Largest Incoming Class Ever Joins Jefferson Family

The sight of needles and blood always made Hannah Baronsky queasy. Then, at a friend’s urging, they enrolled in an EMT program together in high school.

Much to her surprise, the Delaware native didn’t flinch when their ambulance raced to the first call, a stabbing. Baronsky originally saw herself in the engineering field, but this experience and many other life-saving moments offered a different perspective.

“It changed my whole pathway to the medical field, and I wanted to broaden my scope,” says Baronsky, who applied to Jefferson’s 4+2 BS in health sciences/MS in physician assistant studies program. “As soon as I saw I got in, I immediately clicked ‘yes.’”

On Aug. 14, she marched down the “welcome walkway” on Jefferson’s East Falls Campus with hundreds of her new classmates and their loved ones. University leadership, faculty, staff and mascot Phil the Ram cheered them on with cowbells and pompoms as they entered the Gallagher Center for Convocation, a celebration that marks their entrance into the Jefferson community.

The 2025 East Falls Campus undergraduate first-year class boasts some 950 students from 23 states and 25 countries, making it the largest incoming class in Jefferson’s 201-year history.

Among them is exercise science student Sydney Artache, who played in the 2024 Women’s World Cup for the Dominican Republic national under-17 team. Clicking with the Jefferson soccer coaches played a big part in Artache attending the University.

She will pursue exercise science after struggling with back and knee injuries in high school. Artache’s physical therapist helped her relieve the pain and return to the pitch, and she wants to help other athletes perform at their best.

“I’m excited to start a new chapter and be independent,” Artache says.

She isn’t the only new Jefferson athlete with experience on the world stage. Biochemistry student and USA Curling Team member Daniel Laufer planned to attend Jefferson last year; however, he deferred due to training and commitments to competing in the 2025 World Junior Curling Championships.

Laufer discovered curling over a decade ago after his dad began playing in 2012. Academically, his love of science and upper-level chemistry classes in high school drew him to biochemistry in college.

Jefferson’s strong science programs and easy access to his curling club and airport for competitions became strong selling points—and the fuel for a possible 2030 or 2034 Olympic run.

After entering the Gallagher Center, the new class heard words of encouragement from current students and Jefferson leadership, including University President Dr. Susan Aldridge.

“For all of you, this Convocation marks a first big step on the unique journey that you have chosen to take with us,” Dr. Aldridge says. “Thomas Jefferson University is a place where your potential will be cultivated and future shaped as you fulfill your purpose and forge all-important connections during what will be a stimulating and transformational academic experience.”

She also acknowledged Jefferson’s recent Bicentennial and two centuries of excellence in higher education and community service.

“This year’s incoming class represents the vanguard of this university’s third century of innovation and influence,” Dr. Aldridge says. “We’re relying on you to help us achieve our mission to improve the lives of people throughout the Philadelphia region, across the United States and around the world.”

In the alumni welcome, Erin Avanzato called herself a “Jefferson lifer.” She graduated from the pre-medical studies program in 2022 and then earned her master in public health in 2023. She’s now a third-year student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College.

“Make this experience your own,” she urged. “College is the perfect time to try new things. Say ‘yes’ to anything that slightly piques your curiosity. The worst-case scenario? It’s not for you, and that’s still a win because you learned something about yourself.”

Student Government Association President Paris Schell reminded new students that failure plays a vital role in the college experience and every stumble represents a step toward something greater.

“As you stand here at the beginning of this extraordinary journey, remember presence is power,” says Schell, a biopsychology student. “Replace doubt with affirmations: I will fall and get back up. I will achieve great things. I will make my mark at Thomas Jefferson University.”

Some students already have a head start. Winners of Jefferson’s Bicentennial Scholarship sat among the sea of new faces in the Gallagher Center. The special merit-based program tied to the University’s 200th anniversary year offered 12 full‑tuition scholarships and 200 half‑tuition scholarships to incoming students across various programs.

Bicentennial Scholarship winner Anneliese Gonzalez became interested in fashion while designing costumes for her high school theater program. She then realized she could turn a passion into a career.

For years, Jefferson’s fashion program has stressed the importance of sustainability. This dedication greatly influenced Gonzalez’s decision to attend the University for fashion merchandising and management.

“I want to work to make the fashion industry a cleaner industry for the world,” she says. “It’s always something that has been important to me.”

Fellow Bicentennial Scholarship winner Amy Gradess says the strong connection she made with Jefferson faculty during open houses and tours sealed the deal for her to attend the University for industrial design. She plans to use her creativity to design furniture and home décor, admitting a mix of excitement and nerves as college begins. “I have to push myself and take a leap of faith,” Gradess says.

Classmate and Bicentennial Scholarship winner Jaqueline Vega looks forward to continuing her education at Jefferson for architecture, a field that has interested her for as long as she can remember.

Vega earned her associate degree in architecture at Northampton Community College and worked at Lehigh Valley Health Network as a nursing unit clerk. In her Bicentennial Scholarship submission, she used her experience to share how architectural design can improve patient care, staff productivity and job satisfaction. 

“On the units, I could observe how all the healthcare providers, patients and visitors use these spaces,” explains Vega, saying she can’t wait to start. “It feels unbelievable. I never pictured something like this happening.”