4 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN | FROM THE NEST As the Class of 2026 carries their Lehigh experiences into bright futures, many of their most meaningful moments were shaped by the relationships they built along the way. For recent graduates like Sydney Parlett ʼ26 and Sameen Mariaca ʼ26, purposeful partnerships with alumni played a defining role in helping them reach success on their academic and professional journeys. Those partnerships were forged in small moments as students—a team practice or a meeting over coffee—yet made a large impression and blossomed into meaningful mentorship that helped shape their paths. These mentors offered guidance, advice and support, helping Parlett and Mariaca navigate experiences and opportunities that prepared them for their futures. Fielding Dreams, Engineering the Future Parlettʼs path to her future as an associate industrial engineer at Northrop Grumman unexpectedly started in the dugout as a member of the womenʼs softball team. Inspired by former teammate Amanda Greaney ʼ24, who balanced athletics with rigorous academics as a mechanical engineering major, Parlett found the confidence to pursue a bachelorʼs degree in industrial and systems engineering. Now, Parlett is preparing to make her mark in the defense industry—a goal she has dreamed of since she was a firstyear student. “I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do after I had spoken to that upperclassman on the softball team,ˮ Parlett said. “Working in defense and helping our nation with its missions is something thatʼs really important to me.ˮ As a former catcher, utility player and captain on the softball team, Parlett said she had many memorable moments on and off the field, from defeating Alabama during the opening week of her freshman year season to learning about different disciplines and paths in engineering from her teammates early on. “I wouldnʼt have chosen industrial and systems engineering if it werenʼt for the upperclassmen that were with me on the team at that moment,ˮ Parlett said. “Hearing them talk about it and their guidance helped me ultimately decide that thatʼs what I wanted to do. Having student-athlete engineers around me definitely made a big impact on my decision-making.ˮ One of the most influential was Greaney, a catcher who spent extended The Partnerships That Carried the Class of 2026 Recent graduates and their alumni mentors are among those who found community, collaboration and purpose through partnership at Lehigh. By Lauren Thein and Katie Clarke CHRISTA NEU Sydney Parlett ’26 Amanda Greaney ʼ24 (left) inspired Sydney Parlett ʼ26 (right) to pursue a career in industrial engineering.
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