From Meghan Sussex to George R R Martin, the Northwestern Alumni Students Want to Meet

Northwestern’s alumni list holds global influence, but for current students, those names feel close. They see careers that began in Evanston and expanded into media, culture, and public life. When students name the alumni they want to meet, they focus on visibility, craft, and endurance rather than celebrity.

Alumni As Living Blueprints

For journalism seniors, alumni success often feels close. Madison Morgan points to Mara Brock Akil as proof that reporting skills can lead to cultural storytelling. The creator of Girlfriends, Akil also developed Netflix’s 2025 series Forever, a modern adaptation of Judy Blume’s novel that centers Black teen love and coming of age. Her work shows how disciplined training can grow into stories with lasting reach.

That same sense of proximity shapes how students view Meghan Sussex. Her career spans acting, advocacy, and public leadership. Students remember her wedding as a cultural moment, but they also recall the scrutiny that followed. Her ability to sustain a public voice despite that pressure resonates with students who expect visibility to come with cost.

Storytelling That Shapes Culture

Narrative power draws many students to alumni whose work anchors family rituals. Chloe Pestano Que grew up watching Game of Thrones, which sparked her interest in George R. R. Martin. She values the patience required to build worlds that reward attention. That discipline mirrors her own goals in creative writing and long-form storytelling.

Students who admire expansive fiction often talk about control. They note how sustained narratives demand clarity and restraint. Northwestern’s training supports that balance by pairing imagination with structure.

Humor Power And Public Voice

For others, influence arrives through humor. Camille Haines credits Stephen Colbert with shaping how she engages with politics. His approach shows how comedy can hold attention while testing ideas. Thomas Bakos looks to Ziwe Fumudoh for her sharp exchanges and refusal to soften questions. He wants to know whether he could keep pace in that space.

Across fields, students see alumni as evidence of range. Northwestern’s impact extends beyond prestige. It appears in how students imagine their own futures, informed by people who once walked the same campus paths.