Gianna D. Trippiedi
Gianna D. Trippiedi
Class Year
’22
Current home
Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Major(s)
Psychology
Current Position
Doctor of Optometry Candidate at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
Gianna D. Trippiedi ’22 is a second-year student in the Doctor of Optometry program at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry. She’s working to become an eye doctor.
Despite living in Puerto Rico, Ms. Trippiedi does her best to stay involved with Carthage. She keeps close contact with her Alpha Chi Omega family and supports the women’s lacrosse team by watching their livestreams. Additionally, she keeps close contact with some of her professors and fellow graduates. “I stay involved with the Carthage community because I know I will always have a home at Carthage College!”
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
“Being in Puerto Rico has been such an amazing experience. I have met so many bright and wonderful people since moving here in 2022. My program is also a bilingual program, so I am actively learning how to give eye exams in Spanish and English! That is one big thing about my school that sets it apart from the rest of the optometry schools in the US! You don’t realize how intricate the eye really is and how the eye can actually show early indicators of other conditions that you may have not seen as soon otherwise, leading to an earlier diagnosis and (hopefully) a better prognosis!”
How did Carthage prepare you?
“At Carthage, I was very involved in Greek life, clubs, and played on the varsity women’s lacrosse team my senior year! There are many aspects from my Carthage experience that helped me prepare for where I am today, but a few major aspects include when I held my position as VP of diversity, equity, and inclusion in my sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, joining the lacrosse team, and my on-campus jobs. My position as VP of DEI allowed me to explore and share new cultures, holidays, and religious practices!”
“Joining the lacrosse team was one of the best decisions I made while at Carthage. Lacrosse allowed me to learn a brand new skill while being active and expanding my Carthage network! Since I had never played lacrosse prior to joining, I knew it was going to be a learning curve. I wanted to challenge myself to truly learn the game and play to the best of my ability.”
“I worked a few different jobs in the Office of Admissions during my time at Carthage. I began working in the filing room my freshman year. I then transitioned to working in the main Admissions office, where I would greet families, schedule and give tours, and take phone calls at the front desk. This allowed me to work on my interpersonal skills and public speaking daily!”
Why did you choose Carthage?
“It was Lake Michigan being our next-door neighbor that sold me! I also had a very impromptu meeting and conversation with Professor David Brownholland about the pre-medical track during my tour of Carthage. It really made me feel comfortable with Carthage academics and inspired me to continue my goal of working in the medical field!”
What opportunities were made possible because of your Carthage experience?
“I truly think my Carthage experience has played a role in most, if not all, opportunities I have received post-grad. My time at Carthage allowed me to enhance my strengths, identify areas in need of growth, and build confidence in who I am and where I see myself in the future. This ‘goal driven’ mindset has allowed me to jump into any opportunity that comes my way and not fear the journey, but embrace and experience it! A few opportunities that fall into this category since I’ve graduated from Carthage include my class presidency position, my future position as Student Council president, and the opportunity to be one of the few EssilorLuxottica student ambassadors during the American Academy of Optometry Academy Conference this past year. I got to film and post content on my social media platforms during the whole conference!”
What Carthage professors played a part in your success and how?
“I had so many wonderful professors during my Carthage experience. The relationships I had with my professors allowed me to be the best student I could be. They always encouraged me and supported me, even when I was struggling! I would really love to name all of my professors, but a few who had significant impact on my time at Carthage include professors David Brownholland, Paul Martino, Annette Duncan, Kateryna Sylaska, and Dennis Munk!”
What's your favorite Carthage memory?
“Some of my favorite Carthage memories include Homecoming, our lacrosse spring break trip to North Carolina, and meeting so many driven, unique, and talented people!”
Tips for current Carthage students?
“My advice to students is to say yes! Of course, the goal of college is to learn, graduate, and get a job, but that’s not all that life is about. Say yes to going to dinner with your friends. Say yes to randomly joining a varsity athletics team for a sport you’ve never played. Say yes to a night out. Learn to just say yes, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your academics or academic performance. As you continue on in your life and in your career, you begin to feel you have less and less time to do spontaneous things (at least that’s how I feel), so just say yes while you have the time in college!”