Ella Sheehan '26: The Small Moments That Shape a Duke Experience

Ella Sheehan is a senior from Austin, Texas majoring in Economics with a minor in Political Science. In additional to serving as a Trinity Ambassador, she has been involved in the Economics Student Union, Club Lacrosse, Business Oriented Women and Runway of Dreams. She studied abroad in London and completed a summer internship at Barclays as an operations analyst. In her free time, Sheehan enjoys hiking, painting and trying new restaurants. 

As the academic year draws to a close, we asked Sheehan to reflect on her time at Duke, the experiences that shaped her and the lessons she hopes to carry forward after graduation. 

This interview has been edited for clarity and length. 

Looking back over the past four years, is there a small moment that didn’t seem very important at the time but was actually impactful in retrospect? How did that moment shape your path? 

I often think about the small moments on East Campus during freshman year. Some of my favorite memories are simple ones like walking from dorm to dorm with friends or gathering in the common room to catch up with people I had just met. 

There was something special about that time when everyone was new and figuring things out together. The warmth and openness of those early weeks led to friendships that lasted all four years. Looking back, those small moments of meeting people and trying new things made a bigger difference than I realized at the time. 

What advice or message would you give to your first-year self — or to an incoming first-year at Duke? 

Spend as much time with your friends as you can and surround yourself with people who inspire you to be your best self. Take advantage of Duke’s many resources and don’t be afraid to try new things. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors and see challenges as opportunities. Being busy with meaningful activities is a privilege. Cherish the experience and make the most of every day. 

As you prepare to graduate, what are you most grateful for from your time at Duke? 

I’m most grateful for the support network I found over the past four years. From upperclassmen who took the time to talk with me as a freshman, to friends who encouraged me when it mattered most — that sense of community meant a lot. 

I’m also thankful for the chance to connect with professors and get involved in so many student groups. As I move forward, I hope to carry with me the initiative, drive and support that I experienced from the Duke community.