Alumni Perspectives: What Does It Mean to "Make It" Professionally?

Dr. Seema Schappelle’s career has often intersected the boundaries of science and policy. Currently, Dr. Schappelle serves as a branch chief in the Existing Chemicals Risk Assessment Division (ECRAD) in USEPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). ECRAD is focused on developing risk evaluations for chemicals undergoing safety reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Prior, Seema served as the director of the Exposure Assessment Coordination and Policy Division (EACPD) where she oversaw the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program (EDSP), which utilizes high throughput screening techniques and computational approaches for efficient prioritization of chemicals and pesticides to assess their potential risks to human health and wildlife using alternative test methods. Seema has served as a policy advisor on legislative issues surrounding the environment, energy and agriculture in the U.S. House of Representatives for Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) during the 113th Congress. More recently, she joined foreign service staff in the U.S. Embassy, New Delhi and advised the Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs on environmental and agriculture-related issues impacting India’s population and USG interests.

Dr. Schappelle received her B.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Maryland at College Park. She then attended Johns Hopkins University and earned an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy, and later earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Policy from George Mason University with a research focus in environmental risk communication techniques.

Dr. Stephen Chang started his professional career in the medical field. After his fellowship training at Memorial-Sloan Kettering, he worked in private practice as a breast radiologist before pivoting to medical practice management. He ran a clinical diagnostic laboratory, founded and sold a multispecialty outpatient practice, managed an allied health school, and consulted for McKinsey & Company in their healthcare practice prior to co-founding Acts Financial Advisors (AFA).

At AFA, he works closely with high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients to ensure they’re on track to meeting their financial goals so that they can focus on living their lives in a richly fulfilling personal manner. He holds a CFP® certification as well as an Enrolled Agent professional designation. Dr. Chang is also a licensed insurance producer.

While not working, Dr. Chang enjoys lifting weights, coaching his kids’ basketball teams, watching mediocre DC sports teams, trying new sushi restaurants, performing volunteer financial counseling at his church, and slowly but consistently completing his wife’s honey-do list.

Arbaaz Hashmy is Head of Data Licensing & Sales at Sallie Mae, where he helps universities, brands, and financial institutions connect with the next generation of students through data-driven insights. His career spans education, partnerships, and student finance, with experience in managing business operations across four continents, bridging global learners with the right educational systems.

After earning his MBA from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Arbaaz returned to international student lending, where he led North American operations and global accounts before transitioning fully into B2B sales. Earlier, he built and scaled partnership ecosystems at MPOWER Financing and Credenc, creating new revenue channels and expanding networks across 33 countries.

At Hopkins, he co-led the International Students at Hopkins organization, advocating for a better student experience and stronger community structures for international learners. He continues to mentor students and consults for KlassFellow.com on go-to-market and student experience initiatives.

Arbaaz currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland. Outside of work, he enjoys listening to audiobooks, casual video gaming, experimenting with his mother’s recipes, and following higher education trends. He speaks English, Hindi, and a limited amount of German, and is passionate about education, technology, and data-driven innovation.

Pei Cheng is the Senior Director of Influencer Relations at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the nation’s largest youth mentoring organization. She leads talent engagement across sports and entertainment to advance the mission of youth empowerment.

Through collaborations with celebrities, pro athletes, leading corporate executives, and cultural changemakers, Pei combines her love of pop culture with purpose— creating awareness and impact by building communities of influential voices to inspire action. She drives talent strategy and activation across national media, digital content, speaking engagements, events, campaigns, and youth experiences in collaboration with brands such as the NFL, NBC Universal, and other leading corporate partners, to create reach and relevance.

Prior to BBBSA, Pei worked at the National 4-H Council, helping to revitalize the 100+ year old brand through PR and talent collaborations. She began her career in media, communications, and television production, including as a talent producer at Time Inc., where she booked celebrity and pro-athlete talent for Sports Illustrated and People, as well as other Time Inc properties.

Pei is based in Rockville, Maryland and enjoys traveling, discovering new restaurants, cooking, eating, and binge-watching shows. She is dedicated to mentoring the next generation, paying forward the kindness, encouragement and guidance from the many supporters who have shaped her own journey.