By Maddie Brewer ’23
Dr. Samantha Borders-Shoemaker ’12
B.A. in history
Borders-Shoemaker is an author, poet and conflict resolution specialist. Her latest book, “Waiting for Scotland,” is her second, full-length poetry collection. Her other works include “Frankenstein & the Phoenix,” “Rooted in Time” and “The Conscious Objection.” She lives in Smithfield, Va., where she is cultivating a conservation program for Choctaw Indian Ponies. She says Dr. Sally Hitchmough’s course on 19th century British literature had a profound impact on helping her discover her poetic voice and style.
Ellis Goodwin ’22
B.S. in biology
Ellis Goodwin is working on his doctorate in physical therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He’s also running EAG Enterprises, a vending machine business. Goodwin started his first clinical rotation and is keeping an open mind about the specialty he plans to pursue, but he’s leaning toward sports, orthopedics or acute care. “My Wofford experience and the education I received prepared me for the challenges and coursework in PT school,” says Goodwin. “Having a liberal arts background helps me analyze situations with a broader world view.”
Khoi Nguyen ’17
B.S. in environmental studies
Khoi Nguyen got his start at Palmetto Brewing Company and later became head brewer and partner of Ghost Monkey Brewery in Mount Pleasant, S.C. With Nguyen as brew master, the brewery was nominated for Charleston’s best cold beer. “During my time at Wofford, I secured a couple of internships working at a winery in Virginia. The environmental studies major taught me that there are career opportunities outside the traditional tracks,” he says. “If it wasn’t for that program, I never would’ve thought to pursue the alcohol space as a career.”
Rik Ujaan ’21
B.A. in international affairs
Rik Ujaan works at Elliott Davis as an audit associate in Charlotte, N.C., and is completing requirements for his CPA license. In May 2022, he completed a master’s degree in accounting at Wake Forest University. “Being required to take many classes across different disciplines is a good thing,” Ujaan says. “I took four accounting classes while trying to take a variety of classes, and that’s how I found an interest in it. Almost any professor I had, I was impacted by them and walked away a better student and person.”
Olivia Vasquez ’18
B.A. in government
Vasquez completed the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort program in Germany immediately after graduation, then became a travel agent for Jet Set World Travel in Atlanta, Ga. She now works as an international relations manager at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. “I’ve always loved world politics,” she says. “I handle all diplomatic and Middle East guests who stay here, so it’s funny how I ended up working for diplomats on a level that is not actually working in public policy but booking their hotel rooms. It’s been awesome.”
Chase Wolfe ’14
B.A. in Chinese, B.S. in chemistry
Chase Wolfe recently appeared in the second season of “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” on FOX. He also will play the lead in the nationally touring Broadway production of “Pretty Woman: The Musical.” When not acting, he works on a cruise ship. “The fact that I have two degrees gets me about an extra minute and a half in every audition room. They talk to me and see who I am as a person,” he says.