Raisin Weekend, the Charities Campaign and NYC: a lasting connection to St Andrews

Alumni Relations

Tuesday 13 January 2026

Jessica Whiteley (MA 2018) is President of the University of St Andrews New York Alumni Club. She reflects on cherished St Andrews traditions, her time with the Charities Campaign, and her enduring connection to the University.

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, though I was born in London. I always knew that I wanted to return to the UK for university to reconnect with family based there and experience the country as an adult. Scotland wasn’t part of my original plan, but when I received an unconditional offer from the University of St Andrews, I just couldn’t resist. The School of Management (now part of the University of St Andrews Business School) sealed the deal.

From my first visit, the town’s charm was undeniable. I loved the sense of community and the intimacy of a campus woven into a historic seaside town. Compared to the overwhelming scale of big-city universities, St Andrews felt like the perfect fit.

Life in the ‘bubble’ and lasting memories

My first year was a whirlwind of traditions and unforgettable moments. I had an academic family, attended (far too many) balls, and dove headfirst into Raisin Weekend. I even ended up pictured in the Daily Mail dressed as a tequila bottle on Raisin Monday – a fact my dad proudly displayed as his phone screensaver for months! Later, I returned to Raisin as an aunt, which was just as memorable. I even braved the May Dip, although not without a strategic 2am power nap to survive the night.

The Cottage Kitchen was my go-to spot, hosting birthdays and countless catchups. It’s also the spot where I first met my close friend and, by pure coincidence, now neighbour in New York, over a hot chocolate. I lived on Kinnessburn for three years and walking through St Mary’s Quad to watch the seasons change remains as one of my fondest memories.

Some of the memories I hold closest are the dinner parties – these special, lowkey moments with home-cooked food, great wine and fantastic banter will stay with me. The St Andrews traditions gave me experiences I never imagined. Finally stepping on the PH initials at graduation, after four years of superstition, felt like the perfect full-circle moment.

Charities Campaign: purpose and friendship

By second year, I had truly found my place at St Andrews. Joining the Charities Campaign at the Students’ Association introduced me to an incredible group of people united by a passion for giving back. I served on multiple committees, helped raise funds during RAG Week and cheered on Race2 teams at the finish line in Barcelona. In 2018, I revived the Gives Back Awards, celebrating student-led charitable societies for their impact on St Andrews and beyond, and recognising over 20 students.

The friendships I made through Charities have lasted a decade, and are a true testament to the strength of that community. We worked hard, but we also shared countless laughs and nights out. Those years taught me skills I still draw on today: the value of teamwork and purpose-driven leadership.

Building academic foundations

Joining the Management Society gave me my first real taste of the industry and made me stop and think seriously about a career in consulting. My coursework deepened that focus, specialising in the psychology of management. I discovered my passion for people-focused change. The ‘Management of Change’ course led by Dr Cinla Akinci, Senior Lecturer in the School of Management, stands out as a formative experience, and one that continues to influence my work today.

From St Andrews to New York

After graduation, I began my career in technology consulting in San Francisco. When the pandemic prompted reflection, I returned to my roots in people advisory, the very area that inspired me at St Andrews.

Today, I work at EY in New York, where I’m a Manager in EY’s People Consulting Services. I lead strategic organisational change and transformation programmes for Fortune 500 clients, to drive adoption, enable leadership, communicate, train and boost employee engagement. I work with my clients to solve problems and address people concerns, whether they’re implementing new technology, embracing workforce redesign in the wake of AI or looking to improve their HR practices. My time at St Andrews set me up to be successful from both academic and interpersonal perspectives. Life has a funny way of reconnecting you. After moving to New York to continue working for EY, I joined a book club run by a close neighbour and classmate from Kinnessburn Road and formed a cookbook club with three friends from my year. I love embracing this New York chapter, with a little ‘St Andrews’ in my back pocket.

Leading the alumni community

When I moved to New York, I sought out the alumni network as a way to build connections and reconnect to the St Andrews chapter of my life. I was aware of the University of St Andrews New York Alumni Club and saw that Principal Sally Mapstone was visiting for an event. At the pre-event election, I ran for a position on the Alumni Club Executive Committee (a spur-of-the-moment but fantastic decision). I was elected Vice-President of the Club, and later, took over as President. I’m now in my second term as President.

The Club offers a vibrant community for alumni across industries. Our monthly happy hours provide a relaxed space to share stories and forge friendships. We also focus on supporting current students through initiatives like the Winter Break Careers Trek and summer internships, helping the next generation build their own St Andrews stories. We also host a variety of events throughout the year, including Burns Night in January, ‘Welcome to the City’ in September and a holiday social. St Andrews shaped who I am today. Its traditions, friendships and lessons continue to influence my life and career. Living in New York, I feel closer than ever to those formative years, and I am proud to help keep our global alumni community thriving.

If you’d like to connect, you can find me on LinkedIn. If you’d like to follow the New York Alumni Club, you can find on Instagram us at @StAndrewsAlumniClubnyc or email us at [email protected].