Mallory Kolodziej, an alumna of Lake Forest College’s Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) program, found a solution to her diverse academic interests within the program’s adaptable curriculum. As a musician, writer, and former nonprofit director, Kolodziej was torn between pursuing graduate degrees in various fields. The MLS program provided her with the flexibility to explore a wide range of disciplines, from philosophy to the arts.Mallory Kolodziej, an alumna of Lake Forest College’s Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) program, found a solution to her diverse academic interests within the program’s adaptable curriculum. As a musician, writer, and former nonprofit director, Kolodziej was torn between pursuing graduate degrees in various fields. The MLS program provided her with the flexibility to explore a wide range of disciplines, from philosophy to the arts. During her time in the program, Kolodziej delved into independent studies with Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Politics Chad McCracken, preparing herself for success in her career and future Ph.D. studies. She now holds a position as Director of Development-Corporate Relations at the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund and is pursuing a doctorate in leadership and innovation at Purdue University. Kolodziej credits the MLS program with expanding her knowledge base and enhancing her songwriting skills. Her band, wht.rrbt.obj, has gained recognition from notable publications like Rolling Stone magazine. She highly recommends the MLS program to anyone seeking flexibility, understanding, and a thirst for knowledge.
Lake Forest College’s Master of Liberal Studies program caters to students’ interests and prepares them for a wide range of success. For Mallory Kolodziej MLS ’23, the highly adaptable program has had an impact on all areas of life.
When Kolodziej was looking for options for her master’s degree, she faced a problem that many big dreams face: She wanted to do so much, there were so many branching paths, and she wasn’t sure how to approach her many goals. Lake Forest College’s Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) program offered her a space to deepen her interests and prepare for a PhD on her own terms.
A gifted musician who leads the band wht.rrbt.obj (pronounced white rabbit object) and New York Times Kolodziej, co-author of a best-selling book with Lady Gaga, was working as the Director of Events, Communications and Video Production at a nonprofit called A Safe Place when she decided to begin her MLS journey at Lake Forest College.
“When I enrolled in the MLS program, it was less about work and more about my desire to further my education, as I have always been someone who is an avid consumer of knowledge,” Kolodziej said. “I knew that by pursuing the MLS degree, I would be able to satisfy my ongoing hunger for knowledge.”
The Master of Liberal Studies degree program is one of two advanced degrees offered by Lake Forest College. The MLS curriculum offers students the opportunity to explore a wide range of disciplines, from literature, social history, and philosophy to the sciences and the arts. MLS graduates have gone on to succeed in nonprofit and educational sectors, receive promotions in existing jobs, and go on to earn a PhD.
Kolodziej always knew she wanted to pursue graduate school. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in medieval literature from Loyola University Chicago before deciding to pursue graduate school. She worked in the nonprofit sector for a few years while focusing on music and writing. Because of her diverse interests, she felt conflicted when trying to choose just one for her graduate studies.
“I had so many areas of interest and thoughts about getting a master’s degree in music, English, or something that was more focused on my nonprofit work,” she explained. “The reason I was so drawn to Lake Forest College’s MLS program was because it didn’t force me to choose a specific major. I could look at the breadth and depth of subjects that worked together.”
As part of her MLS degree, Kolodziej completed two independent studies with assistant professor of philosophy and politics Chad McCracken. Kolodziej used her time in the program to prepare herself for success in her career and studies. She now works as the director of development-corporate relations at the Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund while enrolled in the doctoral program in leadership and innovation at Purdue University.
The Lake Forest College MLS approach “allowed me to immerse myself in different mindsets and use that knowledge to make a more informed decision about my doctoral program,” she said. “It opened the door to a really solid foundation for getting accepted into a doctoral program at Purdue.”
Kolodziej will complete her PhD in October 2025. Her band wht.rbbt.obj is also enjoying success, having received their first mention in Rolling stone magazine earlier this month. More mentions of the band will follow in the future, as the MLS program has honed her songwriting skills, Kolodziej said.
“My band wht.rbbt.obj has really taken off, which is really cool. During my time with Lake Forest and after, we headlined Summerfest in Milwaukee, played SXSW last year, and put out two EPs. It’s been a lot of fun,” she said. “Another thing the MLS program has given me is the ability to think more critically as a songwriter and strengthen my songwriting skills.”
Kolodziej can’t recommend the Master of Liberal Studies program enough, even calling it “Lake County’s best-kept secret.”
“The beauty of the MLS program was that it created a nonjudgmental space to explore different perspectives,” Kolodziej said. “It’s the perfect program for anyone who is looking for flexibility, understanding, gaining knowledge, and sharing knowledge. This program is for everyone.”
