Where will St. Mike’s 2026 seniors go next? Spotlight on Alexa Roux ’26

Alexa Roux ’26 (Courtesy of Alexa Roux)

After graduating from Saint Michael’s College in May, Alexa Roux ’26 will pursue a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. 

Specifically, the Manchester, New Hampshire, native will be working toward a degree in materials chemistry. This science is defined as the study of materials at the molecular or atomic level in order to design, synthesize, or control their properties. This field incorporates knowledge from a variety of scientific studies, such as chemistry and physics. 

At Saint Michael’s, Roux is completing a double major in Chemistry and Environmental Science. 

Roux recently shared some key takeaways from her time at St. Mike’s, as well as what she is looking forward to at Johns Hopkins and beyond.

The following Q&A interview has been lightly edited for style and clarity.

Saint Michael’s College: What are your career/education plans after graduating from Saint Michael’s College? 

Alexa Roux: After St. Mike’s, I am pursuing a doctoral degree in Materials Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University.

SMC: How did Saint Michael’s College support you to get to this point? 

AR: SMC has helped me get to this point from all its support, both academically and interpersonally. Examples of this include encouragement from faculty to undertake research projects, shared excitement about these projects, and suggestions by professors to apply for/do things I didn’t have the confidence to do myself. 

In my junior seminar, Dr. (Trish) Siplon (of the Political Science Department) extensively encouraged my class to apply for the Freeman Foundation. I had never considered this before the conversation, but applied and got in. As a result, I spent eight weeks in Seoul, South Korea, interning at a nanoparticle engineering lab. I believe that this achievement set the stage for my preparedness and acceptance in materials Ph.D. programs, as well as solidifying my personal interest in the materials science world.

SMC: What will you take with you into post-grad life from your education at Saint Michael’s? 

AR: Post-grad, I feel really fortunate to take the nuanced and liberal arts ideology of learning from Saint Mike’s with me. I believe my training in the hard sciences, supplemented with SMC core curricula and the liberal arts education, gives me a major advantage over more classically trained chemists. I feel proud to be a scientist rooted in ethical practices, and credit a major part of this to college and the wonderful coursework we are exposed to as students. 

SMC: What are you most looking forward to after graduation?  

AR: After graduation, I am most looking forward to moving to the D.C. area and starting my studies at JHU!

SMC: Do you have a career/education goal for the next five years? 

AR: In the next five years, my goals include completing my Ph.D. and securing a job in the industry working to improve renewable energy technologies via artificial photosynthesis.