This spring, the Office of Alumni Engagement is sharing the stories of graduating students as they both look back on their time at Pratt and look ahead toward the future. See their first-year and last-year photos and read about what they’ll remember, what they’ll miss, where they’re headed, and what advice they have for other Pratt students.
Zhiyu Huang | BFA Communications Design ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
Having a class outside of the building with sunshine on everyone’s face after the pandemic.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
Nice choice to cut your hair and make it blonde.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The really comfortable seating on the third floor in the Communications Design Department.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Enjoy sunshine and take a rest on the main lawn if it’s a nice day!
Where are you headed after graduation?
New York and China.
Aaron Nisbett | BID ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
One afternoon I assembled a new furniture design and was trying to stomach the excitement before I had to transition into a competitive headspace immediately after. That evening the [men’s basketball] team defeated a team that consecutively beat us the seasons prior. Celebrating that day with my teammates and peers is a memory that won’t fade.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
Don’t be so reserved and to nourish those relationships that matter to you.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The convenience of everything a young adult would desire.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Have an open mind, meet people, share experiences, explore, and most importantly, take advantage of the resources Pratt and its alumni have to offer.
Where are you headed after graduation?
Next, I’ll be fulfilling roles that allow me to learn, feed my interests, and apply my passion for composing beautiful and compelling experiences.
Catherine Massa | BFA Communications Design ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
I’ve played a weekly Dungeons & Dragons game with a close group of friends since freshman year. It’s how I met my closest friends at Pratt. To this day we still play, and plan to continue well past graduation. I can’t pick a specific time that we played as the most memorable, but that entire ritual has been such an important part of my social life while here.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
I took this photo in the early days of COVID lockdown. At the time I was really upset about missing opportunities and losing my college experience by being online. I would tell myself to worry less about that. Looking back I was healthy and so were my loved ones, which is what really mattered. I seriously took that for granted.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is the people and community that I’ve come to love. Being around others who are so creative and skilled at their craft has been an honor. I know I will stay in touch with the people I met here for the rest of my life, truly.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Treat every assignment like an opportunity to make something you’re really proud of! I think I only really grasped the fact that I had control over the quality of my work in junior year. Up until then I had just been making art and hoping it would turn out nice. The sooner you treat every assignment like it could be a star in your portfolio, the better.
Where are you headed after graduation?
Good question! It’s still a work in progress, but I plan to stay in the New York metro area and try to find some work. Hopefully I’ll have a little rest period, though, where I can spend some time with friends and family.
Deanna Colondona | BFA Interior Design ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
Being a part of the women’s volleyball team.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
To be patient and good things will come.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The creativity and freedom.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
That everything will work out. You just have to be patient and you’ll love it.
Where are you headed after graduation?
To work for a company in Southold and be an interior designer.
Noa Gudelunas | BFA Communications Design ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
Hanging out on the grass during a sunny spring day with friends.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
You’re a woman.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The studios! Most of the crazy machinery we have on campus and get to use.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
No one is worth being intimidated by.
Where are you headed after graduation?
Staying in Brooklyn!
Mikey Henriquez (AKA: Mikey, Papi Diva, Henriquez) | BFA Communications Design ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
Being in the Center of Equity and Inclusion, basement of the Main Hall, Room 004, where students, faculty, and staff collected themselves to organize for social justice, equity, and love.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
You earned a spot here. Remember why you’re here—for you, and your family and for your brothers and sisters who were told they would fail rather than succeed. I promise at the end of a long day, when you wipe your tears, mute out the chatter, and focus on your dreams, passion, and purpose, you’ll make it out. I promise you, a million times over. I love you.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
Pronto’s… them Caesar salad wraps were bomb.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
My mother always said to me, “Tunnel vision, like a horse. Don’t look left, don’t look right, and most definitely don’t look back. Focus on the dream and chase it. Don’t worry about what everyone else is bringing, just make sure you’re bringing your best.”
Where are you headed after graduation?
“Came in the game with a beat and a bounce, Never for the fame, my feet on the ground, Cloud number nine, headed to the stars, I’m going to ride with my mic in my bra.”
–Azealia Banks, 1991
Sally (Min Jae) Kim | BFA Art and Design Education ’23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
I would have to say that my most memorable experience is getting the best education along with meeting the most heartwarming friends, professors, and faculty members who allowed me to be who I am now.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
I would encourage my younger self that all of my hard endeavors are paid back to me in the future.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is the strong bonds and relationship within the Pratt community.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
Pratt changed my life to grow, improve, and to know more about myself. Experiences at school from both the PrattMWP campus and Brooklyn campus, along with being an International Student Representative, allowed me to enrich all of my experiences. Get involved in Pratt’s activities and actively be engaged in our community!
Where are you headed after graduation?
I will be working as a full-time art teacher after my graduation.
Seb Torrens | BFA Communications Design ‘23
What was your most memorable experience at Pratt?
The night I remember the most was the Orientation Block Party where I met most of my friends.
Looking back at this photo, what would you tell your younger self?
I would tell myself to go outside of my comfort zone and go out to meet new people to network and embrace new ideas.
Finish this sentence: “The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is…”
The one thing I will miss most about Pratt is hanging out with friends in the studio and boosting people’s spirits when we’re in the final hour.
What advice would you give to new Pratt students?
I would tell Pratt students to think about how their work will impact others and always remind themselves why they’re here when times are tough!
The 2023 graduating student photo series is a project of Pratt Institutional Advancement/Alumni Engagement. Follow this year’s graduates on their journey to becoming alumni as they celebrate on social media with the hashtags #PrattGrad23 and #PrattAlumni.