Arielle
Berman
FACE #20
Neuropsychologist
What was your path/journey after you graduated from Cornell?
After graduating from Cornell, I spent some wonderful years working in Boston before moving to Chicago, where I completed my Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Loyola University. I then completed an internship and post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Hospital. Afterwards, I settled in West Hartford, Connecticut, with my husband, raising our two boys, working in a group practice and taking on an adjunct faculty role at UConn Medical School, where I supervised post-doctoral fellows in pediatric neuropsychology.
About twelve years ago, my husband and I decided to take a leap and move back to Chicago. We now live in Old Town/Lincoln Park. I have a private practice here, specializing in pediatric neuropsychology evaluations, and I genuinely love my work—it is both fulfilling and meaningful. My husband and I are both in the mental health field, which feels like such a rewarding way to make a difference.
Our oldest son, Nate, is currently a senior at Amherst College, and our youngest, Skyler, just started his freshman year at Cornell. My husband and I are embracing this new chapter of life as empty nesters by trying new restaurants with friends, going to plays and the opera, and exploring Chicago. Since turning 40, I have completed a few Midwest marathons, and they have felt like amazing accomplishments. I am now looking forward to this next phase of life and the joys, challenges and adventures it will bring!
What WAS your favorite Class at Cornell? In retrospect, what has proven to be your most useful class from Cornell?
One of my absolute favorite - and most useful - classes at Cornell was “Close Relationships Across the Lifespan,” taught by Dr. Cindy Hazan. The course was offered through the Department of Human Development and Family Studies in Human Ecology. It explored how romantic and non-romantic relationships shape our physical and mental health, how they evolve over time and how they present across cultures. The class was engaging and insightful and very relevant. And Dr. Hazan was one of those beloved, warm and engaging professors who made her students excited to come to class.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Cornell?
Some of my favorite memories include spending down time in my freshman dorm (Class of ’17), talking with my floor-mates and feeling part of a wonderful group of people. Some of them are still my closest friends. I also remember the huge blizzard we had our sophomore year and seeing people cross-country ski through college town! Other favorite memories include Hot Truck, the feeling of achievement after climbing to the top of Libe Slope in the morning on the way to classes, the bells chiming, and the view of Ithaca at night from the top of Libe slope.
What random or surprising encounters with Cornell, or Cornellians, have you experienced since you left?
It was a hugely sentimental experience returning to campus this fall to move my son in. Even though there were some things that were different on campus (including many new buildings, no more U-Halls, and freshmen residing on North campus instead of West campus), the overall environment was very similar to when we were college students. It was a comforting feeling knowing that, even though decades have passed, and I am now a lot older, Cornell itself has remained the same special place.