Julianna Marton ’25 always knew exactly where she was headed: around the world. That global ambition led her to Franklin & Marshall, where she graduated with a custom degree blending government, international studies, and French. Today, Marton is pursuing a master’s degree at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

“I think if my first-year self could see me now, she would be very impressed and proud that I stayed on this path, and that I’ve only grown more passionate about it,” she said.

Marton is a member of F&M’s Class of 2025. Within six months after graduation, 92% of the Class of 2025 were either employed or furthering their education. This is higher than the national average, which is typically in the mid-80% range.

Julianna Marton ’25

Joint major: Government and international studies

Minor: French

Pursuing: Master's in international relations at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies

What did the first six months after graduating from F&M look like?

I graduated F&M a semester early, in December 2024, and moved home to New Jersey. After graduation, I applied to master’s programs in international relations, finished final edits on my government honors thesis, and took virtual economics classes to prepare for graduate school. I also spent time traveling to visit friends in Boston, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Lancaster – I got to visit campus and see my professors and friends a couple of times before I came back in May 2025 to walk at graduation with my classmates. I then spent the summer traveling with friends and preparing to start the first year of my master’s degree at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and moved to Bologna, Italy, in early August!

How did your F&M experience prepare you for where you are now?

My time at F&M prepared me so well for graduate school. When I first started classes at SAIS, I was struck by how similar the classroom environment felt to F&M: small classes, professors who know you and care about you, and high academic expectations. At F&M, I always pursued what I was interested in – government, international studies and international relations, French, and my own research – and I’ve been doing the same at SAIS, where I focus on governance and Europe. Balancing the workload and rigor of my classes at F&M with work and extracurriculars (Kappa Delta, student government, College Democrats, and the Educational Policy Committee) taught me how to prioritize and manage my time, which has definitely come in handy. I’ve also been lucky to continue connecting with fellow F&M alums who have also attended SAIS, and who have always taken the time to answer my questions and pass along their enthusiasm.

How does your current path compare to what you envisioned in your first year at F&M?

Surprisingly enough, my path today looks almost exactly like I hoped it would when I first came to F&M. When I got to college in 2021, I knew I wanted to major in government and international studies (my first semester, I took “International Politics”) and minor in French, and that’s exactly what I did. I was very lucky to have professors (especially Professors Jennifer Kibbe, Stephanie McNulty, Zeshan Ismat, Douglas Anthony, Carrie Landfried, and Nadra Hebouche) and mentors who believed in me and pushed me to learn and do more every semester. My first year at F&M, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do post-grad, but I knew I wanted to go to some form of graduate school. I think if my first-year self could see me now, she would be very impressed and proud that I stayed on this path, and that I’ve only grown more passionate about it.

Looking back on your college search, why did you choose F&M?

I had a lot of reasons for choosing F&M, some of them more profound than others. Growing up in the New York City area, it was just far enough from home for me, and on an Amtrak line that made traveling home for the holidays easy. When I visited in the spring of 2021 for an admitted student tour, I fell in love with campus and with Lancaster. It was the last college tour I ever took, and I was immediately excited to come back in the fall. Plus, I knew what I wanted to study and heard lots of great things about the government department and its classes, many of which ended up being my favorites throughout my time at F&M.

What advice would you share with the incoming Class of 2030?

First, I would say to always be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. The F&M community is so tight-knit, and there are always life-changing opportunities around the corner. When I first got to college, I never imagined being on a sorority executive board or being a class preceptor, but both of these experiences were amazing and shaped not just my time in college, but also the opportunities I’ve had since.

Second, go to office hours! I have so many good memories of getting to know my professors after class or in office hours. Not only did I learn more about the material, but I got to have conversations that continue to inspire me personally and academically.

And lastly, take it all in and enjoy not just your time at school, but in Lancaster! Explore the city and get to know the community and your neighbors. Now having spent a year living in Italy, I’m so excited to come back for True Blue Weekend and see everything.

 

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