Valuing Teachers as Mentors: 2016 Alumna Shares Note of Gratitude

The guidance and support of Hamden Hall faculty shaped the higher education pathway and professional development for Class of 2016 alumna Xuran “Angela” Wang.  She now reflects on the importance of mentorship and the experiences that shaped her beyond the classroom.

“As an international student, Margaret Wei played a significant role in shaping my experience at Hamden Hall and within the community,” noted Angela. “She provided me with help when I needed it, which made me feel supported. She also organized events for international students that enhanced the overall experience of Hamden Hall for myself and other students.”

Along with Ms. Wei, former administrator and college counselor Fred Richter aided in Angela’s journey as he recommended that she apply to Babson College, which is where she discovered her passion for business. Outside of academics, Angela credits former tennis coaches and faculty members Arnold Sabatelli and Peter Flamm for inspiring her love of the game.

Angela graduated from Babson College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business analytics and finance. During her time in undergrad, Angela interned at Crowninshield Financial Research in Boston, Mass., as a summer analyst and co-founded a start-up called Go Zone, which provided on-campus delivery of food and other products to Babson students. The student-driven business generated over $1,000 in revenue. She went on to obtain her Master of Science degree in business analytics from the University of California, Davis, in 2021 and a Master of Science degree in computer information technology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2023.

Angela began her professional career as a data analyst at Angel Flight West in San Francisco, Calif. In her role, Angela analyzed performance metrics, defined key performance indicators (KPIs) and collaborated with functional heads to develop and present strategic plans to stakeholders, potentially improving monthly customer retention. Additionally, she was tasked with building interactive Tableau dashboards to visualize and track flight performance metrics and yearly mission progress. Over the next three years, she successfully transitioned to other high-tech companies including CircleUp as a data analyst and LexisNexis as a senior data analyst.

In 2024, Angela assumed the role of product support manager at Google where she focuses on enhancing the user experience on Workspace products including Gmail, Calendar, and Chat. She notes that the company is fast-paced and staying in the forefront of innovation remains a key factor for her and her co-workers. She also refers to herself as “an advocate for the user voice,” in using data for product rollouts and new feature introductions.

Angela lives in San Francisco, Calif., where she takes advantage of the warm weather for dining experiences and outdoor activities such as hiking and tennis. As she continues in her professional career, Angela advises current Hamden Hall students and recent graduates to take advantage of internship opportunities.

“Internships are very important as they give you a sense of the real world, while you are starting out, and help you gain valuable skills for your career,” noted Angela.