Weinberg College Senior Spotlight: Meet Elana Charlson ’23

Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences celebrates the class of 2023! To commemorate their upcoming graduation, we’ve connected with a few seniors about their time at Weinberg College and future plans. Elana Charlson will be graduating in June with a major in Psychology and a minor in Global Health Studies. 

What did you study at Weinberg College and why? If applicable, please explain if your interests transformed or evolved during your time here.

I majored in Psychology and minored in Global Health Studies! I’ve always been interested in learning about how humans think and behave within the broader social context, so I initially gravitated toward psychology. Through research and extracurriculars, I became more interested in the intersections between health and human development, which is how I ended up doing a global health minor. I’ve since become more interested in public policy and access to healthcare.

Tell us a little bit about your interdisciplinary experience at Weinberg College. How did it prepare you for the future?

One of the most enriching parts of my Weinberg College experience was the opportunity to take courses across disciplines; many of my favorite classes have been in departments outside of my major/minor. I’ve been able to expand my worldview, engage in productive dialogue with peers who hold different perspectives from me, and hone my critical thinking skills. Even when taking classes across disciplines, I often felt there were similar themes and course materials that overlapped, which made it feel cohesive. 

Do you have a favorite or transformative Weinberg College course you took? Or a professor that taught you?

This one’s tough! So many courses and professors have moved me. Ben Gorvine is one of my favorite psychology professors; he takes the time to get to know his students, makes the material applicable to our lives, and supports our academic and personal development through his mentorship. Outside of the psychology department, one of the most transformative Weinberg College courses I took was SOC 276 – Critical Thought on Race and Ethnicity; Professor Bashi Treitler took us on a field trip to the Cook County Department of Corrections, where we were able to sit in on a court hearing. It was a unique opportunity to apply the topics we were learning about in a real-world setting and get to know our professor on a deeper level.

What advice would you give to future students?

Avoid having preconceived notions you have about what your academic and personal path should look like at Northwestern. College is the time to explore your curiosities and interests, and it’s perfectly okay if they don’t lead you to a specific career path. Also, take the time to support fellow students and their passions – whether that’s attending a theater or music performance, dance shows, speaker events, etc. — you have so many opportunities at your disposal (many of which are free!).

What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduation, I will be moving to Washington, DC to work at a healthcare policy consulting firm!