Meet Bella Ferrate ’26 Ferrate chose W&L for its accredited Williams School and the ability to embrace the liberal arts experience.

Major: Business Administration
Minor: Japanese
Hometown: Salem, Virginia

Why did you choose to come to W&L? 

I chose W&L because of the Williams School. I knew early on that I wanted to study business and that AACSB accreditation mattered to me. As I looked at schools on the East Coast, I kept coming back to how much I liked the feel of smaller liberal arts campuses. At many universities, pursuing business would have meant giving up the liberal arts experience that I value. W&L stood out as a place where I could pursue both.

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn’t expect to study when you first came to W&L? 

Yes — honestly, it’s a really long list. One of the biggest surprises has been an education course, which ended up becoming one of my favorites. Some of my gym classes also make the list, like weightlifting and self-defense.

Where is your “home” on campus?

From classes to cultural events, I’ve spent so much time in CGL (the Ruscio Center for Global Learning) that it truly feels like home. Studying a foreign language has allowed me to meet some of my closest friends and connect with the welcoming community that all the language departments have built. I love being surrounded by people passionate about international education, and I’ve met so many inspiring peers in CGL, many of whom have graduated and are now living and working around the world.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
My most impactful experience has been participating in Mock Con as part of the Communications Department. Over two years, I got to see how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to put on an event of that scale. Being part of that team made me feel connected both to the current student body and to the generations of students who have participated in Mock Con over the years.

Who is your mentor on campus, and how have they helped you develop as a student? 

I would have to say Professor Janet Ikeda. As one of my advisors, she has been an incredible source of support throughout my university experience. In and out of the classroom, she has helped me develop a resilient, growth-focused mindset that I will carry with me after graduation. Especially as an underclassman, it’s easy to get caught up in exams and memorizing material, but she consistently reminded me that college is not just about learning content, it’s also about learning about yourself. She has helped me step back, see the bigger picture and approach challenges with curiosity and perspective.

What was your favorite class and why? 

My favorite class was Volcanoes of the U.S. during Spring Term! In Professor Barber’s earth and environmental geoscience lab, we traveled across the western United States, visiting Yellowstone, the Columbia River basalt province, Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. I had no idea western North America was so volcanically diverse, and seeing it firsthand made the experience unforgettable.

What are your hobbies/interests, and how has W&L helped you develop and pursue them? 

I’ve always been passionate about photography, writing and sustainability. In high school, serving as editor-in-chief of our yearbook sparked my love for telling stories through images and words, and that continues as I’ve worked as a student photographer for W&L’s Communications Office. I love attending events across campus and learning from all the new people I meet!

As a peer consultant in the Writing Center, I get to help students find their voice and gain confidence in expressing themselves, which is incredibly rewarding.

Sustainability has also been a big part of my life here; through Compost Crew, where I served as co-head, I help collect compost from dining locations for a program that sequesters an average of 17 tons of carbon annually. Being able to pursue what I love while making a tangible impact on the community has made my time at W&L deeply meaningful.

What has been your greatest accomplishment since arriving at W&L? 

Since arriving at W&L, my greatest accomplishment has been participating in the 2025 Entrepreneurship Summit. Through my Social Entrepreneurship course, my group spent a semester developing a business plan focused on social impact. At the end of the term, we presented our project, a web-based platform connecting college students as tutors with local public school students, at the Student Showcase during the summit. After being voted as one of the top projects, we did a live pitch on stage and ultimately became the first W&L students to win the newly introduced Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Prize. In addition to the $1,000 award, we earned the opportunity to compete nationally for $10,000 in follow-on funding. That class and experience fundamentally changed how I think about the purpose of business and its potential to create meaningful social impact.

Have you studied abroad during your time at W&L? Where did you go, and how was your experience? 

Yes, I studied abroad in Japan at International Christian University during the summer between my sophomore and junior years, and I can’t fully express how life-changing it was. I lived in a dormitory with local students and took Japanese language and culture courses, which gave me a deeper understanding of daily life in Japan. I participated in field trips around Tokyo, including a Zen Buddhist monastery, a traditional tea ceremony, a futuristic recycling center and the Skytree (the tallest tower in the world), and I also had the opportunity to interview local residents. I loved the experience so much that I returned to Japan the following summer to participate in the Japan-America Student Conference, a youth diplomacy program.

How have your experiences at W&L prepared you for post-graduate success? 

My experiences at W&L have not only taught me important skills but also helped me clarify what I want to do after graduation. In the Business Administration Department, I’ve had many professors who challenged us to think critically about topics like artificial intelligence, which has inspired me to pursue a career in AI governance.

I think W&L is unique because this high level of academic rigor exists within an incredibly collaborative and supportive learning culture. In my classes, everyone is motivated and driven yet genuinely invested in each other’s success rather than competing. Being part of this environment has helped me gain confidence and strengthen my communication and public speaking skills. Experiencing this kind of environment and community has shown me what I want to create and maintain in my professional life after graduation.

Who or what inspires you?

I’ve been inspired by so many people on campus who model balance, rest and authenticity by pursuing goals that reflect their values. Watching them stay true to what matters most to them, even amid busy schedules, reminds me to live intentionally and prioritize well-being while staying true to my own values.