image of Marist students at research poster fair.

Kylie Toomes

Image of Kylie Toomes.

Kylie Toomes

Greensboro, North Carolina

Academic School

Computer Science and Math

Campus

New York

For Kylie Toomes, a Mathematics major with minors in Chemistry and Social Justice, choosing Marist was about finding the right balance of academic challenge and global perspective. 鈥淢arist鈥檚 First Year Abroad program immediately stood out to me,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he chance to start college overseas was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that aligned perfectly with my desire to get the most out of my abroad experience.鈥

Her freshman year studying abroad in Dublin was life-changing. 鈥淭he First Year Abroad program lets you use the country as a classroom,鈥 she explained. Study tours, including a trip to Northern Ireland, brought the natural beauty, history, and culture to life, deepening her experience. The program also emphasized environmental responsibility, such as planting trees to offset their carbon footprint, grounding her in the importance of sustainability.

She credits these experiences with broadening her worldview and shaping her ambitions. 鈥淲ithout going abroad freshman year, I would have never gained the perspectives that led me to change what I want to do for the rest of my life.鈥 Initially a chemistry major, after conversations with professors, she shifted to mathematics, a field that sharpens her critical thinking and problem-solving skills, to better prepare for her goal of becoming a government attorney and, ultimately, a judge focused on equitable justice.

To students considering mathematics at Marist, she advises: 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about numbers鈥攊t鈥檚 about learning how to think.鈥 The faculty truly want you to succeed, so don鈥檛 hesitate to seek help. You鈥檒l find a supportive community that celebrates your growth. she said.
Beyond academics, she is part of the Honors Program and Marist鈥檚 and actively involved in several campus organizations. Presenting at an international conference on mental health and media while studying abroad also helped her connect her academic interests with her passion for advocacy.

Her Marist journey, she reflects, 鈥渉elped me realize I don鈥檛 just want a career. I want to leave a legacy of change, no matter how big or small. And it all started with a leap of faith in Dublin.鈥

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