Meet Daniel Reiter ’26 Reiter has carved his own path at W&L by designing a major that combines his interests in theater, business, communications and law.

Office of Communications and Public Affairs
May 13, 2025

Daniel Reiter ’26
Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Major: Arts management

Have you discovered a course or topic that you didn’t expect to study when you first came to W&L?
When I first came to W&L, I never thought I’d end up studying arts policy or spending a semester doing political work in Washington, D.C., but Washington Term completely changed that. The program lets students intern in D.C. while taking a political science course, and it’s one of the best ways to get hands-on experience with how government actually works.

Brian Alexander, associate professor of politics, runs the program, and he’s the kind of professor who makes you think critically about politics in a way that goes beyond just theory. He pushes students to engage with real-world policy issues and challenges them to be the best versions of themselves.

During my time in D.C., I worked on arts policy with Americans for the Arts, which wasn’t something I had originally planned on studying. But being there and attending hearings, lobbying for arts funding and seeing how advocacy organizations interact with the government made me realize how much I care about the intersection of policy and entertainment. It also helped me make connections and get a better sense of how things actually get done in Washington.

Looking back, I never expected to go down this path, but Washington Term and my experience with arts policy in D.C. ended up shaping a lot of what I want to do in the future.

Where is your “home” on campus?
I feel most at home in three places on campus. First, the Lenfest Center for the Arts. Being surrounded by the energy of the theater, music and art exhibitions always makes me feel connected to the creative pulse of the university. Whether I’m attending a performance or just wandering through the hallways lined with artwork by my fellow classmates, it’s a place where I can recharge and get inspired.

Second, the Gilliam Admissions House is another place where I feel at home. Having worked as a University Ambassador and now as vice president of in-person logistics and future president of the University Ambassadors program, I’m always interacting with prospective students and sharing my love for W&L. It’s a space that represents the welcoming spirit of the university, and it’s where I’ve made a lot of meaningful connections.

Lastly, the Commons, which houses the Student Activities, Residence Life and Career and Professional Development (CPD) offices, is another space that feels like home. As an RA, now the first-year residential experience coordinator and next year’s senior RA, I spend a lot of time in Commons, whether it’s meeting with students, collaborating with my ResLife team or organizing events. It’s a place where I can stop by for advice on everything from internships to navigating student life. With all the connections I’ve made through Residence Life and Student Activities, it’s really become the heart of campus life for me.

These three places: the Lenfest Center for the Arts, the Gilliam Admissions House and Commons are where I feel the most grounded and connected to the W&L community.

What has been your most impactful experience at W&L, either on or off-campus?
One of the most impactful experiences I’ve had at W&L has been creating my own major in arts management. I’ve always wanted to study a little bit of everything, and my freshman year, I attended a Career and Professional Development event with Yale Law. The admissions officer there recommended that if I had these broad academic interests, I should design my own major. That advice stuck with me, and for the next year and a half, I worked with professor of dance and theater Jenefer Davies, visiting assistant professor of business administration Andi Coulter and Associate Dean of the College and associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry Fred LaRiviere to make it happen.

The process wasn’t simple. I had to put together a 40-page proposal, researching other programs, mapping out my coursework and making the case for why this major was necessary. But it was worth it. Arts management lets me combine my passions for theater, business, communications, law and entertainment, giving me a well-rounded education that prepares me for a career in the industry. I’ve been able to take advantage of W&L’s broad range of opportunities, from classes across different departments to hands-on experiences through internships.

What’s even more rewarding is that W&L is now working on creating an arts management minor, meaning more students will have access to this field in a structured way. Looking back, this experience taught me how to take initiative, advocate for my education and shape my own path. It also reinforced how supportive W&L can be when students have a clear vision for what they want to achieve.

Have you found a mentor on campus? Who is it, and how have they helped you develop as a student?
One person who really inspires me and has been an incredible mentor is Lorri Olan, senior associate director of CPD and pre-law/arts and entertainment adviser. She’s not technically a professor, but I meet with her multiple times a week — sometimes I’m sure I bother her a bit, but she’s always so welcoming and helpful. I truly feel valued every time we meet. What’s especially amazing is how much she goes out of her way to think about my goals after our meetings. She follows up with arts alumni, organizations and potential internships, always making sure I have access to the best opportunities. It’s clear that she’s genuinely invested in my success, and that level of care makes a huge difference.

What book has made a significant impact on your life?
The book that has made the most significant impact on my life is “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni. I read it as part of the Residence Life leadership team, and it really shifted my perspective on teamwork and leadership. The book outlines common challenges teams face, like lack of trust or poor communication, and provides practical strategies for overcoming them. It’s helped me not only become a better leader within Residence Life but also to understand how to build stronger, more effective teams in other areas of my life. The insights from the book have shaped how I approach collaboration, and it’s something I continue to reflect on in my role as an RA and FYRE coordinator and upcoming senior RA.

What are your hobbies/interests? How has W&L helped you develop and pursue them?
Theater, musical theater and singing have always been a huge part of my life, and W&L has given me so many opportunities to continue exploring those passions. Ever since playing Humpty Dumpty in elementary school, I’ve been involved in all aspects of the arts — whether it’s performing, stage management or arts education.

At W&L, I’ve been able to take theater courses, engage with the performing arts community and even create my own arts management major to dive deeper into how the arts are structured and supported. Beyond just performing, I’m passionate about arts education and making sure that creative opportunities are available to everyone. Through my studies and experiences, I’ve learned how arts organizations function, how they’re funded and how they can grow to reach broader audiences.

W&L’s liberal arts approach has allowed me to combine my interests in theater, business, law and communications in a way that prepares me for a career in the arts and entertainment industry. Whether through classes, extracurriculars or hands-on experiences, W&L has helped me take my love for the arts and turn it into something I can build my future around.

Have you studied abroad during your time at W&L? Where did you go, and how was your experience?
While I haven’t studied abroad in the traditional sense, I had the opportunity to participate in the Washington Term program at W&L, which allowed me to live and work in Washington, D.C., while taking a Washington & Lee University politics course with professor Brian Alexander. It was an incredible experience to immerse myself in the political and arts worlds simultaneously. During my time in D.C., I interned with Americans for the Arts, where I led lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill for arts legislation, including advocating for arts education and the National Endowment for the Arts. I also worked with my supervisors and coordinated a virtual advocacy event that brought together over 300 advocates from 45 states to meet with their Congress members, which was a powerful way to make a direct impact.

Having class in D.C. was a unique experience because I was able to learn about government and policy while seeing those topics play out in real time. I also had the chance to meet with alumni who are working in government and policy-related fields, which gave me a broader perspective on career opportunities. It was amazing to combine both practical experience and academic learning in such a dynamic setting. My work at Americans for the Arts also allowed me to directly contribute to preserving over $95 million for the arts and humanities through strategic messaging that reached over 400,000 members nationwide. This experience solidified my passion for arts advocacy and has shaped how I plan to use my skills moving forward.

Fun fact:
Fun fact No. 1: I’ve been to all seven continents! Traveling has been a huge part of my life, and getting to experience different cultures, landscapes and perspectives has shaped the way I see the world.

Fun fact No. 2: I went to an arts school for both middle school and high school, where I focused on musical theater. I had the chance to perform for the president, work behind the scenes and even dive into arts administration.