On January 14, Windward welcomed alumna Niki Gianopulos ’23 back to campus to speak informally with Phaizon Wood’s Honors Psychology Capstone class. Now a psychology major at Boston College, Niki shared insights from her undergraduate coursework and current research, offering students a firsthand look at how their work at Windward translates to college-level study.
During the visit, Niki reflected on the contrast between Windward’s small, discussion-based classes and the large general education courses she now encounters—some with hundreds of students. “Being around teachers who are so vocally invested in what you’re learning and your life in general is incredibly unique, even in high school,” she shared, emphasizing how Windward prepared her to engage confidently with professors and academic material.
Niki also spoke about her academic work beyond the classroom. Her Windward capstone focused on "The Impact of Substance Use on Family Members," and she continues to explore mental health topics through her research and internships. At a recent internship, she authored a paper titled Understudied and Undersupported: How Gaps in Research and Bedside Care Harm Maternal Mental Health, which was published in the Fall 2025 issue of Boston College’s Medical Humanities Journal—a milestone that underscored the lasting influence of her Windward foundation.