Get to Know the Newest Members of the W&L Community – 7/9/25 The following individuals recently joined the Washington and Lee employee workforce.

Communications & Public Affairs
July 9, 2025

Tara Cooper ’19, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology – The College

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I graduated from W&L in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience. I also majored in East Asian language & literature with a concentration in Japanese and enjoyed participating in the Japanese Tea Society. I continued my education at the University of Florida, receiving my Ph.D. in medical sciences with a concentration in neuroscience in 2024.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I am a huge video game nerd and mostly play rogue-like or role-playing games. I have been raiding with a new World of Warcraft guild for the past year, which has become my favorite pastime. I also love to cook, experimenting with different recipes and types of food from around the world.

Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
This isn’t advice from someone I know personally, but Kurt Vonnegut’s thought that “a step backward, after making a wrong turn, is a step in the right direction” defined my perspective on graduate school research and the inevitable setbacks to projects.

---

Amy Earnest, Associate Director of Law School Advancement – The Law School

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I am originally from Florida but was raised in, and consider, Pennsylvania to be ‘home.’ I have one adult son who was just married in June. I received my bachelor’s degree in business management from Wilson College.  I am an avid sports fan (go Phillies and Eagles), love to explore (the outdoors, new cities/towns, etc.), listen to live music and read.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I unwind with a good book and have fun by spending time with my family and friends.

Q. Best advice anyone has ever given you?
Do what you’re afraid to do.

---

James Lambert, Director of Lifelong Learning Programs – University Advancement

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I have a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and I love Renaissance Poetry. I am a teacher, and I am good at it by training.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I read, bike, walk and talk. I used to dance a lot — and I still like to. I love to go to church, any church, because I love religion.

Q. Any favorite Lexington or regional spots or activities that you are excited about?
I like biking around town. I wish the roads were larger for bikes, but there is not a single road that isn’t beautiful to bike.

---

Fosca Maddaloni-Yu, Curatorial Fellow – The Museums at W&L

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Rome, Italy, and spent several years living and studying in China before moving to the U.S. in 2016. I have a Master of Arts in East Asian studies from Sapienza University (Italy), a Master of Arts in art history from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University and recently completed my Ph.D. in the history of art and architecture at Brown University.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I’m pretty low-key when it comes to unwinding — I love tending to my plants, spending time with my cats, friends and family, and getting lost in a good book. Nothing too flashy, but it makes me happy!

Q. Anything you are looking forward to in particular at W&L?
I’m really looking forward to being part of a close-knit academic community and getting to know both students and colleagues across campus. I’m especially excited about working with the museum collections and exploring ways to connect classroom teaching with hands-on experiences.

---

Sofie Ramirez, Jewish Life Program Director – Student Affairs

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m from Long Island, New York and spent my entire life in New York life until now! I graduated from Hofstra University (also on Long Island) with a bachelor’s in Criminology with minors in Philosophy of Law and Latin American & Caribbean Studies. I was an active part of Hofstra’s Hillel and am just coming from NYU’s Hillel having spent the past two years as their engagement coordinator. My mom and my two sisters have moved to Orlando, Florida in the last few years, while my dad and his family have stayed in Queens. I’m making this move all by myself, so while I’m a bit nervous, I’m very excited to become a part of the W&L community and see all that Lexington has to offer.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I can have fun doing pretty much anything, so long as I’m in good company! I am very excited to get back outdoors. Living in the city had me missing nature. My hidden talent is single-handedly assembling all of the furniture I’ve gotten so far (though I would like to shout out Zach Funkhouser for helping me carry a heavy box up my staircase).

Q. Any favorite Lexington or regional spots or activities that you are excited about?
I’ve very excited to get back into rock climbing! It was a hobby of mine back in college and I haven’t climbed consistently in years. I’d love to learn more about the outing club and go to the parks near campus.

---

Caitlyn Thompkins ’25, DeLaney Center Postbaccalaureate Fellow

Q. Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Most of my family is also in Houston, so I spend a lot of time with them! As a student at W&L, I majored in sociology with a double minor in mass communication and Africana studies.

Q. How do you unwind or have fun? Any hobbies or hidden talents?
I love to indoor rock climb and paint. I am also learning to play guitar.

Q. Any favorite Lexington or regional spots or activities that you are excited about?
My favorite activity in Lexington is to run the trails, especially near the creek. The nature here is always so beautiful.