Meet the Four SoPA Graduating Seniors Selected for the Tulane 34

Four graduating students from Tulane School of Professional Advancement now rank among the “Tulane 34”, a select group of 34 high achievers chosen for the university’s most prestigious student honor. Learn about the following students selected for leadership, academic excellence, service, and community endeavors in 2020.

Molly Gummersheimer, MPS in Homeland Security Studies

After earning an undergraduate degree in psychology and criminology, Molly began working as a federal law enforcement official, assigned to New Orleans. Currently, she is on loan to an intelligence agency in the D.C. area, conducting research on national security matters and working to strengthen the intelligence community’s mission of collaboration.

Lilian Maldonado-Garcia, BA in General Legal Studies

An immigrant from Honduras, Lilian came to the U.S. at age 14, knowing no English. After high school graduation, she started working full-time as a legal secretary, having become eligible to work and go to school in the U.S. through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. After starting at Delgado Community College, she transferred to Tulane in spring 2017, where she became an honors student despite working 40 hours a week to pay her tuition. As an immigration paralegal, Lilian assists individuals with applications for asylum and special visas for victims of crimes. She plans to attend law school.

Musa Guillerman, BA in Digital Design

After growing up in the French Quarter, Musa traveled the globe as a DJ. When she returned to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, she enrolled at Tulane, where she excelled in her digital design and English studies while continuing to make art and volunteering at Belle Reve, a residential facility for people living with HIV/AIDS. She will head to London in Summer 2020 for a design internship.

Lauren Andress, BA in Digital Design

Demonstrating leadership in SoPA’s AIGA chapter and community-based design work for nonprofit organizations, Lauren completed her degree while working full-time in the hospitality sector. She is now pursuing a career as an instructional designer with plans to earn a graduate degree in instructional design.

Named after the year of Tulane’s founding—1834—these awards are among the most coveted distinctions bestowed at Commencement. If you'd like the chance to become one of Tulane 34 someday and take courses designed to enhance your career, the Tulane School of Professional Advancement provides a rich catalog of programs and resources for professionals. Follow our career development events page to learn more.