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Putting Learning Into Practice

Jenny Galeana '26 has already found real-world applications for her W&L education in Científicamente Feliz, a social project she founded in Mexico that promotes mental health initiatives for youth.

Galeana noticed that administrative tasks, including tracking volunteer hours and reviewing the educational materials, took time and energy away from the project's mission; her friends who run their own social initiatives echoed concerns of being overwhelmed. Inspired to make a change, Galeana enrolled in the AI Management course this term at W&L to learn more about artificial intelligence and automation and apply these skills to Científicamente Feliz.

"I am proud to put into practice what I am learning and start automating small tasks in my project to work more efficiently," Galeana said.

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